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Defending Your Dissertation: A Guide

Written by Luke Wink-Moran | Photo by insta_photos

Dissertation defenses are daunting, and no wonder; it’s not a “dissertation discussion,” or a “dissertation dialogue.” The name alone implies that the dissertation you’ve spent the last x number of years working on is subject to attack. And if you don’t feel trepidation for semantic reasons, you might be nervous because you don’t know what to expect. Our imaginations are great at making The Unknown scarier than reality. The good news is that you’ll find in this newsletter article experts who can shed light on what dissertations defenses are really like, and what you can do to prepare for them.

The first thing you should know is that your defense has already begun. It started the minute you began working on your dissertation— maybe even in some of the classes you took beforehand that helped you formulate your ideas. This, according to Dr. Celeste Atkins, is why it’s so important to identify a good mentor early in graduate school.

“To me,” noted Dr. Atkins, who wrote her dissertation on how sociology faculty from traditionally marginalized backgrounds teach about privilege and inequality, “the most important part of the doctoral journey was finding an advisor who understood and supported what I wanted from my education and who was willing to challenge me and push me, while not delaying me.  I would encourage future PhDs to really take the time to get to know the faculty before choosing an advisor and to make sure that the members of their committee work well together.”

Your advisor will be the one who helps you refine arguments and strengthen your work so that by the time it reaches your dissertation committee, it’s ready. Next comes the writing process, which many students have said was the hardest part of their PhD. I’ve included this section on the writing process because this is where you’ll create all the material you’ll present during your defense, so it’s important to navigate it successfully. The writing process is intellectually grueling, it eats time and energy, and it’s where many students find themselves paddling frantically to avoid languishing in the “All-But-Dissertation” doldrums. The writing process is also likely to encroach on other parts of your life. For instance, Dr. Cynthia Trejo wrote her dissertation on college preparation for Latin American students while caring for a twelve-year-old, two adult children, and her aging parents—in the middle of a pandemic. When I asked Dr. Trejo how she did this, she replied:

“I don’t take the privilege of education for granted. My son knew I got up at 4:00 a.m. every morning, even on weekends, even on holidays; and it’s a blessing that he’s seen that work ethic and that dedication and the end result.”

Importantly, Dr. Trejo also exercised regularly and joined several online writing groups at UArizona. She mobilized her support network— her partner, parents, and even friends from high school to help care for her son.

The challenges you face during the writing process can vary by discipline. Jessika Iwanski is an MD/PhD student who in 2022 defended her dissertation on genetic mutations in sarcomeric proteins that lead to severe, neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy. She described her writing experience as “an intricate process of balancing many things at once with a deadline (defense day) that seems to be creeping up faster and faster— finishing up experiments, drafting the dissertation, preparing your presentation, filling out all the necessary documents for your defense and also, for MD/PhD students, beginning to reintegrate into the clinical world (reviewing your clinical knowledge and skill sets)!”

But no matter what your unique challenges are, writing a dissertation can take a toll on your mental health. Almost every student I spoke with said they saw a therapist and found their sessions enormously helpful. They also looked to the people in their lives for support. Dr. Betsy Labiner, who wrote her dissertation on Interiority, Truth, and Violence in Early Modern Drama, recommended, “Keep your loved ones close! This is so hard – the dissertation lends itself to isolation, especially in the final stages. Plus, a huge number of your family and friends simply won’t understand what you’re going through. But they love you and want to help and are great for getting you out of your head and into a space where you can enjoy life even when you feel like your dissertation is a flaming heap of trash.”

While you might sometimes feel like your dissertation is a flaming heap of trash, remember: a) no it’s not, you brilliant scholar, and b) the best dissertations aren’t necessarily perfect dissertations. According to Dr. Trejo, “The best dissertation is a done dissertation.” So don’t get hung up on perfecting every detail of your work. Think of your dissertation as a long-form assignment that you need to finish in order to move onto the next stage of your career. Many students continue revising after graduation and submit their work for publication or other professional objectives.

When you do finish writing your dissertation, it’s time to schedule your defense and invite friends and family to the part of the exam that’s open to the public. When that moment comes, how do you prepare to present your work and field questions about it?

“I reread my dissertation in full in one sitting,” said Dr. Labiner. “During all my time writing it, I’d never read more than one complete chapter at a time! It was a huge confidence boost to read my work in full and realize that I had produced a compelling, engaging, original argument.”

There are many other ways to prepare: create presentation slides and practice presenting them to friends or alone; think of questions you might be asked and answer them; think about what you want to wear or where you might want to sit (if you’re presenting on Zoom) that might give you a confidence boost. Iwanksi practiced presenting with her mentor and reviewed current papers to anticipate what questions her committee might ask.  If you want to really get in the zone, you can emulate Dr. Labiner and do a full dress rehearsal on Zoom the day before your defense.

But no matter what you do, you’ll still be nervous:

“I had a sense of the logistics, the timing, and so on, but I didn’t really have clear expectations outside of the structure. It was a sort of nebulous three hours in which I expected to be nauseatingly terrified,” recalled Dr. Labiner.

“I expected it to be terrifying, with lots of difficult questions and constructive criticism/comments given,” agreed Iwanski.

“I expected it to be very scary,” said Dr. Trejo.

“I expected it to be like I was on trial, and I’d have to defend myself and prove I deserved a PhD,” said Dr Atkins.

And, eventually, inexorably, it will be time to present.  

“It was actually very enjoyable” said Iwanski. “It was more of a celebration of years of work put into this project—not only by me but by my mentor, colleagues, lab members and collaborators! I felt very supported by all my committee members and, rather than it being a rapid fire of questions, it was more of a scientific discussion amongst colleagues who are passionate about heart disease and muscle biology.”

“I was anxious right when I logged on to the Zoom call for it,” said Dr. Labiner, “but I was blown away by the number of family and friends that showed up to support me. I had invited a lot of people who I didn’t at all think would come, but every single person I invited was there! Having about 40 guests – many of them joining from different states and several from different countries! – made me feel so loved and celebrated that my nerves were steadied very quickly. It also helped me go into ‘teaching mode’ about my work, so it felt like getting to lead a seminar on my most favorite literature.”

“In reality, my dissertation defense was similar to presenting at an academic conference,” said Dr. Atkins. “I went over my research in a practiced and organized way, and I fielded questions from the audience.

“It was a celebration and an important benchmark for me,” said Dr. Trejo. “It was a pretty happy day. Like the punctuation at the end of your sentence: this sentence is done; this journey is done. You can start the next sentence.”

If you want to learn more about dissertations in your own discipline, don’t hesitate to reach out to graduates from your program and ask them about their experiences. If you’d like to avail yourself of some of the resources that helped students in this article while they wrote and defended their dissertations, check out these links:

The Graduate Writing Lab

https://thinktank.arizona.edu/writing-center/graduate-writing-lab

The Writing Skills Improvement Program

https://wsip.arizona.edu

Campus Health Counseling and Psych Services

https://caps.arizona.edu

https://www.scribbr.com/

Preparing For Your Dissertation Defense

13 Key Questions To Expect In The Viva Voce

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) & David Phair (PhD) . Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2021

Preparing for your dissertation or thesis defense (also called a “viva voce”) is a formidable task . All your hard work over the years leads you to this one point, and you’ll need to defend yourself against some of the most experienced researchers you’ve encountered so far.

It’s natural to feel a little nervous.

In this post, we’ll cover some of the most important questions you should be able to answer in your viva voce, whether it’s for a Masters or PhD degree. Naturally, they might not arise in exactly the same form (some may not come up at all), but if you can answer these questions well, it means you’re in a good position to tackle your oral defense.

Viva Voce Prep: 13 Essential Questions

• What is your study about and why did you choose to research this in particular?
• How did your research questions evolve during the research process?
• How did you decide on which sources to include in your literature review?
• How did you design your study and why did you take this approach?
• How generalisable and valid are the findings?
• What were the main shortcomings and limitations created by your research design?
• How did your findings relate to the existing literature?
• What were your key findings in relation to the research questions?
• Were there any findings that surprised you?
• What biases may exist in your research?
• How can your findings be put into practice?
• How has your research contributed to current thinking in the field?
• If you could redo your research, how would you alter your approach?

#1: What is your study about and why did you choose to research this in particular?

This question, a classic party starter, is pretty straightforward.

What the dissertation or thesis committee is assessing here is your ability to clearly articulate your research aims, objectives and research questions in a concise manner. Concise is the keyword here – you need to clearly explain your research topic without rambling on for a half-hour. Don’t feel the need to go into the weeds here – you’ll have many opportunities to unpack the details later on.

In the second half of the question, they’re looking for a brief explanation of the justification of your research. In other words, why was this particular set of research aims, objectives and questions worth addressing? To address this question well in your oral defense, you need to make it clear what gap existed within the research and why that gap was worth filling.

#2: How did your research questions evolve during the research process?

Good research generally follows a long and winding path . It’s seldom a straight line (unless you got really lucky). What they’re assessing here is your ability to follow that path and let the research process unfold.

Specifically, they’ll want to hear about the impact that the literature review process had on you in terms of shaping the research aims, objectives and research questions . For example, you may have started with a certain set of aims, but then as you immersed yourself in the literature, you may have changed direction. Similarly, your initial fieldwork findings may have turned out some unexpected data that drove you to adjust or expand on your initial research questions.

Long story short – a good defense involves clearly describing your research journey , including all the twists and turns. Adjusting your direction based on findings in the literature or the fieldwork shows that you’re responsive , which is essential for high-quality research.

#3: How did you decide on which sources to include in your literature review?

A comprehensive literature review is the foundation of any high-quality piece of research. With this question, your dissertation or thesis committee are trying to assess which quality criteria and approach you used to select the sources for your literature review.

Typically, good research draws on both the seminal work in the respective field and more recent sources . In other words, a combination of the older landmark studies and pivotal work, along with up-to-date sources that build on to those older studies. This combination ensures that the study has a rock-solid foundation but is not out of date.

So, make sure that your study draws on a mix of both the “classics” and new kids on the block, and take note of any major evolutions in the literature that you can use as an example when asked this question in your viva voce.

#4: How did you design your study and why did you take this approach?

This is a classic methodological question that you can almost certainly expect in some or other shape.

What they’re looking for here is a clear articulation of the research design and methodology, as well as a strong justification of each choice . So, you need to be able to walk through each methodological choice and clearly explain both what you did and why you did it. The why is particularly important – you need to be able to justify each choice you made by clearly linking your design back to your research aims, objectives and research questions, while also taking into account practical constraints.

To ensure you cover every base, check out our research methodology vlog post , as well as our post covering the Research Onion .

#5: How generalizable and valid are the findings?

This question is aimed at specifically digging into your understanding of the sample and how that relates to the population, as well as potential validity issues in your methodology.

To answer question this well, you’ll need to critically assess your sample and findings and consider if they truly apply to the entire population, as well as whether they assessed what they set out to. Note that there are two components here – generalizability and validity . Generalizability is about how well the sample represents the population. Validity is about how accurately you’ve measured what you intended to measure .

To ace this part of your dissertation defense, make sure that you’re very familiar with the concepts of generalizability , validity and reliability , and how these apply to your research. Remember, you don’t need to achieve perfection – you just need to be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of your research (and how the weaknesses could be improved upon).

Need a helping hand?

#6: What were the main shortcomings and limitations created by your research design?

This question picks up where the last one left off.

As I mentioned, it’s perfectly natural that your research will have shortcomings and limitations as a result of your chosen design and methodology. No piece of research is flawless. Therefore, a good dissertation defense is not about arguing that your work is perfect, but rather it’s about clearly articulating the strengths and weaknesses of your approach.

To address this question well, you need to think critically about all of the potential weaknesses your design may have, as well as potential responses to these (which could be adopted in future research) to ensure you’re well prepared for this question. For a list of common methodological limitations, check out our video about research limitations here .

#7: How did your findings relate to the existing literature?

This common dissertation defense question links directly to your discussion chapter , where you would have presented and discussed the findings in relation to your literature review.

What your dissertation or thesis committee is assessing here is your ability to compare your study’s findings to the findings of existing research . Specifically, you need to discuss which findings aligned with existing research and which findings did not. For those findings that contrasted against existing research, you should also explain what you believe to be the reasons for this.

As with many questions in a viva voce, it’s both the what and the why that matter here. So, you need to think deeply about what the underlying reasons may be for both the similarities and differences between your findings and those of similar studies.

#8: What were your key findings in relation to the research questions?

This question is similar to the last one in that it too focuses on your research findings. However, here the focus is specifically on the findings that directly relate to your research questions (as opposed to findings in general).

So, a good way to prepare for this question is to step back and revisit your research questions . Ask yourself the following:

• What exactly were you asking in those questions, and what did your research uncover concerning them?
• Which questions were well answered by your study and which ones were lacking?
• Why were they lacking and what more could be done to address this in future research?

Conquering this part dissertation defense requires that you focus squarely on the research questions. Your study will have provided many findings (hopefully!), and not all of these will link directly to the research questions. Therefore, you need to clear your mind of all of the fascinating side paths your study may have lead you down and regain a clear focus on the research questions .

#9: Were there any findings that surprised you?

This question is two-pronged.

First, you should discuss the surprising findings that were directly related to the original research questions . Going into your research, you likely had some expectations in terms of what you would find, so this is your opportunity to discuss the outcomes that emerged as contrary to what you initially expected. You’ll also want to think about what the reasons for these contrasts may be.

Second, you should discuss the findings that weren’t directly related to the research questions, but that emerged from the data set . You may have a few or you may have none – although generally there are a handful of interesting musings that you can glean from the data set. Again, make sure you can articulate why you find these interesting and what it means for future research in the area.

What the committee is looking for in this type of question is your ability to interpret the findings holistically and comprehensively , and to respond to unexpected data. So, take the time to zoom out and reflect on your findings thoroughly.

#10: What biases may exist in your research?

Biases… we all have them.

For this question, you’ll need to think about potential biases in your research , in the data itself but also in your interpretation of the data. With this question, your committee is assessing whether you have considered your own potential biases and the biases inherent in your analysis approach (i.e. your methodology). So, think carefully about these research biases and be ready to explain how these may exist in your study.

In an oral defense, this question is often followed up with a question on how the biases were mitigated or could be mitigated in future research. So, give some thought not just to what biases may exist, but also the mitigation measures (in your own study and for future research).

#11: How can your findings be put into practice?

Another classic question in the typical viva voce.

With this question, your committee is assessing your ability to bring your findings back down to earth and demonstrate their practical value and application. Importantly, this question is not about the contribution to academia or the overall field of research (we’ll get to that next) – it is specifically asking about how this newly created knowledge can be used in the real world.

Naturally, the actionability of your findings will vary depending on the nature of your research topic. Some studies will produce many action points and some won’t. If you’re researching marketing strategies within an industry, for example, you should be able to make some very specific recommendations for marketing practitioners in that industry.

To help you flesh out points for this question, look back at your original justification for the research (i.e. in your introduction and literature review chapters). What were the driving forces that led you to research your specific topic? That justification should help you identify ways in which your findings can be put into practice.

#12: How has your research contributed to current thinking in the field?

While the previous question was aimed at practical contribution, this question is aimed at theoretical contribution . In other words, what is the significance of your study within the current body of research? How does it fit into the existing research and what does it add to it?

This question is often asked by a field specialist and is used to assess whether you’re able to place your findings into the research field to critically convey what your research contributed. This argument needs to be well justified – in other words, you can’t just discuss what your research contributed, you need to also back each proposition up with a strong why .

To answer this question well, you need to humbly consider the quality and impact of your work and to be realistic in your response. You don’t want to come across as arrogant (“my work is groundbreaking”), nor do you want to undersell the impact of your work. So, it’s important to strike the right balance between realistic and pessimistic .

This question also opens the door to questions about potential future research . So, think about what future research opportunities your study has created and which of these you feel are of the highest priority.

#13: If you could redo your research, how would you alter your approach?

This question is often used to wrap up a viva voce as it brings the discussion full circle.

Here, your committee is again assessing your ability to clearly identify and articulate the limitations and shortcomings of your research, both in terms of research design and topic focus . Perhaps, in hindsight, it would have been better to use a different analysis method or data set. Perhaps the research questions should have leaned in a slightly different direction. And so on.

This question intends to assess whether you’re able to look at your work critically , assess where the weaknesses are and make recommendations for the future. This question often sets apart those who did the research purely because it was required, from those that genuinely engaged with their research. So, don’t hold back here – reflect on your entire research journey ask yourself how you’d do things differently if you were starting with a  blank canvas today.

Recap: The 13 Key Dissertation Defense Questions

To recap, here are the 13 questions you need to be ready for to ace your dissertation or thesis oral defense:

As I mentioned, this list of dissertation defense questions is certainly not exhaustive – don’t assume that we’ve covered every possible question here. However, these questions are quite likely to come up in some shape or form in a typical dissertation or thesis defense, whether it’s for a Master’s degree, PhD or any other research degree. So, you should take the time to make sure you can answer them well.

If you need assistance preparing for your dissertation defense or viva voce, get in touch with us to discuss 1-on-1 coaching. We can critically review your research and identify potential issues and responses, as well as undertake a mock oral defense to prepare you for the pressures and stresses on the day.

Psst… there’s more (for free)

This post is part of our dissertation mini-course, which covers everything you need to get started with your dissertation, thesis or research project. 

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12 Comments

Very interesting

Interesting. I appreciate!

Really appreciating

My field is International Trade

Interesting

This is a full course on defence. I was fabulously enlightened and I gained enough confidence for my upcoming Masters Defence.

There are many lessons to learn and the simplicity in presentationmakes thee reader say “YesI can”

This is so helping… it has Enlightened me on how to answer specific questions. I pray to make it through for my upcoming defense

Lovely to hear that 🙂

Really educative and beneficial

Interesting. On-point and elaborate. And comforting too! Thanks.

Thank you very much for the enlightening me, be blessed

Thankyou so much. I am planning to defend my thesis soon and I found this very useful

Very interesting and useful to all masters and PhD students

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Dissertation Defense: Steps To Follow To Succeed

A dissertation defense is arguably one of the most important milestones in every student’s career. While it signals that your tenure as a student is soon about to close, it validates all your efforts towards your thesis.

Being cautious about including all the necessary details is very important to successfully complete your dissertation proposal defense. This article tells you everything that you need to know about writing a defense that can add great credibility to you as a student.

What is A Dissertation Defense?

The first thing that you need to learn is what is a dissertation defense and what is its purpose. In simple terms, it is a presentation made by a student to defend all the ideas and views that are presented in a dissertation.

The presenter must include details like what is the reason for choosing specific research methods, the theory that has been selected for the paper, and other such points. This presentation is made before an audience that comprises of the university committee, professors and even fellow-students. It is met with questions and answers that gives the student an opportunity to provide more clarity on the dissertation in order to convince the committee to approve it.

Stages of a Dissertation Defense

One of the most important dissertation defense tips provided by several professors is to breakdown the process into three steps:

• Preparation : This stage involves collection of all the necessary information that must be included in the defense dissertation and making all the arrangements for the actual meeting.
• The defense meeting : This is where you decide how you will present the defense. The actual meeting is hugely reliant on the performance, body language and the confidence in your oral defense.
• After the defense meeting : This stage, also known as the follow up, requires you to make the necessary revisions suggested by the university committee. You can even provide bound copies of the whole dissertation to distribute among different members of your departments. In the follow up stage, one must also think about expense that are related to publishing the Ph.D. dissertation defense as well as printing additional copies of the manuscript, if required.

How Long is a Dissertation Defense?

The first thing that a student should know is how long does a dissertation defense last? The length has to be carefully calculated to make the impact that you want. One of the most important steps in the dissertation preparation is to understand how much time each department allocates to the closing oral defense. When you plan in the early stages of your dissertation itself, you can write it in a manner that allows you to defend it in the allocated time.

Usually these meetings including the presentation, the oral defense and the question and answer session last for about two hours. In most cases, these two hours also encompass the time needed by members of the committee to deliberate.

How to Prepare for the Dissertation Defense

Now that you know how long is a dissertation defense, the next step is to prepare well enough to make your presentation impressive.

Here are some tips on how to prepare for a dissertation defense:

• Watch other students in action to learn about different presentation styles. You can attend defenses of different colleagues in your department as well as other departments in your university.
• Get all the details about the deadlines and the rules of your college or university about scheduling your defense.
• Scheduling is also a very important part of your preparation. It is important to note that members of the committee and University chairs need to make time for these defences in a very packed schedule. Coordinate the date, venue and time of your defense as early as possible.
• Prepare a manuscript adhering to the necessary formatting rules. Review your manuscript thoroughly before you hand it in. During your PH.D, your faculty will also assist you with the defense. For this, they must have a crisp and polished copy of your manuscript.
• Most colleges have the facility for a pre-defense meeting. This is the best opportunity to sort out any concerns that you may have about the actual meeting. It is a good idea to ask the chairs what types of questions may be put forward and if there are any problems with the defense that need to be resolved. When you prepare for a pre-defense meeting, think of it as the final one and give it your all.
• Put together all the material that you need for the defense. A detailed, yet to-the-point presentation must be prepared.
• The final stage of preparation is practicing your presentation over and over again. It is not just the presentation but also the approach towards the questions that you must practice.

Tips To Nail Your Actual Meeting

With these tips you will be one step closer towards a successful defense that will help your dissertation pass and be approved:

• All meetings should begin by addressing the chair. Make sure you thank all the committee members and the advisors for the efforts that they have put it. This gives you a professional start to the presentation.
• The presentation should cover the following subjects in brief:
• The research topic
• Literature review
• The methods used for analysis
• The primary findings of the research
• Recommendations of additional research on the subject in the focus.
• Do not get rattled by any discussions among the chairs. They will deliberate on any disagreements or topics of interest. This is a part of the process and is not a reflection of the presentation itself.
• There are two questions that are commonly asked that you should be prepared for. This includes the weaknesses of the dissertation and the research plans that you have made post-dissertation.
• Use subtle gestures when you are talking. Do not overuse your hands when doing so. The whole meeting including the question and answer session should have a very formal appeal.
• The tone of your voice must be assertive without making it seem like you are trying to hard. Be clear and enunciate when you speak.

Once the questions have been answered, the committee will leave the room. Then, after the deliberation, you will be informed if your dissertation has passed or not.

For affordable thesis writing assistance , get in touch our team today. The pricing is cheap but students can be assured of top notch quality in all our final products.

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Dissertation Defense

What is a dissertation defense?

The final oral examination for a doctoral candidate, commonly known as the dissertation defense, represents the conclusive formal stage prior to the submission of the dissertation manuscript and the conferral of the doctoral degree. This examination centers on the dissertation itself and its relevance within the candidate's area of academic specialization.

A successful defense is the peak of your academic career, so don’t treat it lightly. Make sure that you take enough time to learn everything there is to know about the topic and prepare well. If you look at your paper and it seems raw or unfinished, and especially if your academic advisor says so, it might be best to take another semester for prep. We don’t mean to scare you, but it truly is a responsible moment, and if you fail your defense, all the years of hard work will be wasted.

Defending doctoral dissertation is not going to be easy. If you don’t get to choose the members of your board and you will be met with unfamiliar faces, you might start to panic and feel lost. This is exactly why you need to be over-prepared. In fact, there’s no such thing as being overly prepared when it comes to your defense. Think of all the possible questions your dissertation committee members may have, even the most far-fetched ones, and then find the answers.

Doctoral dissertation defense process

During the dissertation defense, the candidate delivers an oral presentation of their dissertation to the Supervisory Committee (refer to the Supervisory Committee Policy) and to a public audience. The length of both the oral presentation and the subsequent question-and-answer session is determined through consultation between the Committee and the candidate, ensuring it meets the specific requirements and standards of the process.

The dissertation defense process, often the culmination of a doctoral program, is a critical step in the journey towards earning a PhD or similar advanced degree. This process involves several key stages designed to assess the quality, originality, and contribution of the candidate's research. Here's a general overview:

• Completion of the Dissertation : Before the defense can be scheduled, the dissertation must be completed. This involves conducting original research, writing up the findings, and often, revising the document based on the advisor's feedback.
• Submission of the Dissertation : Once the dissertation is completed and approved by the advisor, it must be submitted to the department or dissertation committee for review. This submission typically includes a written document detailing the candidate's research findings and conclusions.
• Scheduling the Defense : After the dissertation is submitted, a defense date is scheduled. The timing of this can vary widely depending on the institution and the specific requirements of the department.
• Preparation for the Defense : The candidate prepares a formal presentation of their research findings. This presentation is typically structured to highlight the research question, methodology, key findings, and the significance of the work.
• The Defense Event : The defense itself is a public forum in which the candidate presents their research to the dissertation committee and often, an audience of peers, faculty, and sometimes the general public. Following the presentation, committee members and sometimes audience members ask questions related to the research and the findings.
• Question and Answer Session : This session allows the committee to probe the candidate's understanding of the research area, methodology, and conclusions. The candidate must defend their research choices and conclusions, demonstrating deep knowledge of the subject.
• Committee Deliberation : Following the Q&A, the committee deliberates in private to decide whether the candidate has successfully defended the dissertation. Criteria for success can include the originality of the research, the soundness of the methodology, and the significance of the contributions to the field.
• Outcome Announcement : The committee then informs the candidate of the outcome. Possible outcomes can include pass, pass with minor revisions, pass with major revisions, or fail, although specifics can vary by institution.
• Completion of Revisions (if required) : If the committee requires revisions, the candidate must complete these before the degree can be officially awarded. The scope of revisions can vary significantly.
• Final Submission : After any required revisions are made and approved by the committee, the final version of the dissertation is submitted to the university. This often includes submitting bound copies of the dissertation and making it available through the university's library or institutional repository.
• Graduation and Degree Conferral : Following successful defense and submission of the final dissertation, the candidate is eligible to graduate and receive their doctoral degree.

This process is a significant milestone in an academic career, representing the transition from student to scholar and contributing new knowledge to the field.

Even though it may seem horrible and nerve-racking, the process of defending your dissertation is pretty straightforward. And if you take your time to prepare for it well, you will not have any problems with the defense itself.

The scariest part is presenting your work to a group of professionals. You have to show your proficiency in the field, ability to think critically and withstand criticism. Most colleges and universities will allow you to choose your own committee. So, try to take your pick as early as possible so you’re not left with people the rest of your group didn’t want. 

How to defend dissertation?

Navigating your dissertation defense involves thorough prep, including understanding your institution's format, mastering your material, anticipating committee questions, and perfecting your presentation. During the defense, remain poised, address inquiries with depth, and interact professionally. Post-defense, be ready for revisions. Ensure professional attire, early arrival, and confidence in your expertise. Embrace feedback as growth. Celebrate this significant academic milestone, as it's not only an examination but a showcase of your scholarly journey.

Defending your dissertation is a pivotal moment in your academic career. Here's a step-by-step guide to prepare for and successfully defend your dissertation:

Let’s assume that your dissertation paper is done and approved. The next step after choosing your committee would be preparation. In one of the committee meetings, you will discuss how much time you have for your defense and the Q&A session afterward. Normally, the whole defense lasts about an hour, but it can vary depending on the number of doctoral students defending on the same day. 

Preparing for your defense means getting thoroughly acquainted with your paper. It might seem like a ridiculous piece of advice if you’ve written it yourself, yet, with a paper of that size, it’s easy to get lost. If you’ve used a dissertation writing service , you need to take special care in learning the contents of your paper. 

Prepare a presentation that you will be showing to the committee. Make sure the slides are clear and easy to understand, with most information placed in the speaker notes. You don’t want to overload the slides with text. 

Analyze your dissertation and think of all the possible questions the defense board members may have afterward. It’s hard to anticipate what a professional may ask about your ‘rookie’ paper, so it might help to speak to your academic advisor before the PhD defense . They might shed some light on the inconsistencies and possible lack of analysis in some areas. 

How to prepare for defense day?

When the day of defending dissertation finally comes, no matter how prepared you are, it will still be stressful. So, it makes sense to come over-prepared. Learn your dissertation text by hard.

Find every grammatical mistake and fix it. Get acquainted with every letter and word and really make sure it’s perfect. If you are convinced your paper is perfect, it will be hard for the defense board to convince you otherwise. 

How do I know I’m ready for my PhD dissertation defense?

Your academic advisor is your best friend in this situation. They have lots of experience in the matter, and they will be the first person to tell you if your paper is defense-proof. If you see them doubting or if they are asking lots of questions, use those questions as learning points. 

Most likely, they criticize you not because they hate you. But because they want to show you your gaps in knowledge. This is a powerful tool to help you find blank spots and fill them

What should I bring to my PhD thesis defense?

• Presentation Materials : This includes any slides or visual aids you'll use to support your talk. Ensure they are ready and compatible with the equipment available.
• Laser Pointer : Useful for highlighting specific areas or data on your slides during the presentation.
• Copy of Your Dissertation : Have at least one printed copy for your own reference. It's helpful for addressing specific questions or sections during the Q&A.
• Pen or Pencil : For making quick notes or annotations based on feedback or questions you may receive.
• Notepad : To jot down notes, questions, or reminders during the defense.
• Bottle of Water : Keeping hydrated is important, especially since you'll be speaking for an extended period.
• Backup of Your Presentation : Have a backup on a USB drive or accessible online in case of technical difficulties.
• Any Necessary Forms : Sometimes, there are forms that committee members need to sign post-defense. Check with your department for any such requirements.
• Questions for Your Committee : Have a list of questions or clarifications you might want to ask your committee after your defense.
• A Watch or Timer : To keep track of your presentation time and ensure you cover all points within the allotted duration.

Depending on how long is a PhD defense, you will need a different supply. If you are planning to sit through your whole class’ defense, you will need lots of water, some snacks to eat during the breaks, and your presentation materials.

However, if you are allowed to only show up to your defense and not listen to the entire class defend their dissertations, the most important thing you need to have is your dissertation and presentation. And don’t forget to bring some water, it can help you calm down if you get stressed.

Why does the dissertation length vary?

Various elements, such as institutional standards, the research's complexity, the extent of analysis, and the presence of supplementary materials, can determine a dissertation's length.

The length of your defense may also depend on how long is a dissertation . If your dissertation is 70 pages, your defense will definitely run shorter than if it is 300 pages long. The length of your paper will also influence the length of your PowerPoint presentation and the number of questions you get.

But how do you defend a dissertation? Defense is just an academic word for presenting your findings. You do your research, you present it to the board, and they ask you questions. By answering these questions, you defend the legitimacy and academic value of your doctoral defense research.

The key here is preparedness. Being well-acquainted with the contents of your paper and being able to defend it is your key to success. If you’re not sure about some parts of your dissertation, consult your academic advisor. They will be willing to help and advise you on whether you should take another semester to prepare.

Of course, it’s a great thing that ‘ write my dissertation ’ services exist. You can address a service like Studyfy and rely on it completely in the dissertation writing process. If you do, you can order your dissertation chapter by chapter and bring each draft to the professor for their notes and critiques.

What else do I need to know?

The most important part is you need to be prepared to defend dissertation meaning, and you need to know your dissertation by heart and be ready to justify every word in it. Sure, it may sound terrifying but thinking that millions of people have done that before you might give you some ease. 

How long is a dissertation defense?

Normally, defending my dissertation shouldn’t take more than an hour and a half. It usually lasts anywhere between 30 minutes and 1,5 hours.

It depends on your academic level, the number of people defending, and your preparedness. If the committee members sense you’re ill-prepared, they will ask you more questions.

It’s not because they want to thank you, but actually because they want to give you more chances. Asking more questions is usually an attempt to find an area that you’re very good at to give you a chance to redeem yourself.Your doctoral defense ia an important part of your doctoral journey, and it's bound to be more intense than a bachelor’s one. That’s only natural. Since your doctoral dissertation will be more in-depth, show a deeper understanding of the subject and better proficiency. 

The length of your defense will depend on many factors. But the most important one is your preparedness and confidence. If you are not prepared well, the dissertation committee will ask you lots of questions. They do that to find an area of study that you are good at, but at that moment, it might make you even more stressed. So, coming prepared is the best thing you can do for your defense to be successful. 

Using services like Studyfy is also an option. Yet, you must understand that if you show up with a perfectly written paper, yet you have no idea what it’s about, it will raise even more questions. That’s why you must prepare very well, regardless if you write your paper yourself or outsource it. If you still have some questions about how to write a dissertation , make sure to read our guide.

