Private PhD defence

On the 7th October I passed my private PhD defence at EPFL. This was the oral examination that is the official decider on whether a PhD candidate will be awarded their PhD.

At EPFL the exam is held in private, just the candidate and a jury panel. My panel included three experts — two external and one from the university — as well as my supervisor and a "president of the jury" who is an EPFL professor who ensures the rules are abided by. I gave a half-an-hour presentation, and then there were questions and discussion for more than an hour. It went extremely well and I will receive my PhD!

The last step of the process will be a public defence in which I can explain my research to friends, family, and anyone else who is interested. It's at this public defence that I will officially be awarded my doctorate.