Preparing for PhD defence | GRTC801

This two-part workshop series is designed to support graduate students through the thesis submission and defence process. The series  will provide guidance on submission requirements, clarify expectations for the defence, and offer strategies for preparing and responding to common themes of defence questions.

- The first part will focus on understanding the submission and defence process, including important dates and timelines, committee expectations, and how to prepare in the period between initial submission and the defence.

- The second part will be focused on practice/discussions. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in a mini-mock defence, practice presenting their work, give and receive feedback, and reflect on how to answer questions clearly and effectively.
 

We encourage participants to come prepared with a thesis abstract, chapter abstract, or short summary of their project. Though encouraged, you do not need to be at the final stage of their thesis defence to benefit from the workshop. If your presentation is still developing, you can bring what you have and use the session to practice, receive feedback, and think through how to communicate your work more clearly.
 

The goal of the workshop is to help you approach your defence with greater confidence, set-up your expectations, clarify steps involved in the thesis submission and defence process, and finally to help you develop a practical preparation plan.

*Note 1: Participants in the late stages of their PhD journey are highly encouraged to attend.
*Note 2: Doctoral students from all disciplines are welcome. The content is designed to be applicable to all programs.

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

- Understand the general structure, requirements, and expectations of the doctoral thesis submission and defence process.

- Identify what to expect during the defence, including the role of the committee, the presentation, and the question period.

- Practice presenting their thesis research in a clear and organized way, as well as give and receive feedback.

- Develop strategies for responding to common and challenging defence questions.

- Develop a preparation plan to support a successful defence.

Althea Thompson (she/her) is a PhD candidate in the Department of History; an Academic Skills Workshop Facilitator for GradProSkills; and the Team Lead for Concordia’s Writing Centre. Her doctoral research investigates the “teaching” and learning of history on social media, using Russian history as a case study.

This workshop is intended for PhD candidates nearing their defence or that are at their final stages of their degree, but other doctoral students are also welcome.