The Unknown External

If your external isn’t known to you – and there are lots of reasons why might this be the case, as well as lots of degrees to which this might feel true – then the best thing you can do is find out more.

• Ask your supervisor about them.
• Ask anyone in your network about them.
• Check your memory to see if you’ve met or seen them at a conference and you’ve just forgotten.

And of course, more than anything, read their most recent work.

It helps to know your external a little but it’s much more helpful to know about what they do: their knowledge, biases and research will bring perspective to how they read your work, ask questions and consider what you’re saying.

Read their last two or three most recent papers. Look for themes, ideas, questions, methods and anything else that might be relevant. You’re not trying to become an expert in them. You’re looking for points of connection – or the lack thereof!

The more you know, the better you’ll feel – and thankfully it won’t take much to feel good about your external, even if they’re a stranger to you at the time of selection.

(and of course, if you’re not that familiar with your internal, find out more about them too!)