doctoral viva advice sought
In a few weeks, I'm going to act as external examiner for a doctoral thesis for the first time. I'd welcome any advice on how to play my part in conducting the viva. The thesis is a solid, serviceable affair, so I anticipate no Damascene moments at the viva, but it's not particularly suggestive or, frankly, terribly interesting, and I have visions of sitting about rather desperately with the candidate and the internal examiner, without a great deal to say. My only prior experience of this was my own doctoral viva, which was more of a cosy chat in armchairs. The internal examiner is proving difficult to dig up via e-mail, so no illumination there.
I'm in the UK, and the thesis is in the humanities.
I'm in the UK, and the thesis is in the humanities.