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Tag: special circumstances

Nathan

What’s Stopping You?

Daily Post

Is there anything in the way of you finding out more about the viva process?

Is there anything stopping you from being prepared for meeting your examiners?

Is there anything in the way of you feeling confident?

 

These aren’t strictly rhetorical questions: anyone might have practical or emotional barriers to any of the above. You could have a supervisory relationship that makes you feel like you can’t ask questions. You might have personal circumstances that make your time pressured. Or you could face challenges from a disability that impact how you can get things done.

All of these are real obstacles. And all of them have to be acknowledged or overcome in some way.

If there’s a barrier and you need to know more or do more then you need to figure out a way. You could ask for help from someone, take time to consider how to get something done or in some cases ask for specialised support from your institution.

If something is stopping you from making progress with your viva readiness then you need to figure out a way to stop it. It might not be fair that it’s happening to you but it might still be up to you to take the first step to making it better.

Nathan

Fair Adjustments

Daily Post

You might need adjustments for your viva to be fair for you.

  • You might need your examiners to use a microphone.
  • You might need them to ask questions in a particular way.
  • You might need to write questions down so that you can process your thoughts.
  • You might need frequent breaks.
  • You might need a room at a particular location or with a particular setup.
  • You might need your viva to be over video or have some other technology involved.

It’s expected that every PhD viva might be difficult. The viva is supposed to be a challenge because of what you’re there to do, the level you work at, the meaning of what you’ve done.

Difficult is reasonable but barriers that limit you engaging with the viva are unreasonable. If you need adjustments to make the viva fair then make sure your institution knows.