The PhD viva ritual: a critical autobiographical account

Morgan, D. (2022)

In R. Twinley and G. Letherby (eds.) The Doctoral Journey as an Emotional, Embodied, Political Experience. London, Routledge: 127–133

Abstract

During my career I supervised and examined numerous doctoral students. The culmination of the journey is the oral examination, a ritual which involves candidates, supervisors and examiners but in different ways. Here I present a critical autobiographical account of this ritual, its participants and settings. I include a contrast between British and Nordic doctoral examinations. I conclude by re-considering this ritual in the context of changing university practices and wider social divisions.

Cite this chapter

Morgan, D. (2022) The PhD viva ritual: a critical autobiographical account.. In R. Twinley and G. Letherby (eds.) The Doctoral Journey as an Emotional, Embodied, Political Experience. London, Routledge: 127–133

Visit the main UK Council for Graduate Education website