Disputation Training

The Berlin University Alliance (BUA) is an alliance of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Together, they are pursuing the goal of creating and shaping an integrated research space in Berlin. This alliance aims to establish Berlin as a leading international science location. All workshops and events offered by the Graduate Studies Support Program are funded by the BUA and therefore free of charge.

Participation

Doctoral researchers (all disciplines) of the Berlin University Alliance in their final year.

Before booking a workshop, please make sure that you can attend for the entire duration. Please check our terms and conditions.

Objectives

This workshop prepares doctoral candidates for their disputation, honing their presentation skills so as to be able to argue points convincingly and think on their feet during the question and answer segment of the doctoral defense. The workshop provides information about the formal procedures and requirements as well as the social setting and the do’s and don’ts of a doctoral examination. It places particular emphasis on strategically preparing one’s position in the lead-up to the defense and dealing with the Q&A session.

Content

• Selecting a committee: what should I take into account?

• Do’s and don’ts in oral examination.

• How do I stand my ground during the Q&A?

• How do I deal with stage fright?

• How do I structure the preparation phase most effectively?

Methods

•One to one coaching
•Working with a partner
•Discussion
•A mix of theory and practice
•Video recording