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Tag: responding to questions

Nathan

A New Approach

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Congratulations if you have found a new approach or a new way of doing things as part of your research! That by itself meets the definition of an original contribution to research (and it’ll probably have some significance too!).

It’s great but it might invite questions:

  • Why is this approach more appropriate than others?
  • If there were no others how do you know that this one is good?
  • How do you defend the approach if it differs from previous expectations?

Anyone might ask these questions but they are also representative of the kinds of questions that could occur to examiners too (although theirs might be more specialised).

None of these kinds of questions are problems though. They’re opportunities to share something good. You’ve done something new. You’ve done something helpful.

It’s natural to worry or wonder but equally you can take time to prepare and even practise how you communicate your approach.

Nathan

Whose Fault Is It?

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It’s not uncommon to ask who is responsible if something goes wrong. After all, things don’t just happen, someone has to do (or not do) something. In your PhD journey there could be lots of people involved when something is wrong: the person who wrote a paper missed something, your supervisor wasn’t available to help or maybe you made a mistake.

Asking “Who?” is typical human behaviour but it might be less helpful than asking “Why?”

When we ask “Who?” we have a name. When we ask “Why?” we’re working towards a reason.

If something went wrong and you ask “Why?” then you can start to unpick the reasons, the impacts and the resolutions. You see more and can explain more (whether you’re doing this kind of exploration at the viva or in advance).

 

Don’t forget you could also ask “Why?” things worked out well during your PhD too. Why did you arrive at submission with a good thesis? Why was the contribution in that thesis sound? Why was the work that you did ultimately of a good standard?

Although, at the root of all of these questions what we’re really asking is “Who did this?”

 

PS: There are lots of reflections and more viva help in the latest issue of Viva Survivors Select, which I released earlier this week. The 2025 Issue collects twenty of my favourite blog posts from last year and adds two new pages of viva help. Want a helpful viva prep game? You’ll find it in the latest issue here 🙂 And please spread the word if you can!

Nathan

The Next Challenges

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What’s next?

Whether your plans are academia or elsewhere it might be a difficult topic to talk about. Your plans might be in flux. Your plans might be sensitive and make you feel emotional in some way.

You don’t need to have a 5-year plan figured out for meeting your examiners but it might help to know how you’ll explain a little of your future plans at the viva.

You won’t be judged on them: the viva is centred on your research, your thesis and your capability. But it’s a natural topic of discussion for something like the viva.

Take a little time as part of your viva prep to think about the next challenges you’re facing – because that’s what they are. They might be smaller scale than a PhD but they’re no less daunting. If you’ve done a PhD then you are committed to doing good things well.

So what’s next? And how might you explain that to your examiners?

 

PS: what’s next for me is the new issue of Viva Survivors Select, which I’m releasing in two weeks!

Nathan

Offering Why

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At the root of a lot of viva questions and discussions is a why.

Why did you do this? Why does it matter? Why is it helpful?

Why this and not that? Why now? Why did you choose X over Y?

It could be explicit or quiet, it could be a why you have thought about for years or a why you are finding for the first time.

As you get ready for your viva, consider all the whys you know in your preparations. Consider what happens as you rehearse and offer whys in your mock viva and other spoken preparations.

What can you do to help yourself be more ready to talk about the whys?

Nathan

On Opinions

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There’s a good chance, whatever your research area, that you can be asked a question at your viva for which you have no answer. There’s a chance even that you could be asked a question for which no-one has an answer – there are simply opinions.

When you have an opinion – or are called to think and explore your opinion in the moment – it helps to pause and think a little. There’s plenty of time to do that in your viva.

  • You can check something in your thesis if you need to.
  • You can make a note or write down a few thoughts.
  • You can ask for information.

None of this is evading the question: it’s all geared towards you offering the most considered opinion you can depending on the situation.

In fact, to engage well at the viva, whatever the question, pause and think before you respond. Even if you have an answer ready, something you’ve considered and refined for years. Pause and think just in case there is a subtlety in the question that you’re rushing past in your desire to show what you know.

When you’re called on for your opinion at the viva give yourself a little time to respond well.