What is the key to dissertation defense?

Comprehensive Preparation: Familiarize yourself with your institution's defense protocols and engage in extensive practice. Segment your thesis for easier presentation, manage timing, highlight essential arguments, and anticipate likely inquiries. Organize a practice defense session to gain comfort with the procedure.

The most important thing you need to do to defend my dissertation is to start your prep early enough. What does it mean to defend your dissertation? Your defense is the pinnacle of all the hard work you've put in your studies throughout the years. Every time you write a paper, you must understand that you may use that research for your dissertation. So, your prep for dissertation defense starts as soon as you enter college.

What is defending a dissertation? Are there dissertation committee members?

Defending dissertation meaning is the process of presenting your research and findings to the board. Regardless if you buy dissertation or write it yourself, you will need to defend it. This is why you need to prepare carefully for your defense - study your paper through and through, think about all the possible questions you may be asked and think of the answers.

The dissertation committee or the dissertation chair are faculty members that will simply ask dissertation defense questions - some about research methodology, and some about the primary role of your work. Before the actual oral defense, try setting up a mock defense with your friend and go over the important topics.

How long is a thesis defense?

It depends on the length of your paper. Since your master’s thesis will probably be a bit shorter than a doctorate dissertation, you can count on your oral defense lasting up to an hour. Again, the length of the doctorate defense depends on how well you are prepared and how you handle the professors’ questions. 

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• Writing Tips

How to Prepare for Your Dissertation Defense

4-minute read

• 1st August 2023

After years of research and study, you’ve finally reached the grand finale of your PhD years: your dissertation defense. Since defending your dissertation is the culmination of all your hard work, it’s essential to do everything you can to prepare for it.

In this post, we’ll take you through how to ready yourself for your dissertation defense so you can focus on your accomplishments and excel during this crucial professional moment.

What is a Dissertation Defense? 

The dissertation defense is the crowning moment of years of research – the final examination before a PhD student is awarded their doctoral degree.

During a dissertation defense, the student presents their research, methodology, findings, and conclusions to a committee of faculty members and experts in their field. The committee then engages in a question-and-answer session to assess the student’s understanding of the subject matter, the quality of their research, and their ability to defend their work under scrutiny.

Many PhD students consider it to be the defining moment of their academic career and their chance to prove their expertise in their chosen research field.

If all this sounds overwhelming – don’t worry. If you’re a PhD student, you’ll have plenty of time and opportunity to adequately prepare for your dissertation defense. Below are some strategies to help you get ready for this significant occasion in your career.

1.   Know the Requirements

Familiarize yourself with your institution’s guidelines and requirements for the defense process. Understanding the format, time limit, and expectations for the presentation will help you to prepare your material and anticipate any issues.

2.   Review Your Dissertation

Even if you think you know it inside and out, review your dissertation from beginning to end. It may have been some time since you’ve last read and considered certain portions of your research and findings. Consider what your committee might ask about your research questions , data analysis, and conclusions.

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3.   Work on Starting Strong

To begin your defense on a strong note, work on creating a clear and engaging introduction. You can start by briefly outlining the purpose of your study, research questions, and methodology . Try to stay on topic and don’t veer off track by discussing unrelated or unnecessary information.

4.   Practice Presenting

Practice your presentation skills by rehearsing your defense multiple times. Focus on clarity and pacing and try to stay within the allotted time limit. It also helps to record yourself so that you can see yourself from your audience’s point of view.

5.   Practice Q&A Sessions

To build your confidence, enlist friends and colleagues to conduct mock question-and-answer sessions. When practicing, remember to pause before answering questions you’re unsure of. It’s better to take your time delivering a response than it is to give an inaccurate or incorrect answer.

6.   Seek Feedback

Find out if your institution offers mock defense sessions where peers or mentors play the role of the committee, ask you questions, and give feedback . You can also have colleagues, mentors, or advisors review your presentation and offer practical feedback.

7.   Create Visual Aids

Think about any visual aids , such as slides, you may want to use to illustrate your defense and prepare them in advance. Be sure to check that your university allows visuals or images and that they enhance, rather than overwhelm, your presentation.

8.   Stay Calm and Confident

It’s natural to feel nervous but try to stay calm and composed during your defense. Take deep breaths and remind yourself of the expertise you’ve gained through the experience of writing your dissertation.

Expert Proofreading Services

The best way to prepare for your dissertation defense is to have your dissertation professionally proofread. Our editing experts have extensive experience with a wide variety of academic subjects and topics and can help ensure your dissertation is ready for presentation. Send in a free sample of 500 words or less and get started today.

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13 Tips to Prepare for Your PhD Dissertation Defense

How well do you know your project? Years of experiments, analysis of results, and tons of literature study, leads you to how well you know your research study. And, PhD dissertation defense is a finale to your PhD years. Often, researchers question how to excel at their thesis defense and spend countless hours on it. Days, weeks, months, and probably years of practice to complete your doctorate, needs to surpass the dissertation defense hurdle.

In this article, we will discuss details of how to excel at PhD dissertation defense and list down some interesting tips to prepare for your thesis defense.

Table of Contents

What Is Dissertation Defense?

Dissertation defense or Thesis defense is an opportunity to defend your research study amidst the academic professionals who will evaluate of your academic work. While a thesis defense can sometimes be like a cross-examination session, but in reality you need not fear the thesis defense process and be well prepared.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesHaytonPhDacademy

What are the expectations of committee members.

Choosing the dissertation committee is one of the most important decision for a research student. However, putting your dissertation committee becomes easier once you understand the expectations of committee members.

The basic function of your dissertation committee is to guide you through the process of proposing, writing, and revising your dissertation. Moreover, the committee members serve as mentors, giving constructive feedback on your writing and research, also guiding your revision efforts.

The dissertation committee is usually formed once the academic coursework is completed. Furthermore, by the time you begin your dissertation research, you get acquainted to the faculty members who will serve on your dissertation committee. Ultimately, who serves on your dissertation committee depends upon you.

Some universities allow an outside expert (a former professor or academic mentor) to serve on your committee. It is advisable to choose a faculty member who knows you and your research work.

How to Choose a Dissertation Committee Member?

• Avoid popular and eminent faculty member
• Choose the one you know very well and can approach whenever you need them
• A faculty member whom you can learn from is apt.
• Members of the committee can be your future mentors, co-authors, and research collaborators. Choose them keeping your future in mind.

How to Prepare for Dissertation Defense?

1. Start Your Preparations Early

Thesis defense is not a 3 or 6 months’ exercise. Don’t wait until you have completed all your research objectives. Start your preparation well in advance, and make sure you know all the intricacies of your thesis and reasons to all the research experiments you conducted.

2. Attend Presentations by Other Candidates

Look out for open dissertation presentations at your university. In fact, you can attend open dissertation presentations at other universities too. Firstly, this will help you realize how thesis defense is not a scary process. Secondly, you will get the tricks and hacks on how other researchers are defending their thesis. Finally, you will understand why dissertation defense is necessary for the university, as well as the scientific community.

3. Take Enough Time to Prepare the Slides

Dissertation defense process harder than submitting your thesis well before the deadline. Ideally, you could start preparing the slides after finalizing your thesis. Spend more time in preparing the slides. Make sure you got the right data on the slides and rephrase your inferences, to create a logical flow to your presentation.

4. Structure the Presentation

Do not be haphazard in designing your presentation. Take time to create a good structured presentation. Furthermore, create high-quality slides which impresses the committee members. Make slides that hold your audience’s attention. Keep the presentation thorough and accurate, and use smart art to create better slides.

5. Practice Breathing Techniques

Watch a few TED talk videos and you will notice that speakers and orators are very fluent at their speech. In fact, you will not notice them taking a breath or falling short of breath. The only reason behind such effortless oratory skill is practice — practice in breathing technique.

Moreover, every speaker knows how to control their breath. Long and steady breaths are crucial. Pay attention to your breathing and slow it down. All you need I some practice prior to this moment.

6. Create an Impactful Introduction

The audience expects a lot from you. So your opening statement should enthrall the audience. Furthermore, your thesis should create an impact on the members; they should be thrilled by your thesis and the way you expose it.

The introduction answers most important questions, and most important of all “Is this presentation worth the time?” Therefore, it is important to make a good first impression , because the first few minutes sets the tone for your entire presentation.

7. Maintain Your Own List of Questions

While preparing for the presentation, make a note of all the questions that you ask yourself. Try to approach all the questions from a reader’s point of view. You could pretend like you do not know the topic and think of questions that could help you know the topic much better.

The list of questions will prepare you for the questions the members may pose while trying to understand your research. Attending other candidates’ open discussion will also help you assume the dissertation defense questions.

8. Practice Speech and Body Language

After successfully preparing your slides and practicing, you could start focusing on how you look while presenting your thesis. This exercise is not for your appearance but to know your body language and relax if need be.

Pay attention to your body language. Stand with your back straight, but relax your shoulders. The correct posture will give you the feel of self-confidence. So, observe yourself in the mirror and pay attention to movements you make.

9. Give Mock Presentation

Giving a trial defense in advance is a good practice. The most important factor for the mock defense is its similarity to your real defense, so that you get the experience that prepares for the actual defense.

10. Learn How to Handle Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes. However, it is important to carry on. Do not let the mistakes affect your thesis defense. Take a deep breath and move on to the next point.

11. Do Not Run Through the Presentation

If you are nervous, you would want to end the presentation as soon as possible. However, this situation will give rise to anxiety and you will speak too fast, skipping the essential details. Eventually, creating a fiasco of your dissertation defense .

12. Get Plenty of Rest

Out of the dissertation defense preparation points, this one is extremely important. Obviously, sleeping a day before your big event is hard, but you have to focus and go to bed early, with the clear intentions of getting the rest you deserve.

13. Visualize Yourself Defending Your Thesis

This simple exercise creates an immense impact on your self-confidence. All you have to do is visualize yourself giving a successful presentation each evening before going to sleep. Everyday till the day of your thesis defense, see yourself standing in front of the audience and going from one point to another.

This exercise takes a lot of commitment and persistence, but the results in the end are worth it. Visualization makes you see yourself doing the scary thing of defending your thesis.

If you have taken all these points into consideration, you are ready for your big day. You have worked relentlessly for your PhD degree , and you will definitely give your best in this final step.

Have you completed your thesis defense? How did you prepare for it and how was your experience throughout your dissertation defense ? Do write to us or comment below.

The tips are very useful.I will recomend it to our students.

Excellent. As a therapist trying to help a parent of a candidate, I am very impressed and thankful your concise, clear, action-oriented article. Thank you.

Thanks for your sharing. It is so good. I can learn a lot from your ideas. Hope that in my dissertation defense next time I can pass

The tips are effective. Will definitely apply them in my dissertation.

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Trapped in dissertation revisions?

Preparing for your dissertation defense, published by steve tippins on april 4, 2019 april 4, 2019.

Last Updated on: 30th August 2022, 04:43 am

Preparing for your dissertation defense is one of the most important things you’ll do as a doctoral candidate. Now that you’ve completed your dissertation, it’s up to you to present the results to your committee.

However, the results aren’t just about your study. Your committee wants to see what you learned through the process and whether you are ready to take on the responsibility of being a scholar.

What is a Dissertation Defense?

When you finish your dissertation and your committee has said you are ready to move forward, there is a formal meeting–your dissertation defense–where you have the opportunity to explain what you did and what you found.

Your committee then has the opportunity to ask questions related to your work, the implications of what you found, and your future. It is a chance for you to stand before your peers and be welcomed into the academy. Defending your dissertation is one of the great rites of passage into the world of academia.

How to Prepare for Your Dissertation Defense

Rather than write a quick list of dissertation defense tips, I thought I’d create a comprehensive guide to defending your dissertation. After chairing and sitting on countless dissertation committees, these are the steps I recommend you take.

Cultivate The Right Attitude

Perhaps the most important thing to have as you prepare to defend your dissertation is a revised view of your academic self. You’ve spent years gaining knowledge on your chosen subject, and now is your time to shine. While it’s natural to be nervous — after all, you’re jumping the highest hurdle in academia — keep in mind that this is your moment to shine and that you are now an expert on the topic.

One way to look at the dissertation defense is as a rite of passage. You are being tested, and just as with any rite of passage, the more rigorous the test, the prouder you will be of making it through.

During the process of your defense, keep this in mind: your committee tests you not only to ensure your worthiness but also to enable you to see just how much you know; to step into your new role as “expert.”

Prepare For Your Committee’s Questions

With this attitude in mind, you will want to prepare to demonstrate your expertise. That means anticipating questions the committee may have about your research.

If your dissertation asserts the likelihood of a recession in the presence of particular economic indicators, your committee will want to know what socio-political conditions are linked to these indicators. If you found that high achieving students are more likely to have had parents who volunteered in their schools, your committee members will likely ask you to speculate about how to increase parent involvement in schools.

In other words, you’ll need to be able to participate in discourse beyond your results — questions that speak to the relevance and implications of your research.

This kind of preparation goes beyond creating a PowerPoint of your findings (though that is necessary too); it’s part of your stepping into your expert role.

One thing I always tell my students is “Be able to explain your topic to your grandparents,” because to elucidate someone who knows nothing about the topic (no offense to the grandparents!) you must know it inside and out.

Of course, you’ll also want to know your topic well enough to discuss the topic with the top researchers in the field, but at this stage, you’ll have read enough of their work that you’ll feel you know them personally. It’s usually more difficult for academics to simplify than to complicate.

To ready yourself for potential questions, give your abstract to a few friends outside your academic program and have them ask you questions about your study. The advantage is their “outsider” perspective; you’ll have fun answering their questions and will likely have to make a few new neuronal connections to do so. Practicing like this will also help you relax during the actual defense.

Here are some questions you may be asked during your dissertation defense :

• “What are the strengths and weaknesses of your study?”
• “What was the most surprising thing you found?”
• “What will you do next with your results?”
• “If you could do this over, what would you do differently?”

Organize Your Presentation

Keep in mind that your presentation to your committee can double as your presentation to the faculty at any university to which you apply; your preparation will serve a dual purpose. You’ll need, therefore:

• a concise overview of the literature in which your study is grounded,
• a clear description of your study’s purpose, methodology, and findings,
• and a discussion of the implications of these findings.

Naturally, you will need to consult your department’s and college’s specific requirements, but every dissertation committee (and faculty search committee) will want to fully understand these basic elements of your work.

I have provided a list of questions to help prepare your dissertation defense. If you have time restrictions I would put more emphasis upon your results and the implications of your work. Think of organizing your slides according to these questions:

1. Why did I choose to study this? Don’t be afraid to reveal something personal about your motivation, as long as you can do so with poise and dignity. Your committee members will appreciate this humanizing element but keep it brief!

2. What have other people interested in this topic found? If your study is the next clue in the hunt for answers about this topic, what were the clues that led you here? What paths have past researchers gone down — both fruitful and not? What solid theoretical foundation stands under your study?

This portion of your presentation is the easiest to overdo. You will likely need to edit it again and again to ensure it is both concise and comprehensive. Stick to the major themes in your presentation but be prepared to answer questions about less dominant streams of research.

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3. How did my research question evolve? Answering this question links your research to what has already been established, placing your study in the stream of knowledge. Keep it brief but don’t skip this step, as it is key to showing you as an academic, rather than a student.

4. How did I organize my study? This is a description of the basics of your study and the “whys” of these choices. You can expand a bit here, as the decisions you made at this stage demonstrate your ability to think critically about approaching a research question. Why did you choose your particular methodology? What was the benefit of this design over another option you might have chosen?

5. What did I find? You can begin this section with what you expected to find and why, then explain what you actually found. Keep this section simple and factual.

6. What do the findings mean in relation to the question? Whether or not your findings matched your expectations, they tell you and your colleagues something important about the topic. What is it? Can we speculate that this is a promising area of research, or is this a path we might think of as a dead end? What, exactly, does this study tell us?

7. What’s next for me and for the research? You’ll want to give your committee (and any faculty search committee) a preview of your prospective academic career. What new questions has your study sparked for you? What would you hope other researchers would look at next? How do you intend to fit into the academic conversation on this topic?

Depending on your committee and requirements, you may want to include potential grants you will consider applying for to fund your next study. (This inclusion becomes more important when applying for academic positions.)

