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Month: January 2023

Nathan

A Constellation Of Confidence

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As you prepare for your viva think about a Situation where you did something well. What was the Task that you were trying to accomplish? Was there a goal you were aiming for or a problem that needed a solution?

Whatever the circumstances, what Activities were you engaged with? And when you had finished what were the Results of your work?

Reflecting on a story where you describe the Situation, Task, Activities and Results helps to create a useful narrative for exploring your capability with others. It can be a big help for job applications, interviews or pitching yourself.

Reflecting on a STAR can also help a lot with building confidence. It’s a foundation of knowing that you are good enough.

And you aren’t limited to one story. Find as many as you can and build a constellation of stories that you can look at when needed, to show yourself that you are good.

Nathan

When To Cite Examiners

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Cite examiners in your bibliography before you consider them for examiners.

Cite examiners because their work is relevant.

Cite examiners because you’ve used their results, conclusions or ideas in some way for your own research.

Don’t cite people if their work doesn’t connect. Don’t select examiners then look for ways to crowbar their research into yours. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you can only be examined by academics whose work is prominently in your bibliography.

There are more important reasons for considering academics as potential examiners than whether or not they feature in your bibliography.

There are better reasons for citing someone’s work than you’re thinking about them as a potential examiner.

Nathan

The Challenge

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In your viva your examiners are, essentially, presenting you with a challenge.

  • Can you explore what your research (as described in your thesis) means?
  • Can you describe how you did this work and what the motivations were for doing the work?
  • And can you demonstrate that you are a capable researcher?

Your examiners want to have a conversation about all of these things. Given the level that you work at, given the work that you’ve invested and given the outcome you’re working towards – and what that means – this is a challenge.

But only a challenge.

Just one particular situation that you need to rise to, after a long series of success at responding to challenges throughout your PhD. Your viva might be difficult. You might be nervous. But that only makes the viva a challenge, nothing more.

What can help you be ready for it? Who can you turn to for support? And what have you learned throughout your PhD journey about rising to challenges?

Nathan

Without An Audience

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An important expectation for the UK viva is that it is private. Members of the public don’t attend and you’ll never have an audience present while you talk with your examiners.

Two examiners, one internal and one external, is the typical situation at the UK viva. It’s possible to have more, but rare. It’s possible to have an independent chair as part of your viva process, but they’re not an “audience member” either.

Your supervisor could attend, with your permission, but even then they are not like an audience member. They can only observe, they can’t participate like an audience member at a public thesis defence.

The UK viva is a discussion, not a presentation, not an open forum. It’s closed, and even if there are others present – chairs or supervisors – they’re not the audience.

Nathan

The Prototype Viva

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A mock viva or mini-viva is like a prototype for the real thing you’ll experience.

  • Does it have all of the questions you’ll be asked at your viva? No, but it has enough to get a sense of what to expect.
  • Will you have all of the familiarity or preparation you need to engage on the day? No, but you can figure out what else you need to do for that day.
  • Does it mostly work in the way you’d expect of the real viva? Yes, it’s still trying to explore and discuss all of the things you’ve done and can do.

A prototype never has all of the features of the final product, but it helps one to get a feeling for what it will be like. Whether you rehearse with your supervisor or with friends, make some time to engage with viva-like practice before your viva.

Nathan

Differences, Difficulties & Opportunities

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In-person and video vivas have differences but at the core is the same viva experience. The viva is the same whether or not you are in the same room as your examiners: same purpose, same drivers for questions, same outcomes and same people involved.

By now we know that some differences create difficulties. Awkward pauses. Signal delays. Rooms that are not wholly suitable. Logistical challenges for meeting in-person.

Oh, yes: not all difficulties come from vivas over video. In-person vivas could be difficult situations too.

It’s worth knowing that some differences create opportunities. Sitting around a table. A certain desired atmosphere. Being in one’s own space. Being in control of your working environment.

Your institution may or may not have a preference over where your viva would take place. Still, think about your circumstances and what you need.

What are the difficulties for you in having a viva in-person or over video? Are there opportunities for you if you had one or the other? After the last few years it’s important to acknowledge that there isn’t a best option generally: in-person and video vivas can both work well.

The right location and setup for the viva is what is best for you.

Nathan

Certainty

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You can’t know in advance what questions you’ll be asked at your viva. You can’t know how long it will be. You can’t know exactly what opinions your examiners will hold. A viva experience happens based on a range of expectations, combined with the regulations of an institution and the individual thesis and candidate.

And with all of that true, there’s still a lot you can be certain about for your viva.

You can be certain that your examiners have prepared. You can be certain that their questions, whatever they are, are all carefully considered. You can be certain of who your examiners are before your viva by researching them, if needed. You can be certain of the range of expectations because so many people have shared their viva stories.

And you can be certain of who you are, what you’ve done and what you know. You can be certain that you are ready.

Nathan

The Good Kind Of Feedback

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Certain kinds of feedback can be useful as you prepare for your viva. By that stage you can’t make any changes to your thesis. Feedback has to be carefully targeted to things you can change.

If you have a mock viva it will help to get feedback afterwards. Focus on the good stuff. Ask questions that you want thoughts on, rather than simply see what your supervisor says.

If you rehearse by sharing your research or having a conversation with friends then ask key questions. Were you clear? What did they not understand? Was anything confusing?

When discussing your thesis with your supervisor after submission, remember that feedback has to drive action. Critical comments or things to think about must have real purpose behind them. If a method could be challenged then how could you respond? If X is open to interpretation then what can you do?

Time is limited after submission, so feedback needs to be limited too. To get good feedback ask questions that you really need responses to – and consider before you ask how you might act on them.

Nathan

A Piece Of Paper

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When your PhD journey is finally finished you get a piece of paper. It will be quite fancy with official words and special ink. One page that says: you did it.

Before graduation, before your viva even, you might need something else to help you believe that you are capable. Kind words and good experiences help, but self-confidence has to come from you.

So take another sheet of paper, probably less fancy, but important all the same. Write down anything and everything you can think of that you know is good about your work: ideas, conclusions, methods – whatever you think makes a difference.

Then realise that all of those things are a part of your work because of you, your effort and your ability.

After your viva you’ll have a piece of paper that shows everyone what you did. Take time before the viva to show yourself what you’ve done.

Nathan

Out With The Old

Daily Post

What are you holding on to that you don’t need any more?

Perhaps it’s a drift of papers that you’ve never quite got around to reading. Maybe some scraps of notes for a section you’re not sure you need in your thesis. Or maybe you’re holding on to ideas about the viva that don’t help you.

If you think that vivas are a big mystery, then you can replace those thoughts with real expectations. Talk to people about their viva experiences, read blog posts and find out more. If you wonder what examiners might ask about your work then talk to your supervisor. Again, ask people about their vivas for a sense of what’s wanted. And read your thesis because that’s something you’ll definitely be asked about in your viva.

And if you worry that you’re not good enough, that you need to know more or need to be better, then look back over your PhD journey for the success. Look for the highlights. Realise when and how you have become a more capable researcher.

Let go of the old ideas that don’t help, and find new ways to think about yourself, your work and the viva.

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