One of the most important aspects in learning how to do research is early and detailed discussions on various aspects of the research plan with experienced mentors. Unfortunately, most students get little feedback on their thesis at the initial stages except from their immediate advisors. Attending conferences can be a good way to meet other researchers and discuss work. However, the chances of a student at an early stage of his/her work getting the opportunity to discuss their preliminary ideas with well established researchers are not very good. The Doctoral Consortium (DC) at the American Association for Artificial Intelligence conference was planned as a way to improve this situation. Students about to begin their thesis work are chosen to present their research plans in front of a group of carefully selected faculty panelists. Unlike traditional conference presentations, the bulk of the time in a DC is devoted to discussions between the students and the faculty panelists. Each student is also assigned a faculty mentor who works with the student at a more detailed level. Students learn from both their own presentations as well as watching other students being advised by the faculty panelists. A survey taken after the first DC held last year found all participants (both students and faculty) agreeing that the DC was tremendously useful. We anticipate that all students attending the DC this year (both as presenters as well as those just attending) will leave with renewed confidence in their work, suggestions for improving their thesis plans and a clearer idea of what constitutes good research practice.
