8. Find your COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE and get started on your research by starting with their research or knowledge base--then expand upon it. A community of practice can include professors at The New School -- there are several thousands of us; a company or not-for-profit that is investigating the ideas or part of your ideas that are compelling to you;  group or community that needs your thesis; gallery/art/ design/history museum, group  or curator who is interested in the questions you are asking.
9. Travel and engage with people and places you want to include in your thesis research.
10. Get permissions from your community of practice to work with them officially (in writing).