Hi everyone!
I’m a researcher and educator based in Brazil preparing to apply for PhD in Education programs in the U.S., and I’m looking for advice from faculty/PIs.
As I explore programs and research groups, I’d like to get involved in a research project or initiative remotely before starting a PhD. Ideally, I’d like to contribute voluntarily as a research assistant or collaborator to support a PI’s ongoing work, gain experience, and build research relationships.
I’m trying to understand how realistic this is, and how people typically go about it.
- Do PIs ever take on remote volunteer research collaborators who are not current students at their institution?
- If so, what is the best way to approach faculty without seeming intrusive?
- Would you recommend reaching out directly to professors whose work aligns with mine, or are there more formal channels I should pursue?
- Are there particular types of tasks (literature reviews, data coding, translation, research assistance, etc.) where remote volunteer support is more welcome?
For context, my interests are in education, comparative education, education policy, and global education.
I’d be very grateful for any advice, especially from professors or PIs who have mentored collaborators in similar situations.