Research programme
The John Locke Research Programme offers exceptional students the opportunity to undertake a rigorous, one-on-one academic research project under the close supervision of a scholar from a world-class university. Over the course of twelve weeks, students will explore a topic of their choosing in depth—engaging with primary texts, developing their own arguments, and producing a university-style research paper that reflects both intellectual ambition and scholarly discipline.
Expert Mentorship
Participants are paired—based on their preferences—with either a professor or a doctoral researcher from Oxford, Cambridge, or an Ivy League university. These mentors provide expert guidance through every stage of the research process, offering critical feedback, methodological insight, and meaningful intellectual companionship throughout the programme.
Independent Inquiry
​The programme is designed for intellectually curious students who want to go beyond the standard curriculum and engage in the kind of self-directed inquiry that defines the life of the mind. Whether refining their academic interests or pursuing a question that matters deeply to them, students are trained in scholarly rigor and critical thinking.
Publishing Opportunities
Highly successful students may be offered the chance to pursue academic publication, with guidance and support from both their mentors and the Institute’s editorial staff. This opportunity allows outstanding work to reach a broader audience, while giving students valuable experience in how real academic publishing works.
Tailored Pathways
Graduates of the programme leave with a polished academic paper and a deeper understanding of genuine scholarship. To match each student’s ambition and academic maturity, the John Locke Research Programme offers two distinct pathways: the Aristotle Track, with doctoral mentors, and the Plato Track, which pairs students with professors.
Two Tailored options
The Aristotle Track pairs students with doctoral researchers from Oxford, Cambridge, or Ivy League universities—emerging scholars at the forefront of their fields.
The Plato Track offers our most ambitious students the chance to work with university professors as intellectual peers. Students may select their preferred track when applying to the programme.
Both tracks uphold the John Locke Institute’s commitment to academic excellence, intellectual integrity, and the cultivation of independent thought. Students may indicate their preference at the time of application.
Q. Will the programme take place online?
A. Yes, it's a fully remote programme.
Q. What are the age requirements for the programme?
A. The programme is best suited for high school students (Grades 9-12). However, if you are a gifted and highly motivated middle school student, an undergraduate, or a postgraduate student, we'd be happy to consider your fit for the program on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please email us at research.programme@johnlocke.com.
Q. Do I need to have a research topic in mind before I begin?
A. While some students enter the programme with a specific question in mind, we do not expect students to come into the Research Programme with a clearly defined research question. Your research topic will be developed and refined through discussion and exploration during the early weeks of the programme. With your mentor’s guidance, you will settle on a well-formulated research question by the end of week four. The second half of the programme is then devoted to crafting a research proposal, producing a draft, and completing a final version of your paper by the conclusion of week eight.
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Q. Am I limited to the listed research areas?
A. Our mentors represent a wide array of academic disciplines, and we welcome research proposals across the full spectrum of scholarly inquiry. If your topic is of genuine intellectual interest and has an academic community behind it, chances are we have the right mentor to support your work.
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Q. How are one-on-one mentor sessions scheduled?
A. Once accepted, students are introduced to their research mentor via email. Together, you and your mentor will agree on a weekly meeting time across the eight-week programme.
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Q. Can I change my research question midway through the programme?
A. Occasionally, a student may discover a new line of inquiry midway through their research. If this occurs, the student and mentor should discuss the feasibility of the new direction within the time remaining. If a pivot is appropriate and manageable, the mentor will help devise a revised research plan. In cases where a topic change would require more time than remains in the programme, the student may choose to extend their research timeline.
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Q. Will my research be published after the programme?
A. The programme does not provide a promise to any student that their work will be published. However, a dedicated publication specialist will assist students in identifying and submitting to relevant research journals to maximise the chances of publication. Possible publications include undergraduate science journals, high school science journals, and conferences.
Q. Can I ask my research mentor for a letter of recommendation?
A. At the conclusion of the programme, each student receives a grade and a brief written evaluation from their research mentor. In many cases, mentors come to know their students well both intellectually and personally over the course of the programme. It is therefore entirely appropriate to request a letter of recommendation. As with any academic relationship, the mentor is under no obligation to provide one, but will typically base their decision on the student’s performance and engagement throughout the programme.