Public defences
A public defence, i.e. a public examination of a doctoral thesis, is a ceremonial occasion that follows academic traditions. During the proceedings the doctoral student defends the results of their doctoral thesis against public criticism and answers questions presented by the opponent. The course of the public defense is supervised by the custos, i.e. chairperson.
The proceedings follow a strict protocol and dress code. The audience comprises of colleagues in the field as well as close relatives and friends of the doctoral student. Customarily the defence takes approximately two hours. Afterwards, doctoral students usually offer refreshments to the audience. A remote or hydrid format defence is also possible.
The post-doctoral party, or "karonkka" marks the end of the doctoral thesis process and is arranged by the doctoral student to thank the opponent, the custos and others who contributed to the work.
Preparing for the public defence
Instructions for planning and arranging public defences (for doctoral student and custos)
Upcoming public defences
Public defence in Energy Technology, M.Sc Maryam Yeganeh
Experimental Studies on Challenges in Hydrogen Heavy-duty and Marine Engines (title of the thesis).
Public defence in Computer Science, M.Sc. Rongjun Ma
Everyday Appropriation of Technology: Experiences, Challenges, and Implications (title of the thesis).
Public defence in Engineering Physics, M.Sc. Marcel Niedermeier
Reinterpreting tensor networks: quantum-inspired solutions to problems in condensed matter physics (title of the thesis).