Research Proposal
Research Proposal
Listed below are the steps that one must take in order to prepare a well-rounded application. Note that applications to the Ricci Scholars Program are due by the annual deadline date.
1. Consider your academic passions and what you would like to explore in Italy and East Asia. This will help frame your research proposal.
a. As a Ricci Scholar, you will conduct comparative research in Italy and East Asia. Comparative research seeks to compare and contrast nations, cultures, societies, and institutions.
b. Ricci Scholars have explored a wide variety of topics: economics, society, culture, gender, politics, technology, religion, language, environmental studies, etc.
2. Connect with a faculty mentor in Chicago whose work aligns with your research topic.
a. Reach out to a faculty member who may have similar research interests.
b. The faculty mentor doesn't need to be an expert in either Italian or Asian culture.
c. The faculty mentor should be someone with whom you feel comfortable working with.
d. Discuss your research idea with faculty mentor to receive tips and feedback.
3. Write a proposal, which is typically 2-4 pages.
a. 1st paragraph: the larger issue/problem that you would like to explore
b. 2nd paragraph: the more narrowly focused project that you will pursue in order to illuminate the larger topic
c. 3rd paragraph: the questions that you will seek to address in your research
d. 4th paragraph: Some discussion of the existing literature on the topic
4. Communicate with Dr. Noah Butler during your application process. He will provide feedback and pointers to students during their proposal preparation.
Previous Student Projects
Below are examples of previous research projects from prior years in which Ricci Scholars studied in Rome, Italy, in Beijing, China, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Mielke, Benjamin. (2021). The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison of Coping Mechanisms Utilized by Small Businesses in Italy and Vietnam.
Chipman, Samantha. (2020). Religiosity and Rites: Death and Dying in Italy and Vietnam.
Mitchell, Emma. (2020). Catholic Seminaries in Rome and Ho Chi Minh City.
Peterson, Abigail. (2020). Digital Advertising and Consumer Protection in Italy and Vietnam.
Dover, Patrick J. (2019). Deaf Education in the East and West.
Horiuchi, Madeline. (2019). Female Entrepreneurship in Italy and Vietnam.
Miller, Alaina. (2018). The Impacts of Gentrification on the Availability and Affordability of Migrant Housing in Rome and Beijing.
Mohammadi, Rosie. (2018). Is Nature a Feminist Issue?: The Role of Ecofeminism in Italian and Chinese Environmental Movements.
Muszynski, Olivia. (2018). The Real Estate Investment Trust Model: How Rome and Beijing Leverage Commercial Real Estate Taxation for Investment.
Walcutt, Matthew. (2018). The Effects of Deindustrialization on Labor Unions in Rome and Beijing.
Benson, Christopher. (2014). The Culture of Compliance in Italy and China: An Exploratory Study into Several Factors Preventing Voluntary Compliance to Income Tax Law and Extrapolations of their Significance.
Burghard, Jennifer. (2014). Studying the Usage of Technology in the Classroom Across Cultures.
Davis, Zachary. (2014). Catholic Funeral Culture Examined in Rome and Beijing.
Jreisat, Virginia. (2014). Women and the Role of Sexism in Economic Representation: Italy and China.
Steffek, Will. (2014). A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Italian and Chinese Home and Family Life.
Whitaker, Corinne. (2014). Vegetarian and Vegan Food Choice Ideology: A Comparative Study of Italian and Chinese Society.
Zaffar, Taha. (2014). In the Face of Adversity: A Comparative Look at Education-Labor Transitions in Rome & China.
DeGrazia, Claire. (2013). Trust on the Table: Italy and China’s Appetizing and Diverse Response to Globalization.
Geusz, Katherine. (2013). Chinese Businesses in Italy, Italian Businesses in China, and Reflections on the Future of Sino-Western Economic Relations.
Palla, Benjamin. (2013). Comparison of Italian and Chinese Oral Healthcare: Impacts on Oral Health.
