If you are staring down the barrel of a major doctoral milestone (i.e. a PGR9 confirmation of candidature or an oral exam), you might like to know that there is help at hand.
Both of these milestones require you to explain and defend your research, give a presentation, and face questions. In the PGR9 confirmation of candidature, you propose your research before it is conducted and written up. In the oral exam, you defend your research after you have submitted your thesis. In both cases, you need to be prepared to speak about your research and justify your choices.
The Graduate Research School runs workshops to help you prepare for these milestones. We have now added two new workshops which focus specifically on the presentation skills you will need to speak clearly and and professionally about your research.
| Workshop | Facilitator | 2019 Dates |
| Developing your Research Proposal for your Confirmation of Candidature (PGR9) | Professor Marion Jones, Dean of the Graduate Research School | Jan 29
May 7 Aug 8 Oct 17 |
| *NEW* Presentation Skills for your Research Proposal for your Confirmation of Candidature (PGR9) | Dr Anaise Irvine, Researcher Development Coordinator | Mar 21
Jun 20 Sep 12 |
| Preparing for your Doctoral Oral Examination | Professor Marion Jones, Dean of the Graduate Research School | Jan 24
Mar 26 Jun 13 Sep 5 |
| *NEW* Presentation Skills for your Doctoral Oral Examination | Dr Anaise Irvine, Researcher Development Coordinator | Feb 26
Apr 30 Jul 2 Sep 26 |
Professor Jones’ workshops give a great overview of the process involved in meeting your milestones. They cover relevant aspects of AUT policy, and give you tips for succeeding.
The new presentation skills workshops focus on how you present yourself and your research: your voice, your words, and your visual aids (if relevant). You’ll encounter examples of strong speakers, both academic and non-academic, and you’ll learn what kind of content is appropriate for your PGR9 or oral exam presentation.
AUT doctoral students are welcome to come along to whichever of these workshops suit your research stage and your needs. As with all of our Graduate Research School workshops, you can book at elab.aut.ac.nz.
We hope to see you there! In the meantime, you might like to check out Thesislink’s past coverage of the PGR9 and oral exam processes.
PGR9:
- What’s the Deal with the Provisional Year Review?
- Presenting your Research Proposal – PGR9 Advice from a Doctoral Student
Oral exam:
