Thesis defence training

© CERes

Target group: doctoral researchers (at a final stage of a doctorate)

The course is designed to prepare doctoral researchers for their thesis defence. In the first part of the course, we help participants develop a blueprint for their presentation with a clear formulation of their research questions and main message. In the second part, we address problems that can occur during the discussion. We look at various types of difficult questions and discuss strategies participants can use to respond to them. In the third part, participants have the opportunity to practice their presentation and receive feedback from both the group and the trainer. All content is illustrated with best-practice examples, and participants are given space throughout the course to apply the content directly to their own topics. Additionally, we address questions about formalities surrounding the thesis defence.

Objectives:

  • Give a convincing and well-structured presentation

  • Respond confidently to critical questions

  • Be well prepared and feel confident about the thesis defence

  • Prepare central elements of the thesis defence presentation (i.e.,  research questions, main messages, and argument structure)

Facilitator: Dr Malte Engel (Argumentationskompetenz)

Diese Veranstaltung findet in englischer Sprache statt. // This event will be held in English.

Registration

If you would like to participate in this event and it is already marked as fully booked, you are welcome to join the waiting list. It often happens that registered participants cancel their attendance, which creates available spots. Free spots are allocated in the order of waiting list registrations. If spots become available within 72 hours before the event starts, we will notify several registrants simultaneously. These spots will then be allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis.