From Passion to Profession: Dr. Pankaj Chejara’s reflections on research, resilience, and Intelligent Living
Dr. Pankaj Chejara from the School of Digital Technologies at Tallinn University defended his dissertation, “Classroom Collaboration Analytics: Building and Designing Automated Systems for Collaboration Monitoring in Classroom Settings” on August 15. In his work, Pankaj aimed to identify behavioral patterns associated with high-quality collaborative work and to develop a generalizable automated machine learning model capable of assessing collaboration quality in real classroom environments. In our interview, Pankaj discussed the significance of his study and shared insights on successfully completing the doctoral journey.
Pankaj, what was the tipping point in choosing to do a PhD?
Education is one of the domains that has been very close to my heart since my school days. This influenced my career, leading me to spend a significant portion of my professional journey in academia. As I became more involved in academic work, I realized that furthering my skills through a PhD would not only allow me to grow professionally, but also contribute to the field. This clarity along with my love for continuous learning made me pursue PhD as the next step in my career trajectory.
Why was it important to study further the topics you focus your thesis on?
We all have witnessed tremendous changes in our lives due to advances in technology, in particular Artificial Intelligence (AI). As AI increasingly automates mundane routine tasks, humans will be left to tackle more complex problems that surpass the capabilities of any single individual. This shift highlights the growing importance of effective collaboration. Collaboration itself is not a single skill but rather a combination of several interrelated abilities, such as argumentation, coordination, and communication. Understanding the nuances of collaboration is challenging, especially given the diverse traits and behaviors of participants. My thesis focused on collaboration analytics to explore how people work together and to identify key markers of successful collaboration. By gaining deeper insights into these processes, my research aims to inform strategies for building highly effective teams capable of addressing the complex challenges of the future.
What were your tactics for consistently working on your doctoral thesis in order to successfully reach the end?
Throughout my PhD journey, several tactics helped me stay on the course and reach the finish line. One of the most significant was prioritizing physical activity, like working out or playing badminton with friends. Engaging in these activities, along with weekly meetups with friends for walks or sports, provided me with much-needed breaks. These moments of detachment from my research, allowed me to recharge and return to my PhD with renewed energy and focus. Another thing I like to mention, which I later learned and utilized in my PhD a lot, was the habit of reflection and thinking. I remember in the initial years of PhD, I was spending almost all my time reading papers, analyzing data, and writing reports/papers, without pausing to process all the new information. Later on, I realized the value of setting aside time to reflect. I started this practice of sitting down with a piece of paper and pen in a quiet setting for half an hour to one hour, and focusing on the specific problem or challenge at hand or refining my understanding of complex topics.
What was a memorable or funny instance that happened while writing the thesis?
At the beginning of writing my thesis, I found it quite daunting, especially grappling with the question of “How am I supposed to compress 5 years of research work into just 30 pages”. Thankfully, through regular discussion with my supervisors and their constructive feedback, I began to see the bigger picture. Those discussions not only helped me understand the purpose behind writing the thesis but also made the process far more enjoyable—and much less overwhelming.
Based on your field of research, what does "intelligent lifestyle" mean for you?
To me ‘intelligent lifestyle’ covers many aspects, but at its core, it involves making intelligent decisions. In the context of my research, particularly within the field of Learning Analytics, I view intelligent decision-making as synonymous with informed decision-making. This means leveraging data (reflecting past behaviors/events) and best practices to gain insights about oneself, ultimately aimed at enhancing the quality of life.
What is something you appreciate about your dissertation supervisor(s)?
I am genuinely grateful to have had a talented team of three supervisors, each with deep expertise in their respective domains. What I appreciate most is not only their vast knowledge but also their humility, respect for others, and dedication to advancing research. They consistently demonstrated integrity and kindness in their interactions, which profoundly influenced both my PhD journey and personal development. Throughout my PhD, I was especially inspired by their curiosity and patience. I remember asking a lot of questions, some of which might have seemed naive in hindsight. Yet, they always responded with calmness, encouragement, and genuine interest. This open and supportive approach made me feel comfortable presenting new research ideas without fear of being judged, creating an environment where I could explore new ideas and grow confidently.