Your First Choice
As you get closer to submission and the end of your PhD, it’s worth exploring possible examiners. Who would be your number one pick for your external examiner? Why? What do they have that others don’t? How about for your...
March 2020
Atypical
There are regulations for vivas, and expectations for vivas, but all vivas are different. Some are more different than others. My viva took four hours. That makes it different from most, by comparison a long viva. I gave a presentation...
Build Your Own Resources
Whenever I commit the time to make a resource, I’ve chosen to make something as broadly useful as possible. The tiny book of viva prep is designed to be useful to everyone. The list of thesis examination regulations took time...
Power Ups For The Viva
The following is by no means an exhaustive list of power ups for the viva! Wearing the right outfit for you. Having a mock viva. Two cups of coffee. Re-reading your methods chapter. The right conversation with the right person....
Viva Of The Year
There’s no such prize, at least, as far as I’m aware! But it’s fun to think about the possible criteria a viva would have to satisfy to put it on a shortlist… Would it have to have a substantial discussion...
Only Difficult
Survive means manage to keep going in difficult circumstances. The viva is only difficult. It’s a challenge, but not beyond you. If it feels overwhelming, reflect a little on the challenges you’ve overcome during your PhD. How big were they?...
Interesting Times
I tend to write this blog many weeks in advance. As of today, Monday 16th March 2020, I have posts readied until April 5th, but today it felt right to pause and add an extra post. The world is changing,...
If Not Now, When?
This question has been rattling around in my head at Viva Survivor sessions lately. If someone says they’re not ready for their viva when they submit their thesis, gently challenge them with this question. (gently!) For some it will be...
Riddles
While your examiners might feel inscrutable at times, they aren’t Sphinxes. Questions aren’t obscure, topics aren’t hidden, and the purpose isn’t a game… …or life-or-death! Some examiner questions could be anticipated, but not all. While they might be tricky to...
The Not-So-Secret Reader
Twice in the last few months I have volunteered to be the Secret Reader for my daughter’s class: a mystery parent who shows up at 3pm on Friday to read a story to the class. Both times I found being...