Graduate Studies Support Program
This workshop is part of the Graduate Studies Support Program of Berlin University Alliance. For an overview of all Graduate Studies Support Program events, click here.
This course is designed to prepare the participants optimally for this situation.
In the first part of the course the participants get practical tips for their thesis defense presentation: how to structure the presentation, how to build a sound argument, what language to use, etc. The second part of the course addresses problems that can occur during the discussion. We look at various types of difficult questions and discuss strategies that the participants can use to respond to them. In the third part, participants get the chance to practice their presentation and to receive feedback from the group and from the trainer. To participate in the course, doctoral students don't need to have their thesis defense presentation prepared yet, and they don't need to be in the final weeks before the defense. The goal of the course is mainly to help them prepare central elements for the summary of their research that they have to present in the thesis defense, so the course can also be helpful for participants who are still in the writing-phase.
Objectives
The participants...
- give a convincing and well-structured presentation
- respond confidently to critical questions
- are well prepared and feel confident about their thesis defense
Contents
- the opening of the thesis defense presentation
- how to structure the thesis defense presentation
- building valid and sound arguments
- handling difficult questions
- presentations from participants and mock defense
Participation
To participate in the course, doctoral students don't need to have their thesis defense presentation prepared yet, and they don't need to be in the final weeks before the defense. The goal of the course is mainly to help them prepare central elements for the summary of their research that they have to present in the thesis defense, so the course can also be helpful for participants who are still in the writing-phase.
Both dates are mandatory. In addition, optional individual discussions with feedback on elements of the thesis defense presentation (30–60 minutes) will be arranged by appointment.