Arrangera disputationer
Anvisningar för doktorander och kustoser för att planera och arrangera disputationer.
Disputationsdagens gång
Both the public defence and the post-doctoral party are academic events which follow a predetermined protocol.
Loading table of contents
During the public examination of the doctoral thesis, or the defence, the doctoral student defends the results of their doctoral thesis against public criticism and answers questions presented by the opponent, who has been appointed to evaluate the thesis. The course of the public defense is supervised by a custos, who usually is the supervising professor of the doctoral student.
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. Post-doctoral party follows the Finnish academic traditions.
Practical instructions
For information on the practical arrangements, please see the common instructions for public defence at Aalto University (link below).
Protocol of the defence
Here you can find detailed information on the course of events in the public defence. Protocol follows the usual instructions also in public defences organized remotely. ARTS: but they can be modified (e.g. the parties can be seated during the whole remote defence).
Customarily the defence begins at 12 noon sharp and takes approximately 2-3 hours. The audience must enter the hall by 12 noon, but the repondent, opponent and custos enter at 12:15 sharp. The whole defence shall not exceed four hours.
ARTS: Audience etiquette may be distributed to the audience of the defence. It explains to the audience e.g. when they should stand up, when it is time for questions and that they should not applaud during the defence.
Forms of address
At the public examination, the form of direct address is "Mr / Madam Opponent".
The doctoral candidate and the Custos may discuss in advance the examination's degree of formality. The participants do not have to resort to pre-formulated modes of expression. Some of the expressions traditionally used at public examinations are, however, mentioned below.
Arrival
The protagonists at the defence shall arrive in the following order: first the doctoral candidate, then the Custos, and last the opponent(s). The audience shall rise to acknowledge their arrival.
The Custos and the opponent(s), if they have doctors' degrees, shall carry their doctoral hats as they enter and leave the lecture hall. During the defence, their hats stand on the table in front of them, with the lyre emblem towards the audience.
Opening of the examination
When everyone has taken his or her place, the Custos shall welcome everyone, introduce the doctoral candidate and the opponent(s) and declare the proceedings open:
”At this defence, the doctoral thesis of NN, Master of Science in Technology, will be presented for examination for the degree of Doctor of Science.
Professor NN of the university of X will act as the official opponent. As the official Custos appointed by the Aalto University School of Y, I declare this defence open”.
The audience will then take their seats.
Lectio praecursoria
The doctoral candidate shall stand to deliver the Lectio Praecursoria, which shall last a maximum of twenty minutes. The opening phrase is ”Honoured Custos, honoured opponents, esteemed audience”
The doctoral candidate generally gives the Lectio Praecursoria in the language of the public defence. If the doctoral candidate wishes, Lectio Praecursoria can be given in Finnish or in Swedish. In this case, it is courteous to inform the opponent, who does not speak Finnish or Swedish, of its contents.
The candidate may give the opponent(s) a list of mistakes noticed in the manuscript and may also distribute copies to the audience.
After the Lectio Praecursoria the candidate, still standing, shall say in the language of the defence: ”I ask you, honoured professor(s)/doctor(s) NN (and NN) appointed as opponent(s) by Aalto University School of Y to present the observations that you consider appropriate for this doctoral thesis”.
Opponent's opening statement
The opponent (or one of the opponents) stands and makes a short opening statement in which he or she deals with the position and significance in science of the subject of the doctoral thesis and other questions of a general nature. After this statement, the opponent and the candidate sit down.
Examination
At the beginning of the examination proper, the opponent(s) generally focus(es) on the methodology and general questions, after which follows a detailed examination. The whole defence shall not exceed four hours.
Closing statement and a word of thanks
At the end of the examination, the opponent(s) present(s) a closing statement. The candidate and the opponent(s) stand for the closing statement.
The doctoral candidate will remain standing to thank the Opponent.
Additional opponents
The candidate, remaining standing, thanks the opponent(s) and then the opponent(s) sit(s) down. The candidate turns to the audience and says: ”Esteemed audience, I ask those of you who have observations to make on the doctoral thesis here presented to kindly request the floor from the Custos.”
The Custos shall preside over the discussion by giving the floor and ensuring that the candidate has the opportunity to answer each point in turn and that the discussion remains relevant.
It is advisable that the Custos makes clear at the defence that anyone besides the opponent(s) who intend(s) to make an official observation about the doctoral thesis shall give notice of this intention at the defence, otherwise that person loses the right to make such an observation. (Any observations about the defence shall be made to the department within two weeks of the defence.)
Conclusion of the examination
The Custos shall present the thanks of the Aalto University School of Y to the opponent(s).
