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.