How to prepare for your PhD thesis defence

phd.academy/blog/how-to-prepa...
0:00 The preparation for your defence begins on day 1 of your PhD
0:40 Know the format
2:00 Presentations
3:58 Answering awkward questions
5:49 You set the syllabus for your own PhD defence
6:55 Updating your knowledge of the core literature after you submit
8:17 Dealing with nerves before the defence
9:12 If your defence is online
10:57 If you lose your train of thought or forget the question
12:12 You might actually enjoy it...

[@anniochan]

Thanks for this! I will be defending early next year and will definitely be following these golden nuggets of advice :D

[@zovi123]

This is really helping me a lot. Thanks James. Keep it coming :)

[@MayRamK04]

Thank you James. I always look forward to your sharing. 🙌🙌

[@liqurice555]

Thank you so much for this information, James! My defence is coming up in 5 weeks from now and I'm so grateful I found your precious advices. :)

[@megabigblur]

Great tip on finding recent relevant literature! I usually just do a keyword search for recent papers but didn't think of going to the "cited by" of core papers I already saved.

[@jimohololade5385]

Thanks very much, this is very helpful as I am preparing to defend my DBA in few weeks time. The video and the delivery of the subject was good too. Much appreciated.

[@dr.bangura4722]

Thank you,Dr Hayton for your vital videos throughout my time-3 years of doing PhD in China. Your videos helped me a lot. I have just passed my external experts' thesis review examination.

[@aspenanderson5063]

Wow thank you so much! My defence is in less than a week and you really hit the nail on the head, I have stressed myself out so much because I don’t know everything and there is no way to know everything. Your video has assured me that I’ve done all the right things to prepare and I am feeling much less anxious. I appreciate your video and the advice.

[@doctorhannah_]

2:05 "It's better to say less and focus on your strongest content [...] and let them ask you questions about what they want to ask about"

[@mdrapkin]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts - all good, sage ideas that should prove useful when I attend my defense.

[@apple-qi3zk]

This is extremely helpful especially for someone like me who gets super nervous during presentations. Thanks James.

[@pamelamashiane9637]

I have an upcoming defence and this session was exactly what I needed. Thank you soo much!

[@pattnaikd]

Thanks a Ton James, very useful tips for Dissertation Defense for PhD as mine is schedule for next week..:)

[@agustinagracia7487]

Thank you very much! my thesis defense is coming up next month and this is very helpful and reassuring information

[@salahsaada9561]

very helpful, very smart answer to the unknown question, thank you James.

[@ruthmathina2164]

Encouraging presentation. Thank you Dr.

[@JalalUdDin-fo5db]

Great video by a great professor!

[@christiancito7445]

I needed this! Thank you so much!

[@RK-df1fm]

Thanks for the guides on the defense.

[@tesscherlin2470]

Thank so much for this helpful and calming video on PhD defense! I will defend next week and your tips for preparing for the day of were very useful to me. I also really like your jacket, where can I find one?

[@theannareich]

Thanks a lot! Although I'm not doing a PhD (yet), I have been using your advice for my master thesis which has been of enormous help :) This video was great to calm my nerves before the final defence!

[@yahyataki6994]

I'm defending my veterinary thesis two months from now, I hope I can be as calm as you were

[@theannareich]

@@yahyataki6994 Good luck! I’m sure you got this 😎

[@victoriajoseph5617]

Great explanation. Thanks. I will be defending.

[@josephmckenzie3572]

Thank you for your presentation . It help me for the way forward

[@melinda733]

Thanks a lot. All you do is very helpful.

[@rahilaanwar8513]

Thank you! It was helpful. I have my defense on 10 of November 2021.

[@zaheerabbas4221]

Thanks, James, it is so helpful.

[@Ilhemworld]

I'm having my PhD thesis defense in a month and this came in the right time, thank you

[@evafame8786]

Thanks so much your words are really relaxing

[@maipyaar]

Thank you Dr James Hayton. This helps.

[@MrPearla95]

A very useful and helpful video. Many thanks

[@vantrann1324]

Great video, thank you so much!

[@umangvarshney8332]

Can't agree more on last part. Talking about work you are passionate about to receptive well read people should be pleasant.

