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 internal? Who in your department would be your top choice? Why?
You could suggest these people to your supervisor, and they might agree or not. It’s probably useful to have a couple of names in mind in case people are busy, and again, they might agree or not. Your first choice might be your examiners or not, but it doesn’t hurt to think about this at all.
- If they are your examiners, then you’ve done work already for your viva prep. You’re one step closer to being ready.
- If they’re not, then you’ve had the chance to practise exploring someone and their work. Now you can build on that for your viva preparations.
Nothing is wasted. It all helps. Your first choice might be the your examiner, or they could help you all the same if they’re not.
