For my writing center research project, I’m considering two options. The first option is a mixed-methods qualitative and quantitative study that seeks to describe how writing centers portray their work with graduate students. I would gather data from a sample of writing center websites from across the country. Relevant data points might include whether they mention graduate students at all, how much of their website is devoted to graduate tutoring (e.g., an entire page, etc.), whether they explicitly mention graduate consultants, and whether they hold events for graduate students, such as dissertation boot camps. The project’s goal would be to describe how writing centers advertise to and talk about graduate students in public-facing materials, which would fit in larger conversations in the field about working with specialized writing and graduate students generally.
Overall, this first option is a little safer because it’s more straightforward and, honestly, easier to do. However, I’m also trying to think about whether I can incorporate my personal research interests into the project. Broadly, I am interested in place studies and how feelings of displacement can affect writers. I am not sure how I would transform this into a research project, but I think a theory-based approach would be the best bet. I still need to do more brainstorming, which is why this option is not as “safe” as the first option. Although it is deeply personally interesting, I don’t have a very strong background in place studies yet so I’m not sure I’d be able to incorporate theories (although I am in an independent study right now that is filling in the gaps in my knowledge).
Writing Center/Writing Charlotte 
I honestly think the second option sounds more interesting, Charlotte, but there’s no denying that it would be a bit harder! As long as you had some theory to bring in, that’d be fine, but I think you’d find out more interesting material by talking to actual writers who are experiencing feelings of displacement. Perhaps you could connect with international student writers who have visited the Writing Center and conduct interviews with them to explore how place, identity, and their writing intersect. You don’t have to pursue this option if you don’t want to, but I suspect you might find it more rewarding.
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