Nathan

No Tricks, No Traps

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That’s what you can expect most of all from your examiners. They’re not there to ask awkward or difficult questions to catch you out. Their questions are always asked with real purpose. They want to hear what you think, what you know, what you understand and what you can do.

They don’t want to catch you out. They don’t want to haze you or break you. They don’t want to find the edges of your capability and test you that way. Every question they ask is an opportunity for you to demonstrate what you can do. Every question is one more chance for you to keep going and keep showing what your research is all about.

No tricks, no traps – just opportunities to shine.

Nathan

Maybe

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It always helps to pause when you’re asked a question at your viva; take some time to think, consider, get your thoughts in order (and make notes, check your thesis and so on) before you respond.

You could do all of that and still, in that moment, think, “Well, maybe…” Taking everything into account, you might not know something or might not be sure.

That’s OK. The viva is not about demonstrating perfection or total knowledge: it’s about showing what you did, why you did it and how you can do things well. If you listen carefully, think carefully and your careful response to one particular questions begins with “Maybe…” then you’re doing fine.

You don’t need to know everything. You don’t need to have thought of everything beforehand.

 

PS: Looking for help with the viva discussion and expectations? Then check out my live 3-hour Viva Survivor webinar on Wednesday 25th March 2026 where I’ll talk about these topics and a lot more. You’ll get four-week access to a recording of the session and follow-up materials too. There’s more information at the link but please get in touch if you have any questions or want to know more. Thanks for reading!

Nathan

All The Opportunities

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A PhD journey is not successful because you do everything perfectly first time or achieve 100% of your goals. You find success because you make enough of all the opportunities that you have found and made for yourself along the way.

You made the most of what you could and were able to do something with it. You didn’t find the answer for everything but you found enough somethings that you made something that mattered.

The goal isn’t that different for your viva. You don’t need to get 100% or avoid too many wrong answers. Instead you need to make the most of all of the opportunities you’ll find there. Every question or comment from your examiners is an opportunity and invitation to say more and do more – to show more of what you did, who you are and what you can do.

An I don’t know or I forget is a small thing. It won’t lead you away from success. Make the most of the opportunities you find at your viva and you’ll be fine.

Nathan

Refreshing Your Memory

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Photographic recall isn’t needed for viva success. You are expected to know about your field and remember your research but you don’t need to know everything. Your thesis is a resource you can use in your viva to support your memory, your thinking in the moment and what you’re saying in response to your examiners’ questions.

If you worry about remembering things or simply want to be well prepared then you can take steps in your viva preparation to refresh your memory and support yourself in the viva.

  • Read your thesis carefully during prep.
  • Add sticky notes or bookmarks to help you navigate your thesis.
  • Annotate anything in your thesis that you want to stand out.
  • Find opportunities to rehearse responding to questions.

Build your knowledge, refresh your understanding and find ways to prompt your memory. That’s enough to help you be ready for your viva.

 

PS: if you’re looking for more ideas of what you need to be ready for your viva (and what you can do to help yourself) then check out Viva Survivors Select Volume 1. This is my complete collection of helpful viva zines I made last year. Volume 1 has eight issues, 165 curated posts from the archives and lots of new helpful resources – plus an introductory offer price until 31st January 2026!

Nathan

Confrontation?

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The language that’s often used to describe the viva has unfortunate associations. Defending your thesis could make someone think that the viva is a confrontation and that they have to protect their work.

“Defend” really means support in this context: you’ve done a lot of work and now in the viva you’re doing a little more to explore, provide clarity and discuss your research.

But what if you face a question that shows disagreement? What if your examiners have a different opinion?

In the first instance make sure you understand why your examiners are expressing their view. Ask them why if you need to. What is there reason for disagreeing with what you’ve done or written?

When you know, think about what that means. Is this really a big deal? Is it a minor point? Is it simply a difference of opinions? Does it make an impact? Do you need to do something to defend your work or do you simply need to acknowledge a different perspective?

You don’t need to approach the viva as a confrontation or be argumentative. You can be ready to defend and support your research in a good way.

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