The Custos shall close the defence by standing and saying, ”I declare this public examination closed”.
The protagonists leave the hall in the same order as they entered, first the candidate, then the Custos and finally the opponent(s).
Other matters
Congratulations take place outside the auditorium. In remote defenses the Custos can open for online congratulations, after the official part is over.
Doctoral candidates are sometimes given flowers and gifts after the public examination. The candidate should make advance arrangements for their transportation or should agree with the guests that flowers and gifts, if any, will be delivered directly to the candidate's home.
The candidate may offer coffee and cake at the end of the event at their own expense.
- The main participants enter the auditorium at 12:15 in the following order: the respondent, the Custos (presiding official) and the opponent(s). The audience has to be in the auditorium before 12:00. The audience rises, when the main participants enter.
- The doctoral candidate, the Custos and the opponent(s) wear a dark suit, a tailcoat with a black waistcoat or a formal black dress or suit without hat. The respondent can also wear the distinctive colour of their department for example on a scarf or a tie. A foreign opponent may wear the gown of her/his own university. The Custos and the opponent(s) carry their doctor’s hat when entering and leaving the auditorium.
- When everyone is seated, the Custos opens the examination by saying: "As the Custos appointed by the Doctoral Programme Committee of the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, I declare this public examination open."
- The candidate stands up to deliver her/his introductory lecture (lectio praecursoria) which should not exceed 20 minutes. The lectio starts with the words: “Honoured Custos, honoured opponent(s), esteemed audience”. During the lectio the audience may not leave or enter the auditorium.
- No oral reference is made to the correction of misprints. But the respondent may give the opponent(s) a list of misprints which will then be attached to the written statement which the opponent submits to the Doctoral Programme Committee.
- After the lectio praecursoria the candidate addresses the opponent(s) with the words: “I ask You, honoured opponent(s) appointed by the Doctoral Programme Committee of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, to present the critical comments on the dissertation You find well-founded".
- The opponent then stands up and presents a brief statement in which they discuss the status and importance of the topic and other similar issues of a general nature. After this talk, both the opponent and the candidate seat themselves.
- Usually, the opponent first deals with methodological and general questions, and a more detailed examination follows. The opponent(s) may spend at most four hours on the examination, but two hours is customary. If the examination is likely to take a long time, the Custos may interrupt it by announcing a break.
- When the examination of the dissertation is completed the candidate and the opponent(s) rise and the opponent makes their final appraisal. Finally they will (usually) announce that they will propose to the Doctoral Programme Committee that the dissertation be accepted or not accepted.
The respondent remains standing to thank the opponent. - The respondent thanks the opponent and turns to the audience and says: "If anyone present wishes to make any comments concerning my dissertation, please ask the Custos for the floor."
- The Custos sees to it that the candidate can respond immediately to each comment and that the speakers keep to the point.
- The Custos rises and closes the proceedings by saying: “The dissertation proceedings are closed”. The proceedings may not exceed six hours, two hours is customary.
Lectio praecursoria
Introductory lecture
In the introductory lecture the respondent should explain to the audience what new or interesting the dissertation has to offer and how it is connected to the field of study and to the society in general. The lectio might, for example, present the research area and the research work, explain the research questions and the method used and the results. You may also mention the most important theoretical sources of your work and how you position yourself in your research field. You may describe the background of the dissertation, but you are not expected to give a resumé of each chapter.
Remember that the audience usually has not been able to read the dissertation, and the lectio praecursoria may be the only part of the public examination that is understandable to all the participants of the occasion. You might bring up such general questions as: What conclusions or recommendations can be made on the basis of the research and its results? How does it contribute to our worldview?
You should not thank anyone in your lecture, please explain this to your family members and friends who may not know the academic tradition and might expect it.
The length of the lecture shall not extend 20 minutes. Please read aloud your speech a couple of times beforehand, and check the time.
LINKKEJÄ TIEDOSTOIHIN?
Arrival
The audience enters the room and takes their seats before the proceedings begin. They stand up when the doctoral student, chairperson and the opponent(s) enter the room. The order of entering is this: first the student, second the chairperson and last the opponent(s). The chairperson and the opponent are requested to carry their doctor’s hat when entering and leaving the auditorium.
Opening of the examination
With the procession arrived, but the audience still standing, the chairperson opens the examination, saying "As the chairperson appointed by the Doctoral Programme Committee of the Aalto University School of Business, I declare the doctoral thesis proceedings open." After this the chairperson introduces the opponent. The audience is then seated.
