Is this course right for me?

Target Audience: All Academic Staff

This workshop aims to support academics in becoming more effective examiners by exploring issues such as:

• The University of Strathclyde processes and expectations for viva examination.
• What is regarded as best practice in terms of conducting a PhD viva.
• How to effectively structure the viva to ensure that the process is rigorous and fair.
• How to deal with difficult situations within the viva including challenging candidates, difficult examiners, and difficult outcomes.

The workshop will be facilitated so that participants have an opportunity to discuss their own approaches and experiences of the viva process, share best practice, and discuss the issues that they find more difficult within the viva process. The workshop will be led by an experienced facilitator who has previously worked as an academic and has examined a number of PhDs.

What previous participants have said about this course:

• "It was excellent in all respects. The presenter was excellent and very knowledgeable. It was also very useful to hear about colleagues' experiences."
• "Lots of practical advice on how to handle difficult situations."
• "Very useful and helpful for understanding the expectations of examining a viva and your duties and responsibilities as an examiner.  Great for learning about aspects of the viva that you might not have considered."

By the end of this workshop you should understand:

• The University of Strathclyde processes and expectations for viva examination.
• What is regarded as best practice in terms of conducting a PhD viva.
• How to effectively structure the viva to ensure that the process is rigorous and fair.
• How to deal with difficult situations within the viva including challenging candidates, difficult examiners, and difficult outcomes.

Cancellation Policy 

When applying for a course, you should note that there will be a £50* charge to your Department / School if you do not attend your place on the course. There will be no charge as long as you cancel your booked place before the event or notify our staff at osdu@strath.ac.uk that you can no longer attend.

A Department / School is welcome to send someone else in your place if they wish without incurring a charge, providing that person has the necessary prerequisites for the course. In the case of courses split over more than one day, you are expected to attend ALL parts of the course.

*This is the standard charge for cancellation or non-attendance of a course of 1-day duration or less. For some courses, there may be a higher cancellation charge and if this is the case you will be advised of this at the time of booking. 

Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring our events and courses are accessible to all staff. If you feel you have a disability, health issue, or neurodivergent condition that may affect your ability to access, participate or engage in this course, please get in touch with us at osdu@strath.ac.uk to discuss your specific support requirements.

Prerequisites