Step 1. Identify generic questions
- IN A FEW SENTENCES, WHAT IS YOUR THESIS? CAN YOU SUMMERISE IT IN A FEW SENTENCES?
- WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS TOPIC FOR YOUR DOCTORAL RESEARCH?
- WHAT WAS THE GAP IN KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU WERE SEEKING TO FILL?
- HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR FINDINGS, AND TO WHOM?
- HOW WOULD YOU CRITIQUE YOUR RESEARCH?
- WOULD YOU (WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT) DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?
- WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM THE PROCESS OF DOING YOUR PHD?
- HOW ARE YOU GOING TO USE YOUR RESEARCH FINDINGS? (what is your next step?)
Step 2. Identify specific questions.
Step 3. Practice answering verbally.
- Using clear voice
- Speed: 150 words per minute, according to international standard
- Eye contact
- Sitting straight, a bit forward
- Not offensive to take and answer questions. See this as an unique opportunity to discuss your work with somebody
- See the viva as a positive thing