Lectio praecursoria
Doctoral students stand while giving their lectio praecursoria. It may last for a maximum of twenty minutes. The presentation begins as follows: "Honored chairperson, honoured opponent(s), ladies and gentlemen." The candidate closes the initial presentation as follows: "I request that you, (professor, doctor xx), as opponent(s) appointed by the Doctoral Programme Committee of the Aalto University School of Business, present the comments you consider my doctoral thesis warrants."
Opponent's opening statement
Opponent(s) stand while making a brief statement touching upon the position of the subject of the doctoral thesis within the academic field, its significance for science and other issues of a general nature. The opponent and the doctoral student sit down.
Examination
At the beginning of the examination proper, the opponent first focuses attention on methods and general issues, and then undertakes a detailed examination. Opponents have a maximum of four hours for their examination, so that sufficient time will remain for any additional opponents. If the examination is lengthy, the chairperson may declare a recess. When the examination is finished, the opponent rises and presents the closing statement; the doctoral student stands while listening.
Additional opponents
The doctoral student stands when presenting her/his thanks to the opponent. S/he then turns to the audience and says the following: "I now urge any members of the audience with comments against my doctoral thesis to request the floor from the honourable chairperson." The chairperson presides, seeing that the doctoral student is able to respond to each comment immediately and that the speakers do not depart from the topic in question.
Conclusion of the examination
The chairperson rises and concludes the public defence, which can last no more than six hours, as follows: "The doctoral thesis proceeding is hereby concluded." As the defence comes to a conclusion, the doctoral student, the chairperson and the opponent(s) leave the auditorium in the same order and manner as they came in.
Other matters
Congratulations take place outside the auditorium. Doctoral candidates are sometimes given flowers and gifts after the public examination. The candidate should make advance arrangements for their transportation or should agree with the guests that flowers and gifts, if any, will be delivered directly to the candidate's home.
Audience etiquette for public defences
A public defence is an academic and dignified event where proper behavior is expected. The defence is chaired by the custos, usually the supervising professor of the doctoral student. The opponent is a doctor in the field of the dissertation.
The defence is an oral examination in which the opponent ensures through questions that the doctoral student has personally conducted the thesis work and can answer related questions.
There are no guidelines for the audience's dresscode at the public defence. As the defence is public, it is open to everyone. Thus, it is perfectly acceptable to attend the examination in casual clothing. However, guests invited by the doctoral student usually wear a dark suit or other more formal clothing.
If the defence is held online or the audience participates online, audience cameras and microphones of audience are turned off.
The public should arrive early before the defence will start. Latecomers will not be allowed into the hall.
The event begins when the doctoral candidate, custos, and opponent(s) (in this order) enter the hall. The audience stands up.
The custos announces the public defence opened. Everyone except the doctoral candidate sits down.
First, the doctoral candidate presents their research work to the audience. This is called lectio preacursoria and it lasts twenty minutes. After this the opponent gives an introductory speech. When the opponent finishes their introduction, both the opponent and the doctoral candidate sit down. It is customary to exit the hall only after the defence has concluded or during a possible break, but at the earliest, one may leave after the lectio.
The defence usually lasts 2–3 hours, but no more than 4 hours. The custos announces if a break will be taken.
At the end, the doctoral candidate asks if anyone present wishes to make comments related to their work. If there are comments, the custos allocates speaking turns and the doctoral candidate responds. General questions about the dissertation can be asked after the formal event.
The custos announces the conclusion of the defence. Applause is not customary at the defence.
The doctoral candidate, custos, and opponent march out first, followed by the audience.
All congratulations take place outside the hall.
Dresscode
These instructions apply to the doctoral student, the opponent(s), and the custos. The dress code instructions are also applicable in public defences organized remotely.
The doctoral student has not acquired the permission to use the doctoral hat before participating in the Ceremonial Conferment of Doctoral Degrees after the graduation.
The thesis defender, custos and opponent should all wear similar type of suit.
The opponent can also wear the ceremonial gown of their home university. If the opponent wears an academic gown, the doctoral student and the Custos shall agree whether to wear a tailcoat or dark suit.
The most common variations of the dress code are
A black tailcoat, trousers with a satin stripe down the outside seam. The coat is not buttoned up. Black waistcoat, white dress shirt, with starched front and collar. White tie, no pocket handkerchief during the day. Black socks, thin-soled shoes (not patent leather during the day). No wristwatch. Outdoor clothes: black overcoat or cape, white scarf, and white gloves.
Single- or double-breasted, dark suit (black, dark blue or dark grey suit) or tailcoat with black vest. The material may have a discreet stripe. If a waistcoat is worn, it should be of the same material as the suit or toning with it. White shirt, the tie or bow tie should be subdued and tone with the suit (not white), dark socks and thin-soled shoes.
