Research will engage more people when more people see themselves as researchers

In its original meaning, Research was a verb that meant ‘Go Seek.’ If we reclaim this original understanding, research will be understood as an action in which anyone can engage. Reclaiming this definition will counteract the sense of elitism and exclusion associated with the word ‘research’, and more people will understand themselves to be welcome as researchers: unique individuals with their own knowledge and practices who, no matter if they are just starting or senior researchers, are valued on this journey to Go Seek. With this reclaimed definition, we will grow the culture and number of practitioners of research. Merle Massie is an award-winning author and historian, specializing in western Canadian local, rural, environmental, and medical history. She and her husband farm in west-central Saskatchewan, on land that sits on the edge between Blackfoot and Cree traditional territory. Massie works at the University of Saskatchewan as the Coordinator, Undergraduate Research Initiatives in the Office of the Vice-President Research and is a Professional Research Associate with the School of Environment and Sustainability at USask. In her spare time, Massie is an avid reader, camper, skier, paddler, baker, gardener, and thrower-of-things-for-puppies-to-fetch. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx