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4 months ago in Graduate Education By Kanika

How do i actually find a phd mentor in space research?

I want to do a PhD in space science or space policy, but I don't come from an academic family and I have no idea how to find a mentor. Where do I even start?

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By Jasmin Answered 3 months ago

Start with papers. Find authors whose work excites you, read them closely, and email them with specific, intelligent questions. Not "will you be my mentor"—that's too much. But "I read your 2022 paper on X and was wondering about Y" that's a conversation starter. Join professional societies (AIAA, IAF, Space Renaissance). Attend conferences, even virtually. Use LinkedIn and ResearchGate to follow scholars. Apply to programs with strong space groups. Mentorships are built, not awarded. Show initiative, show curiosity, and the right people will notice.

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