PhD viva

I suppose I came to chairing PhD vivas is a bit late. The first one I did was only 2024. I suppose I was quite old when I became academic staff. And my very limited experience was also not typical; the one I had done had been online. The candidate was living quite far away.

Now I was asked to chair one in person, of a student based in the UK. She was modelling the climate in the Archaean. Interesting stuff!

Getting there on time was a bit of a challenge. The only availability of Mark, the external, was on a date when I was in the field with the students in the morning. I would have to pretty sharpishly get to our campus, make myself presentable, and then show up for lunch.

When we were done in the field, Jaco and I left in his car, and he dropped me off home. There I had a bit of a scare; my little car was parked in, but that was easily resolved. The vehicle was associated with Neuadd Ogwen, and they had made sure to keep the back door open so I could just walk in and ask the people there to make space for me. Which they did!

Note what you want to see if you have a place to go to. But it worked out!

When I got to Menai Bridge I decided I had time to have a little shower. Then I put my smart outfit on. Then I filled two flasks with hot water; these vivas can last a long time, and I need to look after myself. I was ready!

When I got to the room, Mattias (the supervisor), Dei (the internal examiner) and Mark (the external examiner) were already there. They weren’t looking as smart as me! Maybe I could just have showed up in my field outfit. But that was too late now. I dived into the lunch as I was hungry now. Mark and Dei discussed examination strategies. Mattias left. 

Then it was time. Anya, the PhD candidate, came in. And it started!

As the chair I basically only had one job: to keep the internal and external in check. But they didn't need that. So I was largely furniture. I think I only came in use twice: once when Anya couldn't think of a word, and I had correctly guessed which word she was looking for; and at the end, when both men had asked sufficient questions, and then asked her if there was anything she wanted to discuss. Then I told her that it was highly unlikely she would ever have these two men at her disposal again, so that I thought she should take this chance.

Altogether it didn't last very long, and in the end the external told her that she had passed with minor corrections. A great result!

When it was over, Anya met up with people of her choice, and Mark, Dei and me waited for Mattias to come back from the teaching engagement he had had. And when he was back we first went for a little walk over Church Island. It is only a small walk, but with lots of views you don't get in London, where Mark is based! And then we headed for an Indian restaurant for a curry.

A view on our walk

It had been a bit hectic, but it ended up being a very good day. The field trip couldn't have gone any better, I had made it to the viva on time, and that had gone really well for everyone involved. What more could you want!