Prepare Yourself Mentally

Going back to attitude, remind yourself that a dissertation defense is your opportunity to step into your new role. This is your domain now. Breathe deeply and feel the pride that comes with a job well done. Know that you belong in this realm and the dissertation defense is your chance to prove it. Be humble, too; after all, you stand on the shoulders of giants.

Getting enough rest the night before, drinking water and bringing some with you to drink when your mouth gets dry, and being wise about what you consume prior to the defense (maybe go easy on the carbs and caffeine) are all obvious but frequently overlooked pointers. Your committee members want to know you can handle the pressure and take care of yourself under duress .

You might want to give yourself a few minutes of silence and rest before heading in to defend. Take those moments to recognize whatever you’re feeling, then humbly begin your academic career by presenting your most important work to date. And then get ready to roll up your sleeves for the next one. Congratulations, Doctor!

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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Dissertation defense, preparing for your defense, presentation tips.

• Prepare for technical difficulties. If you’re using presentation slides, make a hard copy.
• Consider handouts for any data that should be presented graphically.
• Begin by explaining the problem or questions that led to your research.
• Explain your methods for answering the question or solving the problem.
• Present your major findings, the ones most relevant to your problem or questions.
• Discuss the implications, significance, or applications of your findings.
• Discuss where your research leads you as you begin your scholarly career—what further research does it suggest? What kind of publication opportunities do you see coming from it?

During the Defense

• Stay calm and smile a bit.
• Listen carefully. Academics aren’t known for their brevity, and the questions you’re asked may be lengthy. Often, committee members preface their questions with explanations of their own theories or ideas. At other times, they’ll be formulating their questions even as they ask them.
• If you can’t focus on a question, repeat it to be sure you have understood it.
• Don’t be afraid to pause to collect your thoughts. You may even let your committee know you are thinking by announcing you need a moment to gather your thoughts.
• Acknowledge you’re not sure, but take a stab at it.
• Repeat the question, pause a bit to think, and then use what you do know to help you find an answer.
• Does the question make you curious? What would you need to know to answer it? Answer by saying you do not know but would like to, and why.
• Answer by saying you don’t know but that the question has interesting implications. Then explain why.

Common Questions

• Tell me about your dissertation.
• Who are the important contributors to your approach to the topic?
• What led you to your research question(s)? Who were the scholars who most influenced your choice of topic and your approach to methodology?
• What theories have guided your choice of methodology or analysis?
• What are the weaknesses in your method?
• How do your findings fit into the literature on this topic?
• How do you explain why your findings/theories contradict those of scholar or researcher X?
• What are the gaps in your knowledge?
• What did your dissertation fail to answer?
• What are the wider implications of your research/findings for the field?
• What is your next step as a scholar/researcher?

Also recommended for you:

How To Prepare For A Dissertation Defense

Tom Baldwin - Jan 23, 2024

The journey of completing a dissertation is a significant achievement, but the final hurdle – the dissertation defense – can be both challenging and rewarding. This crucial step, known as the dissertation defense, allows you to showcase your expertise, defend your research, and prove that you have mastered your subject. In this comprehensive guide on “How To Prepare For A Dissertation Defense,” we’ll explore the intricacies of this academic milestone and provide you with 13+ invaluable tips to ensure you are well-prepared for the defense of your research.

Key TakeAway

• Start early: Organize, refine, practice – avoid last-minute stress.
• Prepare for questions: Anticipate them from your dissertation and practice clear answers
• Rehearse & manage nerves: Practice presentation & body language, and have strategies for mistakes & anxiety.
• Communicate & respect time: Be open with the committee, and present within the allocated time.
• Ensure Practical Relevance:Evaluate industry implications, align with career goals, and build a professional network.

Explanation Of Dissertation Defense

Before delving into the preparation tips, let’s understand what a dissertation defense entails. It is a public presentation where you present and defend your research findings before a committee of faculty members. This committee evaluates the quality and originality of your work, challenging you with questions to gauge your understanding and mastery of the subject matter.

15 Tips on How to Prepare for a Dissertation Defense

Successfully defending your dissertation is a significant milestone in your academic journey, marking the culmination of years of research and hard work. The dissertation defense is an opportunity to showcase your expertise, answer probing questions from your committee, and demonstrate the depth of your understanding in your chosen field. To help you navigate this crucial event, here are 15 valuable tips on how to prepare for a dissertation defense.

1. Early Initiation Of Preparations For Dissertation Defense

Commence your preparations early to avoid last-minute stress. Start organizing your materials, refining your presentation, and scheduling practice sessions well in advance.

2. Observation Of Other Candidates’ Dissertation Defense Sessions

Attending other candidates’ defense sessions can offer valuable insights into the process. Observe the dynamics, types of questions asked, and presentation styles to better prepare yourself.

3. Commencement Of Preparations Well In Advance

Begin preparing for your defense well ahead of the scheduled date. Adequate time allows for thoughtful revisions, refining your arguments, and addressing any potential weaknesses in your presentation.

4. Identification Of Potential Questions Arising From The Dissertation And Presentation

Anticipate potential questions by thoroughly reviewing your dissertation. Consider aspects where your committee may seek clarification or request further elaboration.

5. Crafting An Engaging Introduction

Start your defense with a compelling introduction. Clearly articulate the purpose of your research, and its significance, and provide a roadmap for your presentation to capture the committee’s attention from the outset.

6. Preparation For Anticipated Questions From Committee Members

Identify probable questions committee members might ask based on your research. Develop concise and well-thought-out responses to demonstrate your understanding and expertise.

7. Maintenance Of A Question List

Keep a list of potential questions and revisit them during your preparation. This proactive approach ensures that you are not caught off guard during the actual defense.

8. Rehearsal Of Speech And Body Language

Practice your presentation multiple times to refine your speech and perfect your body language. Ensure that your delivery is clear and confident, and conveys enthusiasm for your research.

9. Acquisition Of Strategies For Handling Mistakes

It’s normal to make mistakes. Develop strategies to gracefully handle errors, whether technical glitches or gaps in your knowledge. Maintain composure and redirect the discussion back to your key points.

10. Avoidance Of Rushing Through The Presentation

Resist the urge to rush through your presentation. Speak at a moderate pace, allowing committee members to absorb your content. This deliberate approach also conveys confidence in your material.

11. Visualization Of Defending The Thesis

Mentally visualize yourself successfully defending your thesis. Positive visualization can enhance your confidence and help alleviate anxiety associated with the defense.

12. Incorporation Of Breathing Techniques In Practice

Practice deep breathing techniques to manage stress and anxiety. Controlled breathing can have a calming effect, ensuring you remain composed during the defense.

13. Communication With Committee Members

Establish open lines of communication with your committee members before the defense. Seek feedback on your work, clarify expectations, and address any concerns they may have.

14. Duration Of A Dissertation Defense

While there’s no one-size-fits-all duration for a defense, aim to keep your presentation within the allocated time. Respect your committee members’ time constraints and leave ample room for questions and discussions.

15. Committee Members’ Expectations

Understanding your committee members’ expectations is crucial. Review their areas of expertise and tailor your presentation to align with their interests. This thoughtful approach demonstrates your consideration and respect for their perspectives.

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Duration Of A Dissertation Defense

When it comes to the duration of a dissertation defense, finding the right balance is key to a successful presentation. While there isn’t a strict one-size-fits-all rule, understanding how to effectively manage time during your defense is crucial for both you and your committee members.

Determining the Ideal Presentation Length

Typically, a dissertation defense presentation spans a duration of 20 to 30 minutes. This timeframe allows you to concisely present your research without overwhelming your audience. However, it’s essential to check with your academic institution or department, as specific guidelines may vary.

Strategies for Time Management

1. introduction (5 minutes).

Use the initial minutes to grab your audience’s attention. Clearly articulate the purpose of your research, and its significance, and provide an overview of what to expect during your presentation.

2. Main Presentation (15-20 minutes)

Dive into the core of your research, emphasizing key findings, methodologies, and the impact of your work. Keep the content focused, avoiding unnecessary details that may prolong the presentation.

3. Question and Answer Session (10-15 minutes)

Allocate sufficient time for the committee members to pose questions and engage in discussions. This segment is equally important, allowing you to demonstrate your depth of knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Adapting to Institutional Guidelines

Different institutions may have specific guidelines regarding the duration of a dissertation defense. Some may allow a more flexible timeframe, while others adhere to a strict schedule. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines and adjust your presentation accordingly.

Practice for Precision

Rehearsing your presentation is crucial for gauging its duration. Time yourself during practice sessions to ensure that you can comfortably cover all essential aspects within the allocated timeframe. This practice not only enhances your time management skills but also contributes to a more polished and confident delivery.

Flexibility and Adaptability

While adhering to the recommended timeframe is important, be prepared for unexpected adjustments. Committee members may have additional questions or engage in more extended discussions, so it’s essential to be adaptable without compromising the quality of your responses.

What Are The Expectations Of Committee Members?

Committee members expect a well-prepared and articulate presentation that showcases your research’s significance and contribution to the field. They anticipate thoughtful responses to their questions, demonstrating your mastery of the subject matter.

Q1: Can I Bring Notes Or A Script To My Defense?

Yes, you can bring notes, but avoid reading directly from a script. Use your notes as a reference to stay on track and provide concise answers.

Q2: How Should I Handle Challenging Questions?

Approach challenging questions with composure. If you’re unsure, admit it, and express a willingness to explore the topic further. Your honesty and openness can earn respect from the committee.

Q3: Is PhD Defense A Formality?

No, a Ph.D. defense is not merely a formality. It is a significant academic event where a candidate presents and defends their research findings before a committee to demonstrate their expertise and contribute to the field. It involves rigorous questioning and assessment of the candidate’s work.

In conclusion, the dissertation defense is a culmination of your academic journey, requiring meticulous preparation and confidence in your abilities. By following these 13+ tips, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate this challenging but rewarding experience. Remember, your defense is not just an assessment; it’s an opportunity to showcase the depth of your knowledge and the significance of your research. Embrace the process, stay focused, and celebrate your achievements as you successfully defend your dissertation. 

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How to prepare an excellent thesis defense

What is a thesis defense?

How long is a thesis defense, what happens at a thesis defense, your presentation, questions from the committee, 6 tips to help you prepare for your thesis defense, 1. anticipate questions and prepare for them, 2. dress for success, 3. ask for help, as needed, 4. have a backup plan, 5. prepare for the possibility that you might not know an answer, 6. de-stress before, during, and after, frequently asked questions about preparing an excellent thesis defense, related articles.

If you're about to complete, or have ever completed a graduate degree, you have most likely come across the term "thesis defense." In many countries, to finish a graduate degree, you have to write a thesis .

A thesis is a large paper, or multi-chapter work, based on a topic relating to your field of study.

Once you hand in your thesis, you will be assigned a date to defend your work. Your thesis defense meeting usually consists of you and a committee of two or more professors working in your program. It may also include other people, like professionals from other colleges or those who are working in your field.

During your thesis defense, you will be asked questions about your work. The main purpose of your thesis defense is for the committee to make sure that you actually understand your field and focus area.

The questions are usually open-ended and require the student to think critically about their work. By the time of your thesis defense, your paper has already been evaluated. The questions asked are not designed so that you actually have to aggressively "defend" your work; often, your thesis defense is more of a formality required so that you can get your degree.

• Check with your department about requirements and timing.
• Re-read your thesis.
• Anticipate questions and prepare for them.
• Create a back-up plan to deal with technology hiccups.
• Plan de-stressing activities both before, and after, your defense.

How long your oral thesis defense is depends largely on the institution and requirements of your degree. It is best to consult your department or institution about this. In general, a thesis defense may take only 20 minutes, but it may also take two hours or more. The length also depends on how much time is allocated to the presentation and questioning part.

Tip: Check with your department or institution as soon as possible to determine the approved length for a thesis defense.

First of all, be aware that a thesis defense varies from country to country. This is just a general overview, but a thesis defense can take many different formats. Some are closed, others are public defenses. Some take place with two committee members, some with more examiners.

The same goes for the length of your thesis defense, as mentioned above. The most important first step for you is to clarify with your department what the structure of your thesis defense will look like. In general, your thesis defense will include:

• your presentation of around 20-30 minutes
• questions from the committee
• questions from the audience (if the defense is public and the department allows it)

You might have to give a presentation, often with Powerpoint, Google slides, or Keynote slides. Make sure to prepare an appropriate amount of slides. A general rule is to use about 10 slides for a 20-minute presentation.

But that also depends on your specific topic and the way you present. The good news is that there will be plenty of time ahead of your thesis defense to prepare your slides and practice your presentation alone and in front of friends or family.

Tip: Practice delivering your thesis presentation in front of family, friends, or colleagues.

You can prepare your slides by using information from your thesis' first chapter (the overview of your thesis) as a framework or outline. Substantive information in your thesis should correspond with your slides.

Make sure your slides are of good quality— both in terms of the integrity of the information and the appearance. If you need more help with how to prepare your presentation slides, both the ASQ Higher Education Brief and James Hayton have good guidelines on the topic.

The committee will ask questions about your work after you finish your presentation. The questions will most likely be about the core content of your thesis, such as what you learned from the study you conducted. They may also ask you to summarize certain findings and to discuss how your work will contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

Tip: Read your entire thesis in preparation of the questions, so you have a refreshed perspective on your work.

While you are preparing, you can create a list of possible questions and try to answer them. You can foresee many of the questions you will get by simply spending some time rereading your thesis.

Here are a few tips on how to prepare for your thesis defense:

You can absolutely prepare for most of the questions you will be asked. Read through your thesis and while you're reading it, create a list of possible questions. In addition, since you will know who will be on the committee, look at the academic expertise of the committee members. In what areas would they most likely be focused?

If possible, sit at other thesis defenses with these committee members to get a feel for how they ask and what they ask. As a graduate student, you should generally be adept at anticipating test questions, so use this advantage to gather as much information as possible before your thesis defense meeting.

Your thesis defense is a formal event, often the entire department or university is invited to participate. It signals a critical rite of passage for graduate students and faculty who have supported them throughout a long and challenging process.

While most universities don't have specific rules on how to dress for that event, do regard it with dignity and respect. This one might be a no-brainer, but know that you should dress as if you were on a job interview or delivering a paper at a conference.

It might help you deal with your stress before your thesis defense to entrust someone with the smaller but important responsibilities of your defense well ahead of schedule. This trusted person could be responsible for:

• preparing the room of the day of defense
• setting up equipment for the presentation
• preparing and distributing handouts

Technology is unpredictable. Life is too. There are no guarantees that your Powerpoint presentation will work at all or look the way it is supposed to on the big screen. We've all been there. Make sure to have a plan B for these situations. Handouts can help when technology fails, and an additional clean shirt can save the day if you have a spill.

One of the scariest aspects of the defense is the possibility of being asked a question you can't answer. While you can prepare for some questions, you can never know exactly what the committee will ask.

There will always be gaps in your knowledge. But your thesis defense is not about being perfect and knowing everything, it's about how you deal with challenging situations. You are not expected to know everything.

James Hayton writes on his blog that examiners will sometimes even ask questions they don't know the answer to, out of curiosity, or because they want to see how you think. While it is ok sometimes to just say "I don't know", he advises to try something like "I don't know, but I would think [...] because of x and y, but you would need to do [...] in order to find out.” This shows that you have the ability to think as an academic.

You will be nervous. But your examiners will expect you to be nervous. Being well prepared can help minimize your stress, but do know that your examiners have seen this many times before and are willing to help, by repeating questions, for example. Dora Farkas at finishyourthesis.com notes that it’s a myth that thesis committees are out to get you.

Two common symptoms of being nervous are talking really fast and nervous laughs. Try to slow yourself down and take a deep breath. Remember what feels like hours to you are just a few seconds in real life.

• Try meditational breathing right before your defense.
• Get plenty of exercise and sleep in the weeks prior to your defense.
• Have your clothes or other items you need ready to go the night before.
• During your defense, allow yourself to process each question before answering.
• Go to dinner with friends and family, or to a fun activity like mini-golf, after your defense.

Allow yourself to process each question, respond to it, and stop talking once you have responded. While a smile can often help dissolve a difficult situation, remember that nervous laughs can be irritating for your audience.

We all make mistakes and your thesis defense will not be perfect. However, careful preparation, mindfulness, and confidence can help you feel less stressful both before, and during, your defense.