[@edwardwu2084]

I'm so glad that I see this video 10days before my viva. The last part gives me confidence and wipes all my stress out. Thank you for sharing~

[@James_Hayton]

Good luck!

[@PankajSharma-my8vp]

Thank you. Great tips.

[@thank_you2933]

I was asked to advise PhD students for their defense. So, your video is very helpful for my preparation. Thank you 😊

[@coreyinprogress]

I'm 6 days out, this has been a great video!

[@avigharehgazlou7363]

Amazing! thank you so much

[@ahmedshahat4619]

Thanks for this nice and informative video.

[@mausoomahassan]

Very helpful and appreciated.

[@xgatetogatex]

thanks alot..great help!

[@laure189]

The channel name sounded familiar, until I realized I bought your book three years ago when I started my thesis - now about to defend!! XD

[@oforakubo3965]

Good one

[@rezaulkarimreza7975]

Thanks . Its really healpfull

[@drsevayipekaydn2035]

Thank you James. Wish me luck :)

[@James_Hayton]

Good luck!

[@fernandomarquez365]

It was a great video. Thank you James. My thesis defense will be between Angust-September I have a lot experiences giving different presentation in Spanish and English but this video is so useful. My big problem nowadays (one of them ) is to get my TOEFL exam before getting my degree. God bless you James and hello from Mexico city by the way.

[@James_Hayton]

Why do you need the TOEFL before the degree? Why not get the defense out of the way and then do it?

[@fernandomarquez365]

@@James_Hayton it's a requirement 😤😅

[@dra.christianecimini9737]

Thank you so much!

[@barrieahmed3233]

Thanks for the good advice...

[@terrferr1]

Yes, one step to Ph.D ,,Inshaa-Allah

[@fatimegashi1595]

Great advices and tips, although I have not reached there yet 👍👍

[@govindrajdempo]

Excellent. Thanks a lot. I am on way to my doctoral public defense and this helps immensely.

[@4Getf00l]

How was it?

[@hassanosman6204]

Thank you very much, today is my defense

[@parkourfanatic5165]

How did it go?

[@Karan-md8ps]

Great advice

[@Nyabanda2010]

Great tip

[@dillipsahoo1855]

Thank for information

[@ellietboadi66]

Thanks James😌💜

[@jafets5461]

Thanks very much

[@marianachrispim7213]

Thanks for the helpful video and interesting perspective!👏👏👏 My defense is this Friday, online 4 examiners and public audience. I am trying to prepare :)

[@StellarStephify]

How did it go!!?

[@marianachrispim7213]

@@StellarStephify It was an amazing and memorable experience! After my presentation I had 5 h of argumentation but I enjoyed everything. It is a feeling of fulfillment for finishing this stage.

[@James_Hayton]

5h? That's an epic defence! Glad you enjoyed it and congratulations!

[@almabaptist9291]

@@marianachrispim7213 congratulations 🎉 after 5hr discussion u definitely discuss it

[@NR-cd9tx]

Where were you undertaking your Phd? 5h is abit too much!

[@athulvijayan1578]

Awesome

[@upalijayatilaka]

Thank You

[@theaussiewhinger]

We are lucky in Australia that oral theses defences are not usually done. That said, this is also very good advice for discussion one's research in other contexts as well, like at conferences etc.

[@James_Hayton]

I’m not sure I’d call it lucky- I think you miss out by not having the chance to defend your work (many people end up enjoying it as it’s the one chance you get to sit and discuss your complete work- it’s also a good rite of passage).

[@KKYong]

Great video, James. Any more deep dive techniques and methodologies in thesis/viva defence?

[@James_Hayton]

Is there anything specific you're concerned about?

[@carolineroberts5918]

Thank you very much for this video. I’m defending in two weeks.

[@James_Hayton]

Good luck!

[@user-ry6wn4by8y]

Thanks for video)

[@emmanuelandem9400]

Thank you so much James. Very helpful

[@saidteacher3331]

you said in other countries its common to have a panel defense, I do not know which countries you mean, maybe the US is one of them. In my country Algeria ( and i believe Morocco and Tunisia alike) two exterminators required and the discussion is usually very tough. I did not really like it when I first attended a phd defense at no other than Harvard , seemed a lot like a very friendly environment, though I do not know what really did happen when asked to leave. I have much appreciation to how things are done very differently in the US!

