The Master of Arts in Museology requires that students complete a thesis. They may choose either a research or project thesis. We’re talking with some of our second-year students who are deep in thesis work right now to get their perspectives on what they are learning. Museology Communications and Marketing Assistant Xavier Lucas-Cooper (’27) spoke with Grace Vallecillo-Drews (’26) about her thesis work.
How did you arrive at your thesis topic and how much did it change over time?
I actually started thinking about thesis long before we were asked to! I had a general topic of interest in mind before I even joined the Museology program because I had very specific post-graduate goals. However, I was also conscientious of the fact that my time in class and my experiences as a graduate student would impact my thoughts and interests, and thus inevitably help shape my final topic as well. At the beginning of my first quarter, one of our faculty members, Lane Eagles, suggested that we keep a list of concepts, readings, questions or ideas that piqued our interest, and to use that to inform our thesis topic brainstorming the next year. That was truly invaluable advice to me. When it was time to start thinking about a thesis topic, I was able to look back at a year of what I call my “thesis scribbles” and hone in on something that was not only exciting to me, but in line with my general topic of interest, relevant to the field I wanted to be a part of in the future, and feasible to explore in one year. Since I had this list prepared, I was able to spend more time in conversation with my professors workshopping a very clear thesis topic from the get-go. As a result, what I pitched in my proposal presentation in the spring of my first year is still what I am working on, so it hasn’t changed very much. For all of this, I am very grateful, as I was able to dive right in from the onset of my second year!
How has doing a research thesis changed your views on the museum field?
I don’t know that I would say research thesis has changed my views on the museum field per se, but rather, I find myself pleasantly validated in my desire to be a member of this field, and I certainly know more about particular opportunities than I did before I started. I have been offered nothing but the most kindness and support by professionals in the museum field as I have undertaken my thesis; and in doing my research, which aligns very closely with my own career interests, I simply find myself incredibly engaged by the work being done, and all the more eager to be a part of it in the future!
What has kept you motivated when things got tough?
My three main motivators are my own innate curiosity, a profound sense of gratitude, and my community. I am a deeply curious person to my core, and I love the work that I am doing in this program, to the point where it really doesn’t feel like work to me. With that, comes a deep well of gratitude, because no matter how tired I may be, or how frustrating something might be, this is exactly what I want to be doing. I chose to be here, and it is such an immense privilege to have this time to learn about and explore at length a topic that I care very deeply about. I am also blessed with an incredible support system of family members, friends, mentors and teachers. Even when times are difficult, or I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing, they remind me who I am, and where I want to go, and it is with their support, love and knowledge that I am able to continue doing this work that I love.
What fear did you outgrow?
Research thesis involves putting yourself out there and reaching out to a lot of different kinds of people. This may include individuals you may admire, or who are at the top of their field, or who hold a deep knowledge on your topic. It can be genuinely terrifying to reach out to them to ask them to participate in your study. When I was starting, I worried about whether they would feel I was wasting their time, or if they would want to talk to me (a mere student!), and I shouldn’t have. What I have found is that most people are truly wonderful, and museum people, especially, love to support you if they are able to and share their knowledge with you. It doesn’t make the reaching out any less nerve-wracking, but there is a comfort in knowing that you will not be perceived as foolish because you care deeply about something and want to connect with people who feel the same. After all, the worst that can happen is they don’t respond or they say they don’t have the time. The best that can happen, is you make genuine connections with people who are as passionate about your topic as you are!
How do you think you’ll utilize the knowledge gained from your thesis after you graduate?
I haven’t even graduated yet and the knowledge gained from my thesis is already informing my thoughts, pathways of curiosity and professional pursuits. I have lists of new ideas, questions and directions I would be interested in exploring, and my reading list is exponentially longer. Since I chose a topic that relates to the field I want to get into, I feel very fortunate to have already begun making connections with people I have long admired, and to be having conversations with these folks about how they view the field, what concerns they have, what they’re excited about, etc. They have been able to point me to programs, institutions and other people doing work I am interested in, and I know so much more about the nuances and behind-the-scenes than I did before. This in turn, has provided me with lots of food for thought, and I am grateful and excited to see where this all takes me after I graduate.
What version of yourself started your research, and what version of yourself are you now?
The version of me that started this research and the version that I am now are, frankly, more or less the same ~ I was and am an intellectual and creative who is deeply passionate, hopeful for the future, ravenous for knowledge, and excited to see where these experiences take me. The biggest difference is that I can see how limited my understanding of the field was when I started, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to learn. It’s a delight to look back on the last two years and see just how much I didn’t know that I didn’t know! I now have an even richer understanding of the way the field works, as well a clearer focus and new directionality; and as such, I look forward to continuing to be challenged, taught, and inspired but those around me as I navigate the future as a budding museum professional.