The PhD viva is a crucial milestone that determines your doctoral success, yet many candidates approach it with a lot of anxiety and not enough preparation. This comprehensive workshop demystifies the viva process and equips you with practical strategies to perform confidently on the day.

You’ll learn how to prepare systematically in the months leading up to your viva, from re-reading your thesis thoroughly to anticipating examiner questions. Through interactive discussions and proven techniques, you’ll develop the skills to articulate your research clearly and defend your work without becoming defensive.

We’ll cover:

  • Understanding the viva’s purpose and possible outcomes.
  • Creating an effective preparation timeline covering thesis review, literature updates, and examiner research.
  • Anticipating different question types.
  • Learning strategic answering techniques.
  • Managing nerves.

By the end of the session, you’ll have:

  • Clarified what examiners are looking for and how the viva process works.
  • Developed a structured approach to your preparation.
  • Learned frameworks for handling questions effectively.
  • Practised techniques for discussing weaknesses constructively and defining your terms clearly.
  • Built confidence in your ability to demonstrate expertise in your research area.

👩🏽‍🎓 Audience: Late-stage PhD researchers in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

⏰ Duration: 2 hours

Feedback

  • “Really clear, calm, humorous at times which helped to make a daunting subject seem much more approachable! Offered lots of opportunities to ask questions and give ideas.”
  • “Excellent, as always (well-prepared, very helpful and witty).”
  • “Brilliant! Simple and clear - very reassuring and informative.”

Delivery

This workshop is delivered online through Zoom.

Cost

This 2-hour workshop costs ££550 for up to 30 participants.

Booking

Please email me@catherinepope.com if you’d like to book this training or if you have any questions.

On receipt of a purchase order, I’ll arrange a date with you for the workshop and make all the necessary technical arrangements. You just need to promote the event and send the link to your researchers.

For more information, please see my full workshop terms and conditions.