Play as the Highest Form of Research

“Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing.” — Wernher von Braun

Dear Esteemed Ph.D. Students,

Welcome back to another day of academic struggle, existential crises, and wondering why you ever thought a Ph.D. was a good idea. Fear not—I’m here to remind you that research doesn’t always have to feel like dragging a boulder up a hill while crying softly. In fact, Albert Einstein himself once said, “Play is the highest form of research.” Yes, you read that correctly. The man who gave us relativity and forever ruined our ability to think of time as a simple, straightforward concept also believed that play—not suffering, not staring blankly at your screen at 3 a.m., not questioning your life choices—was the key to discovery.

So let’s talk about how you can inject a little playfulness into your research without getting side-eyed by your advisor.

1. Embrace Curiosity Like a Kid in a Science Museum

Think back to when you were a child—before you learned that deadlines exist. Remember how you used to ask endless questions? Why is the sky blue? Can I eat this? What happens if I mix all the colors together? (The answer is brown. Always brown.)

Somewhere along the way, academia conditioned you to believe that research is about rigid methods, serious discussions, and citing sources in the exact right format (or else). But at its core, research is about asking bold, ridiculous, exciting questions—and then figuring out how to answer them.

Want to investigate something weird, unconventional, or seemingly impossible? Do it. Einstein imagined himself riding on a beam of light, and look where that got him. If your research question doesn’t make you feel like a mad scientist cackling in a lab, you might be doing it wrong.

2. Experiment Like Nobody’s Watching

You know who doesn’t worry about being wrong? Kids. They’ll mix glue and glitter and spaghetti sauce and call it “science.” Sure, the results are horrifying, but the enthusiasm is what counts.

As a Ph.D. student, you have permission to experiment (preferably in a way that doesn’t set the lab on fire). Some of the greatest discoveries in history happened because someone played around with an idea, made a mistake, and discovered something unexpected. Alexander Fleming didn’t angrily throw out his moldy petri dishes—he noticed them, played with the data, and discovered penicillin. Accidents and playful curiosity are part of the process—not signs that you’re failing.

So if your hypothesis turns out to be completely wrong, celebrate! That means you’ve learned something. And if you’re ever stuck, take a break and tinker. Shift perspectives. Approach your research like an artist messing with a blank canvas. Who knows? You might stumble upon the next big breakthrough while doodling in the margins of your lab notebook.

3. Break Free from the Tyranny of Seriousness

Look, I know academia thrives on seriousness—big words, solemn conference presentations, and pretending you understand Foucault. But the reality is, some of the best researchers are the ones who refuse to take themselves too seriously.

Take Richard Feynman, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist who played the bongos and wrote jokes in his scientific papers. Or Charles Darwin, who spent an alarming amount of time watching worms wriggle around in his garden. They understood that research is fun—or at least, it should be.

So, here’s my advice:

• Write down your weirdest ideas. Even if they seem absurd.

• Laugh at your own failed experiments (because let’s be honest, there will be many).

• Find joy in the unexpected moments of discovery.

If you’re going to spend years working on something so specific that only five other people on Earth truly understand it, you might as well enjoy the ride.

4. Play = Progress (Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like It)

Here’s an inconvenient truth: your brain does not operate on demand. You cannot force a eureka moment by staring at your research for 14 hours straight. (Trust me, I’ve tried.)

Sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to step away and do something playful. Einstein played the violin when he was stuck on a tough problem. Many writers and thinkers swear by long walks, silly doodles, or even taking a nap. Creativity thrives when the brain is relaxed, so don’t be afraid to take breaks, experiment, and enjoy the process.

And remember—if anyone catches you spinning around in your desk chair instead of working, just say, “I’m engaging in advanced research methodology.”

Final Thoughts: Make Research Fun Again

Look, I know you have deadlines. I know the academic world makes you feel like you should be constantly stressed, sleep-deprived, and questioning your sanity. But here’s my challenge to you: don’t let the seriousness of academia kill your sense of play.

Approach your research with the same curiosity and excitement you had as a kid discovering something new. Be willing to experiment, take risks, and—most importantly—have fun with it. Because at the end of the day, Einstein was right: play isn’t a distraction from research. It is research.

Now, go forth, embrace the chaos, and play your way to brilliance. And if anyone questions your methods, just remind them—you’re following Einstein’s lead.

Yours in endless research struggles,

Your SV