Thanks so much for this Tom! Much food for thought and it's reassuring to receive some pointers, will definitely look into what you've suggested. Really appreciate it :)

Hi! I'm quite early in my career (and new to EA), as a 3rd year undergraduate completing a BA in Philosophy and Sociology. I am fairly sure that research (academic, industry or other) would be a good fit for me, and I have browsed through many lists of EA theses to consider whether I would be interested in pursuing any of them. It seems like the list that excites me most is the list here, compiled by Spencer Greenberg. I am very interested in completing a phD in either Philosophy or Psychology, with research interests in areas including moral psychology (e.g. expansion of the moral circle), life satisfaction (e.g. the measurement of happiness), or other areas within ethics, compassion and/or emotional intelligence.

I have read the page at 80000 Hours on Academic Research and will likely go down that path, but  was just wondering if there are any obvious alternatives to academic research that I've missed, based on my research interests e.g., any EA organisations that explicitly research these areas? 

I was also wondering the extent to which location affects impact i.e., whether my research/impact would be benefitted more by moving closer to circles of other EA academics (I am based in Sydney but open to relocating). 

There's much to research here myself, but figured it wouldn't hurt to ask if there were any immediate pointers, and for any other general advice - thanks so much for reading and considering this!