[@4Getf00l]

In Japan, I will have 5 panelists, one of them will be my supervisor. So, essentially, 4 experts grilling the students.

[@tsashikumar]

thanks. i'm preparing for viva in the coming month.

[@authenticworldacademy]

Thumbs up for this video! I'm defending August 23rd 🤞

[@James_Hayton]

Good luck!!

[@KaizorianEmpire]

thanks passed with minor corrections, your video helped,

[@James_Hayton]

Congratulations!

[@KaizorianEmpire]

@@James_Hayton i don' tknow if you do already but can you set up a company/consultation for checking phd and masters dissertaion and or publication for spelling, grammar structure etc and also include premeium "writting structure courses"... this would be good... i could help out , (ignore bad spelling grammar, im in bed on a non responsive phone(

[@KaizorianEmpire]

@@James_Hayton I am on the PC now, your greatest strength is your ability to condense large data sets and filter them accordingly to present the relevant information. This is something most people do not know how to do yet it seems so easy. After watching your video on how to write your thesis, it's incredible how well articulated (i don't mean speaking), i mean delivery and filtering out precise "technical" words that fit exactly and convey the ideas easily.

[@sophytas5130]

Thank you very much Prof. Count down. 3 days to go. 😁

[@saraazeem3357]

Best of Luck..

[@sophytas5130]

@@saraazeem3357 thank you very much! It's over! Thanks Prof Hayton! Your tips and suggestions kept me standing for the whole Q&A session.

[@yvonnephan1652]

Mine happening in less than 3 hours. Calming my nerve and reading the latest development

[@almabaptist9291]

Excellent content. Learnt so much. Esp the tip for searching new literature.

[@justinm.1]

Idk why but I find myself watching PHD videos like this even though I’m extremely far away (and possibly not even gonna make it 😢)

[@swarnimasinghgautam6230]

Sir, can you please suggest that sci journals genuinely consider the appeal against the decision on manuscript? In my case, the decision letter contains same comments from two reviewers (exactly same wordings i.e. plagiarized statements). The other three reviewers' comments also do not represent the criticism (suggestion kind of comments). So, if it would be wise to appeal against the decision and wait for their reply or I should submit my manuscript to some other journal. It would be really helpful to me if you can kindly suggest something regarding it.

[@James_Hayton]

I know that appeals can be successful, but I can't say whether this particular journal would consider it or not. Different journals will have different procedures so I would check their submission guidelines and see if they say anything about appeals. I'd also speak to your supervisor (as they will have been through this before and they know your work).

[@maramezina1094]

Thank you so much. I have a question about what to include in the powerpoint: I consider all the points very important. How can I manage that?

[@James_Hayton]

Depends how much time you have... but you don't have to include all the important points. They've read your thesis and they'll ask you about anything they want more detail on!

[@samuelashaju]

I'm defending tomorrow and here I am watching this video. Anyways thanks for the tips, I'm off to bed.

[@chrisn4892]

got my viva in a couple of weeks/months. interesting video

[@James_Hayton]

Good luck!

[@solatkhan7632]

Explanation of all types of writings of Robert Browning as I am a PhD researcher on Robert Browning poetry.

[@James_Hayton]

You'd like me to explain all types of writings of Robert Browning? I might not be the best person to ask..

[@larasayed01]

This is exactly what I needed for these scariest and most difficult moments of my life. I have recently submitted my PhD thesis and I am waiting for the evaluators' reports that I hope will be positive. Meanwhile, I am revising my thesis and I am thinking ahead, trying to anticipate the panel's questions and comments. Thank you ever so much dear James! Your video is not only insightful but also filled with rich information that will certainly help me go through my coming up journey. Whatever I say, I will not thank you enough! Please wish me good luck 🙏

[@James_Hayton]

Good luck!

[@legesseshiferaw1767]

Am gonna have my defense after a month. I can't focus on preparation thinking about examiners thought about .y work.

[@haonanqiu4251]

Thank you!

[@James_Hayton]

You're welcome!

[@ukaaeruchalu7739]

Hi Dr. Good afternoon Sir. I just stumbled upon this video now. I will be having my Defense next month. Please can you send me more of this preparatory videos & proper PowerPoint slides for my presentation. Thank you Dr. Your video was helpful

[@James_Hayton]

I can't send you slides, but I might be able to answer a question or two. What would you want from another video?