Finally, consider planning something fun that you can look forward to after your defense.

It is completely normal to be nervous. Being well prepared can help minimize your stress, but do know that your examiners have seen this many times before and are willing to help, by repeating questions for example if needed. Slow yourself down, and take a deep breath.

Your thesis defense is not about being perfect and knowing everything, it's about how you deal with challenging situations. James Hayton writes on his blog that it is ok sometimes to just say "I don't know", but he advises to try something like "I don't know, but I would think [...] because of x and y, you would need to do [...] in order to find out".

Your Powerpoint presentation can get stuck or not look the way it is supposed to do on the big screen. It can happen and your supervisors know it. In general, handouts can always save the day when technology fails.

• Dress for success.
• Ask for help setting up.
• Have a backup plan (in case technology fails you).
• Deal with your nerves.

Mastering Your Dissertation pp 147–153 Cite as

How Do I Prepare for a Successful Defence?

Vivas and Presentations

• Sue Reeves   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3017-0559 3 &
• Bartek Buczkowski   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4146-3664 4  
• First Online: 19 October 2023

245 Accesses

Once you have submitted your dissertation, you may be asked to do a defence of your dissertation. This could be in the form of an oral presentation, a poster presentation of your findings, or you could be invited to a viva voce. Vivas, as they are usually known, are particularly common for research degrees such as MPhils or PhDs and are essentially a verbal defence of your thesis that is conducted in an interview style format. At a minimum, the viva is a way of checking you authored the thesis yourself and understand the detail, but it is also an opportunity to discuss your research findings and interpretations in depth with experts. Preparation is key for defending your thesis in a viva or a presentation format. With a bit of groundwork, you could even enjoy the discussion, after all the thesis is the culmination of all your hard work, and no one knows it better than you.

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Ratcliffe R (2015) How to survive a PhD viva: 17 top tips. https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2015/jan/08/how-to-survive-a-phd-viva-17-top-tips. Accessed 3 Mar 2023

Further Reading

Levin P, Topping G (2006) Perfect presentations. Open University Press

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PhD Dissertation Defense Slides Design: Start

• Tips for designing the slides
• Presentation checklist
• Example slides
• Additional Resources

Purpose of the Guide

This guide was created to help ph.d. students in engineering fields to design dissertation defense presentations. the guide provides 1) tips on how to effectively communicate research, and 2) full presentation examples from ph.d. graduates. the tips on designing effective slides are not restricted to dissertation defense presentations; they can be used in designing other types of presentations such as conference talks, qualification and proposal exams, and technical seminars., the tips and examples are used to help students to design effective presentation. the technical contents in all examples are subject to copyright, please do not replicate. , if you need help in designing your presentation, please contact julie chen ([email protected]) for individual consultation. .

• Example Slides Repository
• Defense slides examples Link to examples dissertation defense slides.

Useful Links

• CIT Thesis and dissertation standards
• Dissertations and Theses @ Carnegie Mellon This link opens in a new window Covers 1920-present. Full text of some dissertations may be available 1997-present. Citations and abstracts of dissertations and theses CMU graduate students have published through UMI Dissertation Publishing. In addition to citations and abstracts, the service provides free access to 24 page previews and the full text in PDF format, when available. In most cases, this will be works published in 1997 forward.
• Communicate your research data Data visualization is very important in communicating your data effectively. Check out these do's and don'ts for designing figures.

Power Point Template and other Resources

• CEE Powerpoint Slide Presentation Template 1
• CEE Powerpoint Slide Presentation Template 2

Source: CEE Department Resources https://www.cmu.edu/cee/resources/index.html

• CMU Powerpoint Slide Template

Source: CMU Marketing and Communications

https://www.cmu.edu/marcom/brand-standards/downloads/index.html

• Use of CMU logos, marks, and Unitmarks

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Top 7 tips for your defense presentation

1. show why your study is important, remember, your audience is your committee members, researchers in other fields, and even the general public. you want to convince all of them why you deserve a ph.d. degree. you need to talk about why your study is important to the world. in the engineering field, you also need to talk about how your study is useful. try to discuss why current practice is problematic or not good enough, what needs to be solved, and what the potential benefits will be. , see how dr. posen and dr. malings explained the importance of their studies..

• Carl Malings Defense Slides with Notes
• I. Daniel Posen Defense Slides with Notes

2. Emphasize YOUR contribution 

Having a ph.d. means that you have made some novel contributions to the grand field. this is about you and your research. you need to keep emphasizing your contributions throughout your presentation. after talking about what needs to be solved, try to focus on emphasizing the novelty of your work. what problems can be solved using your research outcomes what breakthroughs have you made to the field why are your methods and outcomes outstanding you need to incorporate answers to these questions in your presentation. , be clear what your contributions are in the introduction section; separate what was done by others and what was done by you. , 3. connect your projects into a whole piece of work, you might have been doing multiple projects that are not strongly connected. to figure out how to connect them into a whole piece, use visualizations such as flow charts to convince your audience. the two slides below are two examples. in the first slide, which was presented in the introduction section, the presenter used a flow diagram to show the connection between the three projects. in the second slide, the presenter used key figures and a unique color for each project to show the connection..

• Xiaoju Chen Defense Slides with Notes

4. Tell a good story 

The committee members do not necessarily have the same background knowledge as you. plus, there could be researchers from other fields and even the general public in the room. you want to make sure all of your audience can understand as much as possible. focus on the big picture rather than technical details; make sure you use simple language to explain your methods and results. your committee has read your dissertation before your defense, but others have not. , dr. cook and dr. velibeyoglu did a good job explaining their research to everyone. the introduction sessions in their presentations are well designed for this purpose. .

• Laren M. Cook Defense Slides with Notes
• Irem Velibeyoglu Defense with Notes

5. Transition, transition, transition

Use transition slides to connect projects , it's a long presentation with different research projects. you want to use some sort of transition to remind your audience what you have been talking about and what is next. you may use a slide that is designed for this purpose throughout your presentation. , below are two examples. these slides were presented after the introduction section. the presenters used the same slides and highlighted the items for project one to indicate that they were moving on to the first project. throughout the presentation, they used these slides and highlighted different sections to indicate how these projects fit into the whole dissertation. .

You can also use some other indications on your slides, but remember not to make your slides too busy.  Below are two examples. In the first example, the presenter used chapter numbers to indicate what he was talking about. In the second example, the presenter used a progress bar with keywords for each chapter as the indicator. 

Use transition sentences to connect slides 

Remember transition sentences are also important; use them to summarize what you have said and tell your audience what they will expect next. if you keep forgetting the transition sentence, write a note on your presentation. you can either write down a full sentence of what you want to say or some keywords., 6. be brief, put details in backup slides , you won't have time to explain all of the details. if your defense presentation is scheduled for 45 minutes, you can only spend around 10 minutes for each project - that's shorter than a normal research conference presentation focus on the big picture and leave details behind. you can put the details in your backup slides, so you might find them useful when your committee (and other members of the audience) ask questions regarding these details., 7. show your presentation to your advisor and colleagues, make sure to ask your advisor(s) for their comments. they might have a different view on what should be emphasized and what should be elaborated. , you also want to practice at least once in front of your colleagues. they can be your lab mates, people who work in your research group, and/or your friends. they do not have to be experts in your field. ask them to give you some feedback - their comments can be extremely helpful to improve your presentation. , below are some other tips and resources to design your defense presentation. .

• Tips for designing your defense presentation

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Each graduate program has its own protocol for scheduling and conducting the defense of ­theses and dissertations. Ensure that you know your department’s procedures and that you follow them. Even if defense information is supplied in your Graduate Program Handbook, it’s always a good idea to consult your advisor for details.

Scheduling and Calendar Requirements

In all cases, you must notify The Graduate School of the date, time, location and other details of your defense at least 10 days prior to your defense . To do that, complete the online form that will add your defense to the defense calendar . Submitting that form will generate an email to The Graduate School, and that email will serve as your official written notification.

If you need to change your defense details, use the Edit Defense Details form. This form has a brief time delay, so when you click “Submit,” it may appear that nothing happens. Your updated defense entry should appear on the calendar shortly.

After Your Defense

Meeting the deadline.

Your defense must be conducted before the final filing deadline for the GS7M (master’s/specialist’s candidates - PDF) or GS7D (doctoral candidates -PDF) form. Check the current student deadlines for more information. Scheduling your defense on, very near, or after the deadline will leave you little or no time to make committee-required revisions to your manuscript and will likely result in delaying your graduation. Schedule your defense as early as you can, but at least several days before the final deadline.

Submitting the Committee-Signed GS7 Form

After you have successfully defended, your committee will do one of three things:

• Sign your GS7M or GS7D form;
• Require you to make revisions to your manuscript, then sign the GS7M or GS7D; or
• Require you to make committee-required revisions to your manuscript and complete the manuscript review by the Graduate School, then sign your GS7M or GS7D.

Any of these options are fine as long as the manuscript review process is completed and your GS7M or GS7D is submitted before the final deadline.

The GS7 forms may be digitally signed by all required signers and then submitted electronically, or may be printed, signed manually and submitted to Enrolled Student Services (104D Sikes Hall, main campus) in person, by mail, or as a scan attached to an email.

Deferring Your Graduation

What if my committee wants major edits after my defense?

What if I am approved, but I prefer to delay graduation so I can walk with my cohort?

What if something comes up and I can’t finish editing/formatting by the deadline?

If your committee requires you to make major revisions and you feel you won’t be able to meet the ETD submission and revision deadlines, or you have another reason for wishing to postpone your graduation, discuss with your advisor the option of delaying your graduation for one term.

If you can complete your manuscript revisions for committee approval, get a format review and acceptance and turn in your GS7, all by the first day of classes for the coming semester, you will be cleared to graduate at the end of that semester without having to enroll in any credit hours or pay tuition. Check the Academic Calendar for the day classes begin for the upcoming semester, and please let Enrolled Student Services know that you are delaying your graduation; they will ensure your diploma and academic record contain your correct graduation date. Also, you will need to reapply through iROAR for the next scheduled graduation.

The Next Step:

Converting your manuscript to pdf  .

After you have made any committee-required revisions and have compared your manuscript to the Final ETD Checklist, you’ll proceed to the convert stage to create your PDF for publication.

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Dissertation Defense and Graduation Instructions

• Created by Tom Atchity , last modified on Mar 22, 2024

The time has come. You and your supervisor have determined that you have reached a point in your research where you are ready to write your dissertation and defend it before your committee as a whole.  You are ready to graduate. At this juncture in your doctoral studies, in separate, prior semesters, you advanced to doctoral candidacy after completing the Candidacy Evaluation process (first), and you conducted the Progress Review before your PhD Dissertation Committee as a whole (second).  As you near the completion of your PhD degree, you have been working with a committee that was approved by the ECE GSC and registering for the Dissertation course.

Dissertation Defense Step-by-Step

Before your defense, at your defense, immediately after your defense, commencement.

The Cockrell School of Engineering hosts one commencement ceremony each spring. Students who graduated in the fall semester immediately prior to the spring semester's ceremony, those who have applied to graduate in the same spring semester, and those who will graduate in the summer term immediately following the semester of the spring ceremony may participate. Learn more here about the Cockrell School of Engineering Commencement Ceremony . 

The Graduate School hosts one convocation ceremony each spring. Students who graduated in the summer or fall semesters prior to the ceremony, and those who have applied to graduate in the spring, may participate. Learn more here about the Graduate School Convocation Ceremony . 

Regalia must be purchased or rented for the ceremonies and details for required regalia can be found online at the links for each ceremony. You can purchase or rent regalia at the University Co-op . Check the co-op site for details and deadlines.

Prior to graduation, you will receive a “Degree Candidate” email from the Office of the Registrar (sent to the email on file with the university), which will ask you to  confirm your diploma name and the degree you will earn .  Please remember to update your email if it has changed.

Effective spring 2021 and future semesters, degree candidates may select to have a diploma name that is different from the legal name on their student record. A diploma name can be updated the semester of graduation, but unless specified, your legal name will be the default name on the diploma. If you have designated a chosen name on your student record and would like your diploma name to match your chosen name, you will still need to update your diploma name during your graduating semester.

Options for how to receive your diploma are given online .

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University of Pennsylvania Philosophy

Dissertation Defense Instructions for Current Graduate Students

1. Pick a defense date and time According to the Graduation Calendar (view here:  https://guides.library.upenn.edu/dissertation_manual/calendar ) the deadlines are as follows:   AUGUST 2023 graduation: Sign-up begins (no fee) Monday, May 22nd Defend by July 17th & deposit by July 31st Your degree will then be awarded on or during the week of August 4th   2. Contact the department administrator to reserve a room for your defense   3. Once the defense date is finalized, here is a list of the additional administrative steps to complete the career at Penn:   1. Sign up (there are relevant dates for sign up start/ end and late fee sign up on the calendar) for degree in the degree system:  https://apps.sas.upenn.edu/sso/gas/degree/app-start.php        2. Make sure to set up a deposit meeting with the Provost Office as soon as possible.  We recommend that you schedule the deposit early on since the spots fill up quickly towards the end of the term. Although you’re setting it up ahead of time, the deposit needs to be scheduled for  after  the defense, since this is when you will deposit the finished copy of the dissertation, ready for print.  (*there are also deposit schedules- and there is a calendar & tons of information on this on the provost’s website -  https://provost.upenn.edu/dissertation-deposit  )   Meetings (scheduled at  https://calendly.com/penngraddegree/deposit?month=2022-01 ) are for candidates to deposit the hard copy of their dissertation.  You do not need to be present for this meeting, but beforehand, you will need to take care of any outstanding bills with Student Financial Services and complete the two exit surveys GAS requires.  Your dissertation should be polished and edited—to your knowledge, ready for publication at the time of your deposit to Proquest.    3. Once you have successfully defended, please email the graduate coordinator the following information:

• exact title of your dissertation as it will appear in print
• name of your dissertation advisor
• the name of your committee chair (if different from your advisor)
• the names of your remaining committee members

Please note, the graduate coordinator will need an email address for any of the committee members who are external to the University of Pennsylvania.   For policies and procedures on formatting and submission, the Dissertation Manual is the place to begin.  As the Provost has just taken over in this term, they created some helpful checklists for graduating PhDs (see below).  

• PhD Graduation Checklist -  https://provost.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/users/user3179/PhD%20Candidate%20Graduation%20Checklist_0.pdf
• PhD Dissertation Formatting Checklist-  https://provost.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/users/user3179/PhD%20Candidate%20Formatting%20Checklist_0.pdf
• In Graduate Rules and Regulations, please read over the policies starting with “Dissertation” and “Dissertation Composition and Meetings” through “Publication and Submission”-  https://catalog.upenn.edu/pennbook/academic-rules-phd/#text . 

***EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: The formatting of your dissertation must follow the GAS guidelines EXACTLY (RE: Title page, pagination & margins)   4. Additional Information:

• Dissertation defenses may be conducted in-person or remotely
• Title page signatures are optional, and electronic signatures are accepted
• A printed copy of the dissertation is not required for deposit
• The dissertation must be submitted electronically in ETD Administrator

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• Academic Requirements

Schedule your defense

One of the last steps to obtaining your doctoral degree is to defend your dissertation. Once you have finalized your dissertation, you must schedule and announce your defense.

First, arrange a mutually agreeable time with your committee. Set up the oral exam at least 30 days prior to when you wish to defend. Provide all members of your committee with a complete copy of your dissertation at least 30 days before the defense so they will have sufficient time to read and criticize your work.

Learn more about deadlines

Announce your defense

Once the date of your defense has been established, you should complete the Ph.D. Defense Announcement Submission through OneStart. The announcement edoc must reach the Indiana University Graduate School Bloomington (UGSB) at least 30 days before the date of your defense. The UGSB begins counting the 30 days from the date your edoc is received by our office. We recommend that you submit the edoc at least 40 days before your defense date to allow time for the edoc to route for approval through your academic department.

The summary should be informative and contain a brief statement of the principal results and conclusions. Unlike the abstract, which is intended for specialists in the field, an attempt should be made in the summary to communicate the findings in language and style that can be understood by the University community at large. The summary should be no less than 150 and no more than 300 words in length.

Submit your announcement on One.IU

Once announced, the defense date cannot be changed without the approval of the dean of the UGSB.