Black suit or high-necked dress (giving the impression of being dark). No hat, gloves or obvious jewelry. Dark dress (black, dark blue or dark grey gown, jacket and skirt or trouser suit), long sleeves, no headwear.
Dress code
These instructions apply to the doctoral student, the opponents and the custos. Dress code follows the usual instructions also in public defences organized remotely.
The doctoral student, custos and opponent should all wear similar type of suit. The most common variations of the dress code are:
A tailcoat and a black waistcoat
A black tailcoat, trousers with a satin stripe down the outside seam. The coat is not buttoned up. Black waistcoat, white dress shirt, with starched front and collar. White tie, no pocket handkerchief during the day. Black socks, thin-soled shoes (not patent leather during the day). No wristwatch. Outdoor clothes: black overcoat or cape, white scarf, and white gloves.
Dark suit
Single- or double-breasted, dark suit (black, dark blue or dark grey suit) or tailcoat with black vest. The material may have a discreet stripe. If a waistcoat is worn, it should be of the same material as the suit or toning with it. White shirt, the tie or bow tie should be subdued and tone with the suit (not white), dark socks and thin-soled shoes.
A black long-sleeved / high-necked short black dress or a two-piece suit
Black suit or high-necked dress (giving the impression of being dark). No hat, gloves or obvious jewelry. Dark dress (black, dark blue or dark grey gown, jacket and skirt or trouser suit), long sleeves, no headwear.
The opponent can also wear the ceremonial gown of their home university. If the opponent wears an academic gown, the thesis defender and the Custos shall agree whether to wear a tailcoat or dark suit.
The doctoral student has not acquired the permission to use the doctoral hat before participating in the Ceremonial Conferment of Doctoral Degrees after the graduation.
Audience
There are no guidelines for the audience's dress code at the public examination. As the examination is public, it is open to everyone. Thus, it is perfectly acceptable to attend the examination in casual clothing. However, guests invited by the doctoral student usually wear a dark suit or other more formal clothing.
Post-doctoral party
The post-doctoral party marks the end of the thesis process and is arranged by the doctoral student to thank the opponent, the custos and others who contributed to the work. While it is an academic tradition, the post-doctoral party (karonkka in Finnish) is not an official university event but a private event organised by the doctoral student. It takes place in the evening of the public examination.
Even though many traditions are involved in a karonkka party, the doctoral student may follow their preferences in the arrangements.
In the following, some traditions related to the post-doctoral celebration are explained.
As formal decisions on the doctoral thesis are not made until the conclusion of the public examination, invitations to the post-doctoral party were traditionally not sent in advance. Nowadays, however, the doctoral student sends invitations in advance. Permission to defend the thesis in a public examination, given by the Doctoral Programme Committee, is sufficient indication of the quality of the thesis.
The doctoral student formulates the wording of the invitations, but it is recommended that the invitations contain information on the dress code.
In addition to the opponent, the custos and co-authors of the publications of the thesis, the invitees to the post-doctoral party may include professors working in the field of the thesis and others who have aided in the thesis work. The doctoral student's companion, parents and close friends are usually included in the guest list. However, the karonkka is not a family party.
The post-doctoral party may be arranged at home, in a restaurant or in the facilities of a student association (osakunta) or the department of the doctoral student.
Traditional dress code is a tailcoat and a white waistcoat (a black waistcoat at the public examination), or an evening dress, which should be black at least in case of the thesis defender. The traditional colour used in academic celebrations is black, but other colours have also become common.
It is up to the thesis defender to choose a dress code that differs from traditions. Don't forget to mention the dress code in the invitation.
The doctoral student is the host of the party. The opponent is the guest of honour and is seated immediately to the right of the doctoral student. The next guest in the seating order is the custos, seated to the left of or opposite the doctoral student. Traditionally other guests are seated in the order of their academic achievement.
The doctoral student offers food, drinks and possibly other forms of entertainment to the guests invited to the post-doctoral party.
Speeches are a relevant part of the party. They are given after the meal before the coffee has been served. The doctoral student begins the speeches by first thanking the opponent and then the custos. After this, the student thanks everyone else who have contributed to the doctoral thesis, in the order of importance. If the doctoral student wishes to thank their family members, it is done lastly at the end of the speech.
The opponent will immediately reply to the student’s speech. The opponent's answer is usually light-heartedly dignified rather than too solemn or formal. Next, the custos may address those present. After this, other guests may speak in the order in which they were mentioned in the doctoral student’s speech.
After the speeches, the party takes a more informal turn and the guests can enjoy the music or other programme and each others' company.