University of Ottawa Psychedelic Studies
Major Research Paper Process
Get ready to dive deep into your passion for Psychedelics and Consciousness Studies (PCS) with an exciting opportunity to craft your major research paper! Under the guidance of our dedicated PCS faculty, you'll explore a topic that fascinates you and contribute original insights to the field in MRP 6999.
Before you begin, make sure you've completed all your other program requirements. This course is a one-term journey, where you'll focus intensely on your research for just one semester.
Your paper will be a comprehensive exploration, up to 50 pages, including figures, tables, illustrations, and references. You can build on a topic from your previous academic work or embark on a special project, with approval from the program director. Your supervisor will guide you, helping you push your research to new heights. From the start, your supervisor will provide a reading list to kickstart your research and support you in meeting the final deadline, which is the last day of the official exam period. Your hard work will be rewarded with a grade of Satisfactory (S) or Not Satisfactory (NS), determined by both your supervisor and another professor.
This is your chance to showcase your ability to perform independent, graduate-level research and make a meaningful contribution to the PCS field. We can't wait to see what you'll discover and create!
University of Ottawa Psychedelic Studies
Faculty Currently Accepting MRP Students
Cory Harris, PhD
Associate ProfessorBiology
Dr. Harris is available to supervise an MRP student in topics related to psychedelics, ethnopharmacology, and ethnobiology. Students should expect to meet regularly with Dr. Harris to review progress.
Cary Kogan, PhD
ProfessorPsychology
Dr. Kogan is available to supervise an MRP student in topics related to psychedelic medicine or therapy. Students should expect to meet regularly with Dr. Kogan to review progress.
Joseph La Torre, PhD
PsychologyUniversity of Washington
Dr. La Torre is available to supervise 1-2 MRP students in topics related to psychedelics and consciousness, Indigenous psychedelic practices, ethical issues in psychedelic studies, and accessibility and inclusion. Students should expect to meet every other week with Dr. La Torre to review progress.
Anne Vallely, PhD
Associate ProfessorClassics & Religious Studies
Dr. Vallely will be accepting 1 student for the MRP semester. Students must choose a topic related to psychedelics and spirituality or end-of-life issues. Students should expect to meet every other week with Dr. Vallely to review progress. Students typically publish their MRP, and as such, the final paper should be of publishable quality for a relevant journal.
Sonya Faber, PhD, MBA
NeuroscientistBioville GmbH
Dr. Faber is available to supervise one Major Research Paper (MRP 6999) annually. This will require you to produce a research paper of publishable quality, allowing you to make a meaningful contribution to the field. If your interests include the workings of neuroscience or the implications of psychedelics for social justice, Dr. Faber is prepared to supervise your research. Please check her homepage for more information.
Monnica Williams, PhD
ProfessorPsychology
Dr. Williams will be accepting 1-2 students for the MRP semester. Students must choose a topic in line with an existing project in Dr. Williams lab. Students must be able to attend weekly lab meetings and work with lab members as needed. All students are expected to publish their MRP, and as such, the final paper should be of publishable quality in a psychological journal for a passing grade. Please see the Culture and Mental Health Disparities website for more information about current projects.
Nicole Racine, PhD
Assistant ProfessorPsychology
Dr. Racine is available to supervise an MRP student who is interested in exploring the use of psychedelics for treating PTSD related to child trauma or potentially exploring the use in children. They could do a systematic review or meta-analysis. Students should expect to meet regularly with Dr. Racine to review progress.