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Nathan

A Prompted Conversation

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It’s only a few weeks since I shared a post inspired by my old VIVA acronym tool, based on the following prompts:

  • Valuable (to others): what might someone else find useful in your work?
  • Interesting (to you): what do you find fascinating about your work?
  • Vague (or unclear): what do you find difficult to talk about or explain?
  • Ask (your examiners): given the chance, what would you ask your examiners at the viva?

I most commonly suggest that someone uses theses prompts and questions to write a summary of a chapter or their thesis – but it occurred to me recently that these could be useful words to trigger a conversation with your supervisor.

Your supervisor has seen your work develop over a long period of time so you can trust that their perspective will be meaningful. In particular:

  • Start by asking them what they think is valuable about your work. How has that developed over time?
  • Ask them what they think others would find interesting about your research. This could be a helpful way to get a fresh perspective on the impact of what you’ve done.
  • Find a way to engage them on what could be vague or unclear about your work. They’ve seen you explain what you do and can provide insight into what could be tricky to get across to other people.
  • Finally, get them to tell you what they would want to ask at your viva if they had the chance.

It’s important to remember on that last point (and all of these points) that your supervisors are not your examiners. Their perspectives don’t automatically carry over to other people, even other academics.

However, a different perspective is generally helpful to consider – and an experienced academic perspective will definitely be valuable for you as you get ready.

Nathan

A VIVA Conversation

Daily Post

If you’re a long-term Viva Survivors reader then you might remember my acronym VIVA:

  • Valuable (to others): what might someone else find useful in your work?
  • Interesting (to you): what do you find fascinating about your work?
  • Vague (or unclear): what do you find difficult to talk about or explain?
  • Ask (your examiners): given the chance, what would you ask your examiners at the viva?

I often suggest that someone uses this tool to write a summary of a chapter or their thesis: four prompts to help think about their work in different ways.

 

It struck me recently that these prompts might be a useful way of framing a conversation with a friend or colleague ahead of the viva.

  • First, take a little time to make notes about what is Valuable and Interesting in your work. Think about how you explain it and what you want to emphasise. You’re outlining your contribution and how you came to it – something you’ll have to do for your viva.
  • Next find a good opportunity to share this with a friend or colleague. Give yourself a good time and space to do this, don’t rush and don’t overload them.
  • When you’ve shared this with your friend, first ask them what was Vague: what did they not quite get? What could have been clearer? Their response will be a helpful check for you to see how you organise your thinking and explanations.
  • After that small piece of feedback then see what they would like to Ask: what do they want to know more about? What do they think of your topic? Be open to whatever questions they ask.

A mock viva is probably the gold standard for viva rehearsal and a mini-viva with a friend could also allow for something closer to real viva practice – but a VIVA-inspired conversation could be a nice way to get you thinking about how you explain what you did and how you did it!

Nathan

VIVA Time

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Two days before your viva is a good time to think VIVA:

  • What is Valuable in your research? Write two sentences explaining something that matters.
  • What was Interesting when you started? Write two sentences that summarise what captured your interest.
  • Is there anything Vague or unclear in your thesis? Write two sentences to note anything that you might need to explain more at your viva.
  • What questions would you like to Ask your examiners? Write two questions you would ask given the opportunity.

A little time and a little focus can be a powerful way to help your viva prep.

Nathan

I For Interesting

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Long time readers might remember my acronym VIVA that I find helpful for reflecting on thesis chapters. In brief:

  • What is valuable in the chapter?
  • What do you find interesting about the research?
  • Is there anything vague in what you’ve presented?
  • Are there any questions you think you’ll ask your examiners?

All of these can be useful to start a process of reflection and write a summary. The second word, interesting, provides encouragement as well.

When you think about what you find interesting you get a little lift. “This is what got me hooked,” or “This is why I wanted to know more.”

Perhaps even, “This is what helped me keep going.”

It’s worth reflecting on this as you prepare for your viva. What did you find interesting in your research? Why did it draw you in? What did you find? What would you love to share with others?

Nathan

A VIVA For Examiners

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I use VIVA as a little acronym-tool for reflecting on one’s research ahead of the viva:

  • Valuable (to others): what might someone else find useful in your work?
  • Interesting (to you): what do you find fascinating about your work?
  • Vague (or unclear): what do you find difficult to talk about or explain?
  • Ask (your examiners): given the chance, what would you ask your examiners at the viva?

It’s a helpful tool and can be particularly helpful when thinking about the thesis chapter-by-chapter.

I’ve found it useful sometimes to take the VIVA prompts and apply them to other aspects of the viva as well. For example, what if we took the prompts and considered your examiners?

  • Valuable: what might your examiners find useful in your work?
  • Interesting: how can you make connections between your research and their interests?
  • Vague: do you foresee any difficulties in communicating your work to them?
  • Ask: given the chance, what would you ask your examiners at the viva?

OK, OK, the last question didn’t change! But there are still four good reflection on your examiners ahead of your viva!

Nathan

Easy-To-Remember

Daily Post

Here’s a short, easy-to-remember, viva prep exercise for when you read a chapter of your thesis.

Take a sheet of paper and divide it into four equal parts. Reflect on each of the following four points and make notes on the paper:

  • When you think about the chapter what is valuable to others?
  • What was interesting to you? What sparked your fascination when you were doing it?
  • Were any points in the chapter vague or unclear as you read them now? Reflect on what could help you to explain them to others.
  • Finally, is there anything you would like to ask your examiners? The viva is a conversation so what would you ask?

I first thought of this idea over ten years ago and have been developing the concept ever since. I’ve written about it a few times before on the Viva Survivors blog (here are some other times). I like it because it’s an easy-to-remember exercise with an easy-to-remember acronym.

  • Valuable to others;
  • Interesting to you;
  • Vague or unclear;
  • Ask your examiners.

See, easy-to-remember! 🙂