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Tag: examiner expectations

Nathan

More Examiners

Daily Post, Sabbatical

The most common viva situation in the UK includes two examiners, one internal and one external. Some universities have independent chairs to steer and confirm the process, and in most cases a supervisor is allowed to attend with the candidate’s approval, but there are nearly always only two examiners.

Nearly always.

There are good reasons for exceptions. It could be that the research requires people with different research backgrounds and interests. A third examiner might be needed so that certain knowledge can be brought into the viva. Or perhaps the candidate is also a staff member at their PhD institution and a second external is required to ensure that the viva is seen as fair.

 

More examiners could mean more questions in the viva; more people talking could mean the viva has more hours than most.

But it doesn’t mean significantly more work in preparation. An extra person won’t take long to look into: a few more papers to consider, a little more thought to consider what they might be interested in.

A 50% increase in examiners doesn’t lead to a 50% increase in prep, questions, viva time or corrections!

 

Viva Survivors Summer Sabbatical: I’m taking July, August and September off from new writing to concentrate on other creative projects, so will be sharing a post from the archives every day throughout those months. Today’s post was originally published on April 13th 2023.

Nathan

Say More

Daily Post

Two words to keep in mind for your viva.

If your examiners want more from you in response to one of their questions then they will ask for it.

If you want to say more about a topic because it’s interesting or fun or difficult then you can offer it.

You don’t need to talk for the sake of it though. Any question or comment in your viva is inviting the best response you can give in that moment. Not the longest. Not the wordiest. Just the best you can do.

Say more or say less. Give your best.

 

PS: the Viva Survivors Summer Sabbatical starts on Monday! A daily post from the archives all through the summer while I take a creative break after seven years of Viva Survivors 🙂

Nathan

Connect The Dots

Daily Post

If everything is in your thesis then what are your examiners asking about?

Questions in the viva are asked for a range of reasons.

Sometimes it’s to dig deeper into a topic. Sometimes examiners need to understand something that isn’t clear to them. A question might not be about the thesis at all, instead looking to explore a candidate’s skillset, knowledge base or way of thinking.

And sometimes a question is a means to explore and get the candidate to explore. Can they connect the dots between ideas? Can they show what they think would happen? Can they combine their ideas with something new?

Whatever the question in your viva: pause, think and respond. Be clear. Take your time. Connect the dots so that your examiners can be confident in awarding you your PhD.

 

PS: the Viva Survivors Summer Sabbatical starts on Monday! A daily post from the archives all through the summer while I take a creative break after seven years of Viva Survivors 🙂

Nathan

No More, No Less

Daily Post

The viva is no more than a discussion about your research and thesis.

The viva is no less than a final, great challenge at the end of your PhD.

Your examiners want no more than to have a conversation with you.

Your examiners need no less from you than to see a capable, knowledgeable researcher.

Your viva needs no more from you than to show up and be good, determined and thoughtful.

You wouldn’t give it any less than your best – and that’s enough.

Nathan

Final Words

Daily Post

The viva is not the only time in your life when you will have a big, important conversation about your PhD. It might be the final time though and it will be your only viva. As you prepare, take some time to think about how you can get as much as you need to from the experience.

  • How would you like your viva to conclude?
  • Are there specific questions you want to hear from your examiners by the end?
  • Is there an opinion you’d like to make sure you take time to ask for?

You might not be able to direct your viva but there are aspects you might be able to influence. If you have questions, make a list and take them with you so you remember to ask them.

Nathan

Show Them What You Know

Daily Post

At your viva you’re expected to explore your significant original contribution with your examiners, tell them about your PhD journey and demonstrate for them that you are a capable researcher.

Which is simple to understand but sometimes difficult to do!

You have to show your examiners what you know. Show them what you understand. Show them what it means.

Whatever their exact questions are you know the topics they will be interested in. Part of the challenge is being ready and able to respond well, whatever the question might be.

By the viva, you’ve done the work. You’ve done the prep. Take a deep breath and show them what you know.

Nathan

Between Questions

Daily Post

Your examiners make a note. They check their prompts. They quickly confer.

Breathe. Take a sip of your drink. Breathe. Think about what you’ve done so far. Think about what you might still want to talk about.

Just wait for the next question or comment. It won’t be a long time coming. Then you’ll have to think and say something.

For now, wait. Breathe. Relax if you can.

The next opportunity to show your talent is coming.

Nathan

Misunderstood

Daily Post

Confusion can happen in the viva. Your examiners might not understand. They could have read a passage and got a different idea to what you meant. You could misunderstand a question, a comment or the point of a conversation.

Confusion in the viva doesn’t necessarily mean you’re wrong, your examiners are wrong or that something is wrong. It just means that there is confusion…

…but eventually confusion clears. It’s not comfortable but not harmful to your viva. It’s simply a possible part of the process.

It’s possible to actively work around confusion too. Pause to think. Check your thesis. Ask questions and in particular ask them to improve clarity. Check that your points are being understood.

Confusion isn’t comfortable but consideration and conversation clears the way to clarity.

Nathan

Two People

Daily Post

In preparation for the viva there’s not a lot you need to explore about your examiners to be ready for them. There are most likely two people, one internal and one external, and for each of them you need to:

  • Read their recent publications.
  • Check their staff pages to get a sense of their interests.
  • Talk to your supervisor about why they’re good examiner choices for your viva.

And that’s it.

You don’t need to second-guess these two people. You don’t need to predict every possible question they might have for you or find some deeper understanding. You certainly don’t need to be an expert in who they are.

They’re just two people. They have a job to do. They’ll do it well.

To be ready for them you need to get a sense of who they are, what they do and why they’re a good fit for your viva.

Nathan

People Like Us

Daily Post

Seth Godin, one of my favourite people in the world, defines culture as people like us do things like this.

It’s helpful to unpick who “us” is and what “this” is in the context of viva prep.

  • People like your examiners do things like prepare well for your viva.
  • People like your institutional staff do things like provide helpful resources and sessions to help you get ready for your viva.
  • People like your supervisors do things like offer mock vivas and perspectives to help you prepare.

When we consider the bigger culture of the viva and the people like you, the people who have a viva, there are some really big cultural “this”-points to recognise too.

  • People like you do things like succeed at the viva.
  • People like you do things like prepare well for the viva.
  • People like you do things like staying determined, becoming knowledgeable, developing their abilities and building their confidence.

People like you do things like succeed at their viva – then go on to even better things.

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