[@ukaaeruchalu7739]

@@James_Hayton Thank you for your prompt response Dr.

[@ukaaeruchalu7739]

I would want you to walk me through the preparation process of presenting an Excellent presentation of my Dissertation since you've been there. Let me climb on your shoulder to see far. Once again I fully appreciate your timely response Dr

[@James_Hayton]

How long does your presentation have to be? And have you been given any guidelines from your supervisor?

[@ukaaeruchalu7739]

@@James_Hayton My presentation time is 20- 30 minutes. I have been working with my Supervisor but I still want to have enough mentorship from Dr that has gone ahead of me for in the multitude of counsellors safety is guaranteed. Once again thank you for your time

[@lakhnechahmed2735]

I am Ahmed from Algeria, I am 51 years old. I would like to complete a Ph.D. in budgetary management. What universities can I accept and be less expensive and that provide training in my specialization? What is the way to convince the supervisor and how do I find a PhD project that is acceptable to my supervisor? Thank you....

[@nicpamintuan]

Our thesis defense is still 2 semesters away but it already scares me to death and couldn't make me sleep every night

[@emmabolasco4635]

Hi Dr. Hayton. Do you have an IG account so more ways to watch your videos?

[@James_Hayton]

no, I just use KZbin. I'm a minimalist when it comes to social media and don't want to spread my attention too thinly. Also no facebook, twitter etc...

[@JalalUdDin-fo5db]

🍀👏👌

[@amithks8]

Could you please let me know how to prepare for comprehensive viva? How the literature should be segregated in general for presenting for viva?

[@James_Hayton]

I'm not sure- it depends what the requirements are at your university. In general, a PhD viva should be much more focused on your own work than on other people's. If you've been told to do part of your presentation on the literature, you have to be very selective- presenting only the most relevant. The aim is not to show how much you have read, but to say something interesting about work that leads to yours

[@amithks8]

@@James_Hayton Thank you. I would also like to hear what ethics one can follow to manage time during PhD?

[@adiflorense1477]

8:22 Sir, how to get rid of nerveous

[@sageoakley1789]

quite handsome man!

[@boredscientist5756]

Nice joke

[@solatkhan7632]

hi, greetings. i am a PhD on (Robert Browning's) and a PhD guide here in India and an English language freak. I want a native speaker to give me explanation of different kinds of writings of any English Writer or poet because I have to guide my students for the same. Sometimes i comes across some words, phrases, or idioms which are non-English, like Greek, Latin, French, German, etc., also sometimes I come across some words which are dialectal idiom, proverbs, saying, etc. I require either an explanation or referral of a site, book, etc, which would be of great help to me. Thank you.

[@James_Hayton]

I don't understand the question... you want a guide to specific writers? How have you ended up teaching this if you don't know sources on the subject?

[@justinenicole3926]

I submitted on Feb. 24th. I defend Mar. 24th. My defense is going to be on Zoom. I just want to know if I have to make slides 🤣. I hate making sides. My defense is public (USA).

[@James_Hayton]

It depends on your university guidelines. Some require a presentation with slides, some don't

[@migrations]

In my opinion if you can't answer a question about YOUR work that you put a year or two into then the question is out of your range of expertise or the question doesn't have a great answer.

[@James_Hayton]

Not true. Examiners will try to push to the limits and challenge you to think beyond what you know for sure. They may ask questions nobody knows the answer to, but they want to see how you think about it.

[@sashanealand8315]

Oh crap I have noone to discuss with, Im in an isolated lab out in the middle of no owhere, Im the only one there

[@solatkhan7632]

Can you suggest a native speaker who give the explanation of every literature writing

[@James_Hayton]

Not sure what you mean- an explanation of every literature writing?

[@dr.jawwadsamiurrahman702]

Tomorrow is my PhD defense. May Allah make it easy for me.

[@James_Hayton]

Good luck!

[@boredscientist5756]

Allah doesn't exist..... Thx bye! 😂

[@nadeedissanayake]

Thank you so much, James. Very helpful! My defence is tomorrow.

[@NR-cd9tx]

How did it go?