In-person defenses are the standard exam format at IUB. However, candidates and research committees may elect to conduct defenses online using tools such as Zoom and Skype without prior UGSB approval

After submitting your Ph.D. Defense Announcement Submission edoc, track your document to ensure timely approval. Retain the email confirmation containing your document ID.

Upcoming defenses

This list of scheduled Ph.D. dissertation defenses is distributed so that members of the university community and the public may attend the defense. If you wish to attend the defense, please contact the committee chair in advance as a courtesy. If you are a faculty member and wish to see the full defense announcement, please call the UGSB at 812-855-8853.

KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, GRADUATE DIVISION

Friday, April 19, 2024, 12:30 pm Business Kim, Yongseok Three Essays on Empirical Corporate Finance Hodge Hall 7300 Chair: Prof. Daniel Carvalho, (812-855-7635)

Monday, April 22, 2024, 1:00 pm Business Kim, Kyu Ree To Profit or To Assist? How the Interplay Between Product Recommendations and Relative Prices Impact Consumers' Inferences and Choice Hodge Hall Marketing Department Conference Room Chair: Prof. Rom Schrift, (812-856-1081)

Thursday, April 25, 2024, 10:00 am Business Somasundaram, Pooja How Consumers Prioritize Their Own (And Others') Time for Well-Being Hodge Hall Marketing Department Conference Room HH 2100 Chair: Prof. Jenny Olson, (920-420-9280)

Monday, April 29, 2024, 10:00 am Business Sun, Meng After-Hours Market Reactions and Media Coverage of Firms' Earnings Announcements Hodge Hall 7301 Chair: Prof. Ken Merkley, (812-855-2655)

Thursday, May 02, 2024, 1:00 pm Business Sachdeva, Agrim HUMAN-AI COLLABORATION IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT: A MULTI-METHOD INVESTIGATION OF VULNERABILITY INTRODUCTION PREDICTION AND CODE GENERATION Hodge Hall 7301 Chair: Prof. Alan Dennis, (812-855-2691)

Monday, May 13, 2024, 1:00 pm Business Mallon, Timothy How Do Reference Group Size and Relative Performance Incentives Affect Employee Performance? Hodge Hall 5103 Chair: Prof. Lori Bhaskar / Prof. Geoff Sprinkle, (404-457-6856 / 812-345-7552)

Monday, May 13, 2024, 2:15 pm Business Zen, Edwin Screening and Monitoring for Green Investments by Financial Intermediaries Hodge Hall 7300 Chair: Prof. Charles Trzcinka, (812-855-9908)

Monday, May 20, 2024, 10:30 am Business Zhai, Chengcheng Improving Drinking Water Access: NGO Operations and Strategies Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Kurt Bretthauer, (812-855-3487)

Friday, June 07, 2024, 1:30 pm Business Wang, Zitai Three Essays on Corporate Finance Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Kristoph Kleiner / Merih Sevilir, (812-856-7182 / +49 345 7753-808)

Monday, July 15, 2024, 12:00 pm Business Danesh Yazdi, Amir Three Essays on Finance Hodge Hall 6146 Chair: Prof. Nandini Gupta, (812-855-3416)

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, GRADUATE DIVISION

Monday, April 15, 2024, 11:00 am Psychology Jones, Caitlyn Organizational Mindset Cues And Their Impact On Anticipated Employee Experiences Throughout The Human Resource Cycle Psychology Building, Room 128 Chair: Prof. Mary Murphy, (773-677-6677)

Monday, April 15, 2024, 4:30 pm Philosophy Linsenbardt, Daniel Defense of an Adbuctive Argument for Doxastic Normativism Sycamore Hall 120 Chair: Prof. Adam Leite, (812-856-4148)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 9:30 am Germanic Studies Woodward, Claire Narrative Bystanders: A History of Compassion and Implication in Observing Suffering in German Storytelling Global and International Studies Building 3134 Chair: Prof. Fritz Breithaupt, (812-272-4361)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 4:00 pm Chemistry Pope, Brigham OPTICAL MANIPULATION OF PARTICLES WITH NANOPATTERNED LENSES AND ELECTRODES INTEGRATED INTO MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES Chemistry CH033 Chair: Prof. Stephen Jacobson, (812-855-6620)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 9:00 am Psychology / Neuroscience Cheng, Huzi Exploring Biologically Inspired Models for Multifaceted Learning in the Brain Psychology PSY128 Chair: Prof. Joshua Brown / Prof. Richard Betzel, (812-855-9282 / 812-856-7468)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 12:00 pm Political Science Watts, Donovan The Politics of Black Millennials Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Edward Carmines / Prof. Vanessa Cruz Nichols, (812-855-5065 / 812-855-6308)

Thursday, April 18, 2024, 9:00 am Criminal Justice Gonsler, John THE STORIES THEY ARE DYING TO TELL YOU: A STUDY OF NEWS MEDIA COVERAGE OF GUN VIOLENCE Sycamore Hall Room 312 Chair: Prof. Jeff Gruenewald / Prof. Natalie Kroovand Hipple, (812-856-2759)

Thursday, April 18, 2024, 1:00 pm Economics Leslie, Jonathan Essays in Macroeconomics, Health Care, and Machine Learning Wylie Hall Room 225 Chair: Prof. Bulent Guler, (812-855-7791)

Thursday, April 18, 2024, 1:30 pm Gender Studies Kizer, James "Doing It" Differently? Narrating and Navigating Autistic Sexual Desire Lindley Hall 201H Chair: Prof. Cynthia Wu, (812-855-0101)

Thursday, April 18, 2024, 1:30 pm Germanic Studies Peters, Elijah The Role of Semantics in the Emergence and Maintenance of Suffixes: An Investigation of Old High German -heit and -tuom Global and International Studies Building 3134 Chair: Prof. Tracy Hall, (812-855-1553)

Friday, April 19, 2024, 1:00 am Chemistry Jiang, Yuhua Expanding the scope and reactivity of flavin-dependent halogenases Memorial Union Tree Suites, Oak Room Chair: Prof. Jared Lewis, (812-856-0454)

Friday, April 19, 2024, 4:00 pm African American and African Diaspora Studies Clark, Madison Re-examining the Confederados: Afro-Brazilian Response to Embranqueamento, 1865-1915 Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Maria Hamilton Abegunde / Prof. Jakobi Williams, (812-855-0637 / 812-855-3903)

Monday, April 22, 2024, 12:00 pm Psychology White, Andrew Reflective Pathways: Seeing Identity Development Opportunities in Academic Contexts Promotes Student Belonging Psychology 128 Chair: Prof. Amanda Diekman, (812-856-7516)

Monday, April 22, 2024, 1:00 pm English Hizer, Amelia Accessibility in Higher Education: Rhetorically Navigating Spaces of Ableism Ballantine Hall 403 Chair: Prof. Scot Barnett / Prof. Robert Terrill, (919-559-6282 / 812-360-6263)

Monday, April 22, 2024, 2:30 pm Cognitive Science Zautra, Nicholas Psychiatry's Second Validity Crisis: The Problem of Disparate Validation Geology Building, Conference Room 3055 Chair: Prof. Kirk Ludwig / Prof. Peter Zachar, (812-855-2404 / 334-244-3311)

Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 9:30 am Philosophy Williams, Elizabeth Character as Narrative: Moral Responsibility in Context Sycamore Hall 120 Chair: Prof. Kate Abramson, (812-856-3676)

Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 10:00 am English Henry, Zoe The Public Interior: Modernism, Theatricality, and Interracial Aesthetics Ballantine Hall 464 Chair: Prof. Jennifer Fleissner, (812-391-0817)

Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 10:30 am Economics Cho, Hyeyun Essays on Human Capital Accumulation: Labor Market Implications and Perspectives on an Aging Economy Wylie 225 Chair: Prof. Bulent Guler, (812-855-7791)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 10:00 am Psychology De Jesus Romero, Robinson Optimizing Self-Help Interventions for Mental Health Disorders: A Multifaceted Approach Exploring Treatment Preferences, Mechanisms of Change, and Emotion Regulation Measurement Psychology 120A Chair: Prof. Lorenzo Lorenzo-Luaces, (787-222-2493)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 2:00 pm Biochemistry Bower, James INVESTIGATION OF NEUROTENSIN RECEPTOR 1 BIOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES IN MICELLE MEMBRANE MIMETICS Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Marc Morais / Prof. Joshua Ziarek, (812-855-2706 / 617-416-1448)

Thursday, April 25, 2024, 9:00 am Economics Salinas Depaz, Cesar Defense: 04/25/2024 Chair: Bulent Guler Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Bulent Guler, (812-855-7791)

Thursday, April 25, 2024, 10:00 am Anthropology Johnson, Christopher Understanding a sympatric primate community in Costa Rica using a socio-environmental systems approach Student Building 159 Chair: Prof. Michael Wasserman, (512-545-9908)

Thursday, April 25, 2024, 11:00 am Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences Yun, Donghyeon Effects of nonlinear algorithms on output signal-to-noise ratios of a digital hearing aid IU Health Sciences Building (2630 E Discovery Parkway), Room C1020 Chair: Prof. Jennifer Lentz, (812-606-8483)

Thursday, April 25, 2024, 2:30 pm Chemistry Anthony, Adam CHARACTERIZING RIBOSOMES, EXOSOMES AND PROTEASOMES FROM COMPLEX MIXTURES BY CHARGE DETECTION MASS SPECTROMETRY Memorial Union Tree Suites, Oak Room Chair: Prof. David Clemmer, (812-322-6803)

Friday, April 26, 2024, 10:00 am Anthropology / Folklore & Ethnomusicology Bridges, Benjamin Cedar Arts in a Changing Climate: Weaving Rules, Value, and Tradition in Southeast Alaska Classroom Office Building (C2) Room 272 Chair: Prof. Jason Baird Jackson / Prof. Sarah Osterhoudt, (812-856-1868 / 812-855-0871)

Friday, April 26, 2024, 10:00 am Folklore & Ethnomusicology Peach, Douglas The Afterlives of Africanisms: History, Cultural Heritage, and Musical Performance among Gullah Geechees in South Carolina Student Office Building, Room 261 Chair: Prof. Pravina Shukla, (812-856-1715)

Friday, April 26, 2024, 12:30 pm Microbiology Mishra, Ayushi REGULATION OF FLAGELLAR GENE EXPRESSION IN BACILLUS SUBTILIS Simon Hall 001 Chair: Prof. Daniel Kearns, (812-856-2523)

Friday, April 26, 2024, 1:00 pm Geological Sciences Salcido, Charles Evolutionary lag and the evolution of carnivory in Cenozoic mammals Geology Building Room 2022 Chair: Prof. Paul David Polly, (812-855-7994)

Monday, April 29, 2024, 8:00 am Mathematics Lowry, Nathanial Abelian varieties over large non-algebraically closed fields Rawles Hall 127 Chair: Prof. Michael Larsen, (812-855-1064)

Monday, April 29, 2024, 12:00 pm Genome, Cell, and Developmental Biology Ghobashi, Ahmed Investigating colon cancer tumorigenesis and cellular heterogeneity Simon Hall 001 Chair: Prof. Heather O'Hagan, (812-855-3035)

Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 10:30 am English Mendez, Christopher Mi Tierra Firme: Creating Space, Place, and Identity in Contemporary Latine Literature and Media Ballantine Hall 440A Chair: Prof. Alberto Varon, (512-587-1611)

Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 2:00 pm Geological Sciences Sherrill, Elizabeth Unlocking the Mysteries of the Earthquake Cycle at Subduction Zones and Stable Continental Regions Geology Building Room 2022 Chair: Prof. Kaj Johnson, (812-855-3612)

Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 3:00 pm Folklore & Ethnomusicology Wieneke, Marisa Memes as Folklore: Toward a Method for Meme Analysis Classroom Office Building 261 Chair: Prof. Pravina Shukla, (812-856-1715)

Wednesday, May 01, 2024, 4:00 pm History Serdiukov, Stepan Identity, Citizenship, and the Modern State: Russian Molokan Migrants in the United States, 1901-1930 Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. John Bodnar, (812-320-3748)

Thursday, May 02, 2024, 9:00 am Anthropology Rachok, Dariia Affective Belonging: Vulnerable Groups' Political Subjectivity and HIV in Ukraine Student Building 159 Chair: Prof. Sarah Phillips, (812-322-3706)

Thursday, May 02, 2024, 10:00 am Folklore and Ethnomusicology Mac Gabhann, Fionnan Tradition and the Politics of Culture: Case Studies from Irish Folklore Classroom Office Building, room 261 Chair: Prof. Ray Cashman, (614-364-1696)

Thursday, May 02, 2024, 10:00 am Geological Sciences Ely, Ricardo Introducing the Early High Disparity Phylogenetic Comparative Model Geology Building Room 2022 Chair: Prof. P. David Polly, (812-855-7994)

Friday, May 03, 2024, 12:00 pm Philosophy Kazanjian, Mariam Shame, Blame, and Sexism: Moral Ignorance and Moral Responsibility Memorial Union, Sycamore Chair: Prof. Allen Wood, (812-856-0912)

Monday, May 06, 2024, 2:00 pm Physics Eaton, Adam Numerical studies of topology in low-dimensional systems Swain West 214 Chair: Prof. Herbert Fertig, (812-856-1980)

Tuesday, May 07, 2024, 2:00 pm Physics Rasmusson, Alexander Trapped Ion Cooling, Heating, and Thermometry Swain West 214 Chair: Prof. Philip Richerme, (812-856-1488)

Thursday, May 09, 2024, 2:00 pm Folklore and Ethnomusicology Colom Brana, Gloria From Batey to Marquesina: The History, Form, and Use of the Carport in Puerto Rico Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Jason Baird Jackson, (812-856-1868)

Friday, May 10, 2024, 10:00 am Sociology Russian, Anna NEGOTIATING GENDER ACCOUNTABILITY ACROSS CONTEXTS: THE CASE OF THE FORMER COLLEGE ATHLETE Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Youngjoo Cha, (812-856-1798)

Friday, May 10, 2024, 10:00 am Microbiology Doucette, Kaitlin RNA SECONDARY STRUCTURES IN THE ROTAVIRUS GENOME PROMOTE EFFICIENT VIRAL REPLICATION Simon Hall #001 Chair: Prof. John Patton, (812-855-5211)

Friday, May 10, 2024, 1:30 pm Economics Wang, Chao Essays in Industrial Organization Wylie Hall 225 Chair: Prof. Ruli Xiao / Prof. Stefan Weiergraeber, (812-855-3213 / 812-855-2146)

Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 3:00 pm Cognitive Science Dubova, Marina Observations and theories: cognitive mechanisms of discovery Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, 6th Floor Conf. Room 6050G Chair: Prof. Robert Goldstone, (812-272-5226)

Friday, May 17, 2024, 1:30 pm Mathematics Wei, Zhifeng Graph Embedding for Random Walks and Community Detection Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Russell Lyons, (812-855-1645)

Monday, May 20, 2024, 2:00 pm Slavic Languages and Literature Abrahamyan, Ani Ethnographies of Transgression: Outlawed Communities in Imperial Russia (1856–1882) Global and International Studies Building 3134 Chair: Prof. Elizabeth Geballe, (812-855-3351)

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00 am Italian Mazzitello, Pantalea Cursing and Laughing. Blasphemy in Italian Renaissance Literature. Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Massimo Scalabrini / Prof. Andrea Ciccarelli, (812-855-8044 / 812-855-6029)

Tuesday, June 04, 2024, 10:00 am Genome, Cell, and Developmental Biology Brown, Haley Investigating the role of epigenetic regulation in Drosophila eye specification Biology Building 248 Chair: Prof. Justin Kumar, (812-856-2621)

Friday, June 14, 2024, 9:00 am Anthropolgy Mecca, Elizabeth Pesticides and Puberty: Investigating the association between rural environments characterized by industrial agriculture and the timing of puberty among girls in Costa Rica Student Building 159 Chair: Prof. Andrea Wiley, (812-856-4993)

Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 1:00 pm Sociology Garcia, Melissa Asian and Latiné College Experiences with Panethnic Student Organizations Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Jennifer Lee, (812-856-2522)

Thursday, July 11, 2024, 10:00 am Italian Salmaso, Nicolo The Myth of Raffaella Carrà: Female Stardom in Post-1968 Italy Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Colleen Ryan, (812-855-1249)

Monday, July 29, 2024, 9:00 am Portuguese de Oliveira e Silva Lemos, Marcela Flashes de um passado presente: A fotografia e a memória das ditaduras militares brasileira e argentina na prosa literária do século XXI Global and International Studies Building, GA2134 Chair: Prof. Luciana Namorato, (812-272-1316)

Monday, July 29, 2024, 2:00 pm Italian Casiraghi, Lucia “Non parlo mica così in real life”: Italian Youth’s Translanguaging Practices on Social Media Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Andrea Ciccarelli, (812-855-6029)

Friday, August 09, 2024, 1:00 pm Gender Studies Hoard-Jackson, Teresa Fallopian Feminism: A Black Queer Feminist Methodological Intervention on Reproductive Technoscience Remote Defense - contact chair for details Chair: Prof. Laura Foster, (812-855-0101)

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, GRADUATE DIVISION

Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 10:00 am Literacy, Culture and Language Education Gashan, Amani BETWEEN THE ROOTS OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE LEAVES OF THE UNITED STATES: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC INVESTIGATION OF HERITAGE LANGUAGE MAINTENANCE IN THE UNITED STATES Wright Education Building 4214 Chair: Prof. Serafin Coronel-Molina, (812-822-1087)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 2:00 pm Counseling Psychology Boyd, Derick Former Black Male College Scholar-Athletes: Lived Experiences in Completing Graduate School Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof, Jesse Steinfeldt, (616-482-9057)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 10:00 am Literacy, Culture and Language Education Park, Hyejeong CREATING SPACE FOR SOCIAL ISSUES USING INFORMATIONAL TEXTS IN AN ENGLISH HOMEROOM CLASS IN KOREA Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Mitzi Lewison, (812-345-2652)

Friday, April 19, 2024, 10:00 am Learning Sciences Tu, Xintian Supporting young children’s science modeling practices through embodied activities within an MR environment. Wright Education Building 2140 Chair: Prof. Joshua Danish, (310-439-5548)

Thursday, May 02, 2024, 3:00 pm History, Philosophy and Policy Studies in Education LaFosse, Richard Disability Anti-Discrimination Laws in Higher Education's Metaverse Wright Education Building 4204 Chair: Prof. Janet Decker, (812-856-8375)

Monday, May 20, 2024, 9:00 am Literacy, Culture, & Language Education Greco, Todd HERITAGE LANGUAGE MAINTENANCE: The relationship between affluent communities and immigrant parents raising children with a heritage language Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Beth Samuelson, (812-856-8256)

Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 1:00 pm Curriculum and Instruction Rahman, Shukufe In Search of a Science Education for Rohingya Refugees in the Camps in Bangladesh Wright Education Building 2277 Chair: Prof. Gayle Buck, (812-856-8171)

SCHOOL OF INFORMATICS, COMPUTING, AND ENGINEERING, GRADUATE DIVISION

Friday, April 19, 2024, 10:00 am Intelligent Systems Engineering Chen, Weizhe Towards Automated Science: Active Robot Learning for Information Gathering Artificial Intelligence Center room 2005 Chair: Prof. Lantao Liu / Prof. Roni Khardon, (979-402-6374 / 812-855-4075)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 1:15 pm Intelligent Systems Engineering Withana, Sachith Cyberinfrastructure Knowledge Network: Optimizing Edge-Cloud-Continuum for Efficient Data Capture, Modeling, and Deployment Luddy Building, 2005 Chair: Prof. Beth Plale, (812-855-4373)

Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 8:30 am Informatics Bhowmick, Pallabi Beyond Digital Boundaries: Breaking Barriers to Social Connectivity for Older Adults Using Tangible, Customizable Peer-Based Check-In Solutions Luddy Building, Room 1006 Chair: Prof. Erik Stolterman Bergqvist, (812-856-5803)

Wednesday, May 01, 2024, 1:30 pm Informatics Randall, Natasha Evaluating and Designing for the Purchase of Consumer Home Robots Luddy AI Center 2001 Chair: Prof. Selma Sabanovic, (812-856-0386)

Thursday, May 02, 2024, 3:30 pm Intelligent Systems Engineering Metzcar, John Toward a general framework of multicellular systems biology with application to cellular motility and phenotype control Luddy AI Building Conference Room 2005 Chair: Prof. Paul Macklin / Prof. Filippo Radicchi, (626-372-1203 / 812-855-9322)

Monday, May 13, 2024, 10:00 am Computer Science Qin, Yue Verifiable Machine Learning for Privacy Enhancing Technology Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Xiaojing Liao, (864-650-8137)

Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 10:00 am Computer Science Zhu, Rui Mitigating and understanding security and privacy issues in AI system Luddy 3069 Chair: Prof. Haixu Tang / Prof. Xiaofeng Wang, (858-205-9135 / 412-780-0022)

Friday, May 17, 2024, 9:30 am Computer Science Xiao, Yue Fulfilling Privacy And Security Compliance In Software Supply Chain Luddy Building, Room 4063 Chair: Prof. Luyi Xing / Prof. Xiaojing Liao, (812-272-6588 / 864-650-8137)

Friday, May 24, 2024, 1:00 pm Computer Science Jafari, Elham Computational Methods for Gene Regulation Inference From Single-cell Multi-Omics Data Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Yijie Wang, (240-401-1064)

THE MEDIA SCHOOL, GRADUATE DIVISION

Thursday, April 25, 2024, 12:45 pm Media Arts and Sciences Smith, Xan An Exploratory Model of Avatar Identification for Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse Video Game Players Franklin Hall 017 Chair: Prof. John Velez, (205-886-2280)

Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 10:00 am Media Arts and Sciences Booth, McCall Parental Mediation in Multilingual Families 230M Franklin Hall Chair: Prof. Nicole Martins, (812-855-7720)

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, GRADUATE DIVISION

Wednesday, May 01, 2024, 2:00 pm Anatomy Goodwin, Michael An investigation into academic outcomes and experiences of undergraduate students with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in anatomy, and other large, introductory STEM courses Biology Building 102 Chair: Prof. Valerie O'Loughlin, (812-855-7723)

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, GRADUATE DIVISION

Monday, April 29, 2024, 10:00 am Public Affairs Zebrowski, Wesley Discretion and Inequity in Agricultural Programs O'Neill School, Conference Room A225 Chair: Prof. James Farmer, (812-558-0674)

Monday, April 29, 2024, 1:00 pm Public Affairs Lee, Euipyo Unpacking Public Sector Innovation: Causes and Effects of Innovation in Korea, Taiwan and the United States O'Neill School Conference Room PV-A318 Chair: Prof. Sean Nicholson-Crotty, (812-855-0122)

Monday, May 13, 2024, 12:00 pm Public Affairs Memmott, Trevor Intersections and Insecurity: Measuring the Determinants, Consequences, and Mitigators of Material Hardship O'Neill School, Conference Room A225 Chair: Prof. David Konisky, (812-855-6990)

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 2:00 pm Health Behavior Baney, Lauren MANIPULATION LAND: A TRAUMA-INFORMED. EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT BOARD GAME INTERVENTION School of Public Health, room PH C100 Chair: Prof. Brandon Crawford, (479-430-3626)

Friday, April 26, 2024, 3:00 pm Epidemiology Wang, Fengge Modifiable risk factors in relation to the risk of breast cancer among U.S. women School of Public Health IU Bloomington – room PH 125 Chair: Prof. Juhua Luo, (812-856-2858)

Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 1:00 pm Environmental Health Khan, Sajjad Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Ecology in Monroe County, Indiana: Diversity and Abundance patterns across environmental gradients School of Public Health, room PH 125 Chair: Prof. Luis Chaves, (812-856-4561)

Wednesday, May 01, 2024, 9:00 am Epidemiology Holler, Emma Anticholinergic Medication Use, Delirium, and Dementia Among Older Surgical Patients Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Christina Ludema, (812-855-9181)

Tuesday, May 07, 2024, 1:00 pm Human Performance Friedman, Annalee Cutaneous Reflex Characteristics and Perceived Instability in CAI: Longitudinal Exploration ad Effects of Stochastic Resonance School of Public Health - IU Bloomington - Room PH C100 Chair: Prof. Carrie Docherty / Prof. Leif Madsen, (812-856-6035 / 812-855-4548)

Monday, June 03, 2024, 10:00 am Health Behavior Yang, Meng USE, DECEPTION, AND CESSATION OF E-CIGARETTES AND OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS AMONG U.S. YOUTH AND ADULT POPULATIONS School of Public Health room PH 125 Chair: Prof. Hsien-Chang Lin, (812-855-6197)

Friday, July 19, 2024, 10:30 am Health Behavior Jackson, Frederica Perinatal Loss - Bereavement Care Experiences of Indiana Women and Health Provider Perspectives Remote Defense: Contact Chair for Details Chair: Prof. Cecilia Obeng, (812-361-6789)

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• Dissertation Defense: Time to Learn 8 Important Steps to Success
• How to Be Prepared for Dissertation Defense and Pass It?

Preparation: Know Your Format and Material

Prepare a presentation, focus on results, visual aids can be helpful, follow the structure of a dissertation talk, practice, then practice more, be prepared for unexpected things, make surrounding people help you, rehearse your defense, prepare your own questions, make a proper priority, your health matters.

Are you a university student? If yes, you will probably pass through the dissertation defense. Yes, this academic paper must be written well and defended properly. There’s much work to do and many mistakes to commit. If your paper is flawless, wrong answers given to the defense committee members can spoil everything. Find some time to perform deep research of your oral skills and opportunities to take this final step. This article is your ‘to do’ list.

A dissertation defense always leads to various questions. What should an author expect? Should he/she prepare a presentation? What if he/she fails? It is difficult to say that everything is easy. Here are some recommendations to read that will help you to get prepared. Begin thinking over a defense strategy when you start writing your paper or ordering it online from a professional academic writing website . Remember, you have to start training yourself long before the deadline.

Do you know how many students fail the defense because of poor formatting? More than you can imagine. So, before the final action, be confident that you have followed all style regulations applied in your university. Here is an approximate list of what you have to consider.   If you have any questions, contact your dissertation advisor. Even an excessive half of inch in margins can break through your defenses. Yes, it may sound odd, but many tutors like spotting even the smallest sign of format violating so you should be very attentive to all important details such as methodology .

Even if you're sure that you know everything about your topic after months of research and writing, we suggest reviewing everything thoroughly. It will give you two good benefits. First of all, it will help to refresh your mind. You will be more confident and calm when you remember all the important things on your project without digging in papers. This is a great way to be prepared for any questions during the defense. And the second benefit is you will feel well ready for making a proper dissertation presentation.

A presentation can become a life ring of your defense. If you are not sure about your speechcraft skills, some slides can help you. You need about three weeks to prepare them. Correlate them with your defense talk and paper topic. The slides must represent your paper fully. They have to be interesting, e.g. the content should be supplied with graphs, pictures, comments, and videos. If you are not sure you can work with Powerpoint, you can always order the best presentation on the Internet.

Needless to say, the whole dissertation has around 200-300 pages. Remember you don't have to repeat every detail because the dissertation committee has already reviewed your paper. Try to figure out the main points and discuss the important results of your research. If the committee will want you to explain the results in detail, they will ask you about it.

Spend some time to prepare visual aids for your dissertation defense and it will help to save your time during the oral defense. When you're preparing for a defense, you need to use a usual pattern as the introduction, body part, and conclusion. It means that at the start you have to describe the problem of your paper and explain why it's so important. Then you present your research and results. And in the end, you need to finish your defense with a short but very logical conclusion.

Like any academic paper, your defense speech must have a primal structure. Your audience (note that you present a dissertation not only for the committee members but for the general audience) will not understand you at all if you hop from one concept to another.

Practice shows that a defense talk is similar to an abstract , so follow the same structure. Do not forget about the introduction and the conclusion of the speech. One more advice: remember that some people cannot understand your subject. Try to write content for your speech to be fully understandable for everyone.

Know More About Your Dissertation Committee. Spend some time to know more details about the committee members. It will help you to understand what to expect. Try to ask other students for feedback about members. Maybe you can even find some students online from your faculty who already defended their papers and contact them on Facebook or Twitter? Maybe some members like to ask tricky questions, and you can prepare answers beforehand! Remember that you have to gather maximum information to understand what to expect.

Even experts of rhetoric defense talks need to practice. Never underestimate the power of practice:

• It will give you confidence.
• Confidence attracts people. With it, you can influence committee members and students.
• You can predict and prevent all possible questions and fails.

There are several ways to practice your speech. Stand in front of a mirror and talk to yourself. Try to watch your gestures, face, position, etc. If you do not like what you see, correct yourself. This easy trick is always used to improve public performance skills and get the best results.

Do not forget about additional time. A proper defense talk takes from five to ten minutes. Find a tape recorder, or use a computer or phone to record your full speech. If it possible, record a video with yourself giving a speech. If your slides are ready, practice with them.

As we already said, every university has its own rules for handling the defense process. Be ready that you may get questions you never expected to hear. Of course, you cannot predict everything that may happen on the defense, so concentrate on your work and be ready for unexpected things. To prepare beforehand, you may ask your friends, family, and colleagues to ask some questions on your paper. Just don't worry, and you will find all the needed answers on the defense without nerves.

You may not find all mistakes in your defense. People around you will. To defend your dissertation properly, ask your groupmates, friends and even parents to help you. If it is possible, find an already graduate student on the Internet ( chat with them on Facebook or Twitter )  and ask him/her to share the experience with you.

On the Internet, you can find some good dissertation talks performed by other people and read how they did their annotated bibliography . Check how they keep the energy through the whole speech program, how big their enthusiasm is and what questions they are asked. You can borrow many ideas for defending your dissertation, but do not fall into plagiarism . It will surely spoil everything.

It's useful to rehearse your defense by speaking the words you're going to say. Just go through your manuscript and tell your speech several times. This will help you to remember your words by your tongue. Even if you are sure that you will be able to say everything right, we suggest rehearsing to reduce your stress at the defense.

No matter what you defend, a thesis or dissertation , you will be asked tricky questions. In some universities they have a special person called an opponent. His/her task is to address questions and search for logical mistakes in your paper and defense process. To prevent troubles with this examination, study the content of your dissertation several times and imagine what parts and chapters can cause problems . Make a list of the imaginary questions and give confident answers.

Here is an idea for you: probably, if you are writing a dissertation, there is nothing else more important in your life than its defense for the moment. That is why you need to spend all free time preparing. Sometimes it implies forgetting about friends, hobbies, school, relationship, favorite places, events etc. Provide yourself with a plan, a schedule of your last weeks and exclude everything unimportant from it. Yes, your present life is full of important things, but they will not affect your future as badly as the failed defense.

Every speech expert will tell you that mental and physical health matter for a good performance. Here are some actions you have to perform before your dissertation talk:

• Start sleeping well. Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but you have to control your regime. Spare at least 8 hours a day to have a rest. Did you know that even one sleepless night reduces your mental activity by half?
• Control your diet. Even if you eat healthy meals, it can be useful to concentrate on some mental boosters . Start consuming dark chocolate, fish, nuts and other products that improve mental activity. If you need stimulants, ensure they are natural. Cut off drinking coffee for a while. Yes, it gives you caffeine for some time, but the aftereffects are not the best for this time.
• Relax and keep cool. The dissertation defense is a severe test for mental health, so never go beyond your psychological limits. The committee members will push on you, and you will never know what will happen. Try to keep ‘poker face’ in terrible situations during the discussion and leave some room for smiling and enthusiasm. You can even add some humor to reduce stress or use more  positive words  in your daily life. Remember that if your work has some serious problems, you will be informed about it before the defense to fix everything. Never allow your opponents to form an impression that you are unconfident. If you are not sure about your skills at all, try to attend a psychologist’s cabinet. Prepare your defense properly, and you will enjoy it!

Here are the pieces of advice you have to consider. Remember, keep your work chair warm, devote much time to get prepared, use the advisor help, and you will leave your educational facility as a successful dissertation defender with the desired degree.

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Dissertation Defenses

As part of the degree requirements for a Ph.D. in computer science or computer engineering, students must pass a final examination given by their advisory committee as described in the graduate catalog. The part of the exam that is related to the presentation of the student's research is public (the dissertation defense).  The final examination may not be administered before the dissertation is available to all members of the student's advisory committee in substantially final form, and all members have had adequate time to review the document. Final corrected copies of the dissertation must be accepted by the thesis clerk no later than one year after the final examination or within the 10-year time limit, whichever occurs first. Failure to do so will result in the degree not being awarded.

Listed below are the major steps that should be completed for Ph.D. dissertation defenses in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University. Much of this information is taken from the  graduate catalog ,  Steps to Fulfill Doctoral Degree Requirements  page on the Graduate and Professional School website  and the department's graduate brochure.

Requirements

Final exam deadlines are listed on the  Graduate and Professional School calendar  (usually about eight weeks before graduation).

To be eligible to schedule the final examination, the student must meet the following requirements:

• An approved dissertation proposal must have been submitted to the Graduate and Profesional School at least 15 days before the request to hold the final examination (dissertation defense) is submitted to the Graduate and Profesional School (or about four weeks before the defense). (This is a decrease - it used to be 14 weeks before the defense.)
• All course work on the degree plan must be completed with the exception of any remaining CPSC 691 (Research) hours and the student must be registered for those hours. This means all petitions to change the courses on the degree plan must be filed and approved before the exam can be scheduled.
• The cumulative and degree plan grade point ratios must both be at least 3.00. There cannot be any unabsolved grades of D, F, or U for any course listed on the degree plan. To absolve a deficient grade, the student must have repeated the course at Texas A&M and have achieved a grade of C or better.
• All English proficiency requirements must be satisfied prior to scheduling the examination.
• Students must be registered in the university in the semester or summer term in which the final examination is taken.

Listed below are the steps that should be followed in scheduling and administering final examinations (dissertation defenses) for Ph.D. degrees in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

• The student and the chair of the advisory committee should review the eligibility requirements for the final exam and ensure that the student has satisfied them all. If different courses were taken than are listed on the degree plan, then the appropriate petitions should be filed to make the necessary changes; all such petitions must be approved by the Graduate and Profesional School before the exam can be scheduled. Deadline: several weeks before exam.
• The student should consult with their advisory committee and select a mutually agreeable date and time for the defense. All advisory committee members should attend the final examination. If one of the members cannot attend the examination, he or she must find an appropriate substitute. The committee chair may not be substituted. (Note that the committee member and not the substitute should sign the dissertation approval pages.) Normally two hours should be reserved for the defense. The student is responsible for ensuring that a room is reserved for the defense; the advising office can help with this if needed. To book a room in Peterson, visit the department's room calendar page.   Deadline: Several weeks before the exam.
• The  Request for Final Examination  must be received by the Graduate and Profesional School at least 10 working days before the exam. An electronic copy in plain text (ASCII) of the title and abstract of the dissertation must be emailed to the advising office before  the student brings the request for final examination, already signed by the chair(s), to the advising office for the department approval signature. The advising office will submit the request to the Graduate and Profesional School and they will announce and publicize the defense once the request is approved by the Graduate and Profesional School. Deadline: At least 15 working days before the exam. The additional days are to allow department processing.
• The student should distribute a complete draft ("nearly final form'') of the dissertation to the advisory committee. Deadline: Approximately two weeks before the exam.
• The Graduate and Profesional School will send the advising office a  Report of Final Exam   before  the exam. It should be completed and signed by the advisory committee at the defense. The student's chair should return the  Report of Final Exam  to the advising office and they will submit it to the Graduate and Professional School. If the  Report of Final Exam  is not submitted to the Graduate and Profesional School within 10 working days of the scheduled examination, then a failing grade may be recorded. Deadline: Immediately after the exam (at the latest, within 10 working days of the exam).

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17 Thesis Defense Questions and How to Answer Them

A thesis defense gives you the chance to show off your thesis work and demonstrate your expertise in your field of study. During this one- to two-hour discussion with the members of your thesis committee, you'll have some control over how you present your research, but your committee will ask you some prodding questions to test your knowledge and preparedness. They will all have read your thesis beforehand, so their questions will relate to your study, topic, methods, data sample, and other aspects.

A good defense requires mastery of the thesis itself, so before you consider the questions you might face,

1. What is your topic, and why did you choose it?

Give a quick summary in just a few sentences on what you've researched. You could certainly go on for hours about your work, but make sure you prepare a way to give a very brief overview of your thesis. Then, give a quick background on your process for choosing this topic.

2. How does your topic contribute to the existing literature? How is it important?

Many researchers identify a need in the field and choose a topic to bridge the gaps that previous literature has failed to cover. For example, previous studies might not have included a certain population, region, or circumstance. Talk about how your thesis enhances the general understanding of the topic to extend the reach beyond what others have found, and then give examples of why the world needs that increased understanding. For instance, a thesis on romaine lettuce crops in desert climates might bring much-needed knowledge to a region that might not have been represented in previous work.

3. What are the key findings of your study?

When reporting your main results, make sure you have a handle on how detailed your committee wants you to be. Give yourself several options by preparing 1) a very general, quick summary of your findings that takes a minute or less, 2) a more detailed rundown of what your study revealed that is 3-5 minutes long, and 3) a 10- to 15-minute synopsis that delves into your results in detail. With each of these responses prepared, you can gauge which one is most appropriate in the moment, based on what your committee asks you and what has already been requested.

4. What type of background research did you do for your study?

Here you'll describe what you did while you were deciding what to study. This usually includes a literary review to determine what previous researchers have already introduced to the field. You also likely had to look into whether your study was going to be possible and what you would need in order to collect the needed data. Did you need info from databases that require permissions or fees?

5. What was your hypothesis, and how did you form it?

Describe the expected results you had for your study and whether your hypothesis came from previous research experience, long-held expectations, or cultural myths.

6. What limitations did you face when writing your text?

It's inevitable — researchers will face roadblocks or limiting factors during their work. This could be a limited population you had access to, like if you had a great method of surveying university students, but you didn't have a way to reach out to other people who weren't attending that school.

7. Why did you choose your particular method for your study?

Different research methods are more fitting to specific studies than others (e.g., qualitative vs. quantitative ), and knowing this, you applied a method that would present your findings most effectively. What factors led you to choose your method?

8. Who formed the sample group of your study, and why did you choose this population?

Many factors go into the selection of a participant group. Perhaps you were motivated to survey women over 50 who experience burnout in the workplace. Did you take extra measures to target this population? Or perhaps you found a sample group that responded more readily to your request for participation, and after hitting dead ends for months, convenience is what shaped your study population. Make sure to present your reasoning in an honest but favorable way.

9. What obstacles or limitations did you encounter while working with your sample?

Outline the process of pursuing respondents for your study and the difficulties you faced in collecting enough quality data for your thesis. Perhaps the decisions you made took shape based on the participants you ended up interviewing.

10. Was there something specific you were expecting to find during your analysis?

Expectations are natural when you set out to explore a topic, especially one you've been dancing around throughout your academic career. This question can refer to your hypotheses , but it can also touch on your personal feelings and expectations about this topic. What did you believe you would find when you dove deeper into the subject? Was that what you actually found, or were you surprised by your results?

11. What did you learn from your study?

Your response to this question can include not only the basic findings of your work (if you haven't covered this already) but also some personal surprises you might have found that veered away from your expectations. Sometimes these details are not included in the thesis, so these details can add some spice to your defense.

12. What are the recommendations from your study?

With connection to the reasons you chose the topic, your results can address the problems your work is solving. Give specifics on how policymakers, professionals in the field, etc., can improve their service with the knowledge your thesis provides.

13. If given the chance, what would you do differently?

Your response to this one can include the limitations you encountered or dead ends you hit that wasted time and funding. Try not to dwell too long on the annoyances of your study, and consider an area of curiosity; for example, discuss an area that piqued your interest during your exploration that would have been exciting to pursue but didn't directly benefit your outlined study.

14. How did you relate your study to the existing theories in the literature?

Your paper likely ties your ideas into those of other researchers, so this could be an easy one to answer. Point out how similar your work is to some and how it contrasts other works of research; both contribute greatly to the overall body of research.

15. What is the future scope of this study?

This one is pretty easy, since most theses include recommendations for future research within the text. That means you already have this one covered, and since you read over your thesis before your defense, it's already fresh in your mind.

16. What do you plan to do professionally after you complete your study?

This is a question directed more to you and your future professional plans. This might align with the research you performed, and if so, you can direct your question back to your research, maybe mentioning the personal motivations you have for pursuing study of that subject.

17. Do you have any questions?

Although your thesis defense feels like an interrogation, and you're the one in the spotlight, it provides an ideal opportunity to gather input from your committee, if you want it. Possible questions you could ask are: What were your impressions when reading my thesis? Do you believe I missed any important steps or details when conducting my work? Where do you see this work going in the future?

Bonus tip: What if you get asked a question to which you don't know the answer? You can spend weeks preparing to defend your thesis, but you might still be caught off guard when you don't know exactly what's coming. You can be ready for this situation by preparing a general strategy. It's okay to admit that your thesis doesn't offer the answers to everything – your committee won't reasonably expect it to do so. What you can do to sound (and feel!) confident and knowledgeable is to refer to a work of literature you have encountered in your research and draw on that work to give an answer. For example, you could respond, "My thesis doesn't directly address your question, but my study of Dr. Leifsen's work provided some interesting insights on that subject…." By preparing a way to address curveball questions, you can maintain your cool and create the impression that you truly are an expert in your field.

After you're done answering the questions your committee presents to you, they will either approve your thesis or suggest changes you should make to your paper. Regardless of the outcome, your confidence in addressing the questions presented to you will communicate to your thesis committee members that you know your stuff. Preparation can ease a lot of anxiety surrounding this event, so use these possible questions to make sure you can present your thesis feeling relaxed, prepared, and confident.

Header image by Kasto .

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Graduate Education

Office of graduate and postdoctoral education, ms defense by elena cabrera, april 12, 2024.

Name: Elena Cabrera

Master’s Thesis Defense Meeting

Date: Friday, April 12th, 2024

Time: 3:00 pm

Location: Microsoft Teams Meeting

Thesis Chair/Advisor:

Christopher Wiese, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Thesis Committee Members:

Meghan Babcock, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Title: The Five Love Languages Among Hispanic-, Asian-, African-, and European-Americans and Gender

Abstract:  This cross-cultural study investigates the reception of the Five Love Languages across four cultural groups (White/Caucasian, Hispanic/Latino, East Asian, and Black/African American) and gender (female and male). A sample of 198 participants, evenly distributed across cultural and gender groups, completed the Five Love Languages (FLL) Subscale questionnaire, assessing their preferences for receiving love in relationships. Participants also completed an Acculturation Scale since all participants reside in the U.S. – further exploratory analyses were conducted from these results. Utilizing the FLL Subscale results and quasi-variables, several analyses of variances (ANOVAs) were conducted for each love language to assess the main effects of both culture and gender, as well as their interaction effects. The results revealed significant main effects for gender among the Acts of Service (F(1, 197) = [9.290], p = .003), Words of Affirmation (F(1, 197) = [6.430], p = .012), and Quality Time (F(1, 197) = [8.351], p = .004) love languages, with females preferring each compared to males. A significant main effect was revealed for culture among Gift Giving (F(3, 197) = [3.141], p = .026), with post-hoc analyses revealing a greater preference among Black/African American participants compared to White/Caucasian participants. Interaction effects were also present among all five love languages with post-hoc tests indicating nuanced variations in love language preferences across cultural groups and gender. Existing literature elucidated cultural and gender-specific factors influencing love language preferences, including familial expectations, societal norms, and individual values. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how culture and gender intersect in shaping relational dynamics and offer insights for promoting intercultural understanding and communication in diverse romantic relationships.

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Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal Defense in Global Studies: Rahab Kisio 4/15

04/11/2024 By Rahab Kisio

The College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences is proud to announce a dissertation proposal defense by Rahab Kisio entitled, "Breaking Boundaries: Comprehensive Studies on Gender Dynamics and Impact in UN Peacekeeping Missions." Ph.D. Candidate: Rahab Kisio Date: Monday April 15, 2024 Time: 9 to 10 a.m. Location: This will be a virtual defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should contact [email protected] and committee member [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to the proposal defense to request access to the meeting. Committee:

• Chair Angelica Duran Martinez
• MinHyung Joo
• Ardeth Thawnghmung

Abstract This three-paper dissertation addresses the underrepresentation of women in UN peacekeeping missions and its impact on mission effectiveness. The three papers within this dissertation explore the factors influencing role allocation, the impact of gender on troop experiences and the potential benefits of increasing female troop deployments. By addressing these aspects, the research aims to contribute valuable insights to enhance gender inclusivity in military deployments, ultimately improving overall peacekeeping effectiveness and fostering positive outcomes in conflict zones. All interested persons are welcome to attend.

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MEES Graduate Program

Thesis (m.s.) defense - mathews, meghna.

• Tuesday, April 9, 2024
• 10:00 AM 1:00 PM 10:00 13:00
• Appalachian Laboratory 301 Braddock Road, IVN Room 109 Frostburg, MD, 21532 United States (map)
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Name: Meghna Mathews Date: 04/15/2024 Time (EST/EDT): 10:00 am Location: Hybrid--Appalachian Laboratory, IVN Room 109 Remote Access: email: [email protected] Committee Chair: Dr. Xin Zhang Committee Members: Dr. Matthew Houser Dr. Caroline Boules Title: The Role of Urban Agriculture in Baltimore Food Systems Abstract: The United States is one of the most agriculturally productive countries; and yet, food insecurity remains a significant issue for many of our communities. Many regions are considered food insecure, where fresh fruits and vegetables are not easily accessible, especially in low-income communities. But to identify these areas in need requires understanding a complex food system, an intertwined network of production, processing, transport, and consumption practices informed by- and affecting trends in governance and socioeconomics. In Baltimore, numerous communities are not receiving adequate access to these products due to their socioeconomic status. Currently, production is outweighing consumption patterns of fresh fruits and vegetables in Maryland, which shows that there is a deficit in the ratio of demand and supply. Such dilemmas of high productivity and persistent food insecurity indicate gaps in the current food system in Maryland. Increasing access to quality foods can not only provide proper nutrition to lower-income communities, but can also increase economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve health, global security, and stability. By assessing urban farms and food insecure communities in Baltimore, this research aims to address this gap by analyzing how reframing and reconsidering food distribution to communities through urban agriculture would be a fruitful strategy to lessen disparities across Healthy Food Priority Areas in Baltimore, Maryland. Insights from this framework can serve as a template for identifying other communities within the United States facing similar food insecurities, guiding future research.

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Get to know Michael Ferrer, MSIM student

After spending some time in the defense IT industry, Michael Ferrer decided to return to school for his MSIM degree to gain skills in areas such as data visualization and advance his career. Outside of his studies, Ferrer is a competitive ballroom dancer and member of the Illinois Army National Guard.

Why did you decide to pursue an IM degree?

Before entering the MSIM program, I worked for six years at a network operations center. I enjoyed my time there, but I felt a bit stagnant in my professional growth. I needed a significant change in my life to break that cycle, so when the opportunity to pursue an MSIM degree presented itself, I took the leap and applied.

Why did you choose the iSchool at Illinois?

I earned my bachelor's degree in computer science from Illinois State University in Bloomington, which is about an hour from Urbana-Champaign. Since I'm well acquainted with central Illinois, I welcomed the chance to pursue my graduate education in a familiar environment. I also chose the University of Illinois because of its amazing academic reputation nationally and abroad. I have found the faculty and staff at the iSchool to be very helpful, and while there are a lot of students on campus, my learning environment feels just right with classes that are not too empty or full.

What particular IM topics interest you the most?

I really like classes that leverage tools for data visualization. We get to use tools like Microsoft PowerBI and Salesforce Tableau, which are used in industry to interpret and visualize data into something that clients/customers will understand. I also enjoy classes that cover interdisciplinary concepts, touching on data analytics but also delving into business-related principles and lessons learned from case studies.

What do you do outside of class?

Outside of class, I am primarily a part of Illini DanceSport, which is the university's competitive ballroom dance student organization. I attend many social dance events too, such as salsa, bachata, swing dance, etc. I also serve part time in the military through the Illinois Army National Guard. The organization lets me fulfill my dream of being a soldier, while letting me pursue my civilian education.

What career plans or goals do you have?

As of right now, my plan is to return to St. Louis, Missouri, after completing the MSIM program to pursue a higher-level position at my old workplace. However, I am also open to other opportunities as they present themselves.

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