Prior to the public defence
The chair of the public defence meets with the candidate and the committee 15 to 20 minutes prior to the start of the defence, or for lunch if the defence starts at 13:15. The chair provides information regarding the procedures and sets the time frame for the presentations in consultation with the candidate and the opponents.
The chair of the public defence should enquire wether the candidate has knowledge of any opponents ex auditorio and if the candidate wishes to give an acceptance speech when the second opponent has concluded his or her input.
During the public defence
The chair starts the public defence by giving a brief introduction of the candidate and the thesis before the candidate starts his or her defence from the podium.
When the candidate has concluded the introduction, the chair introduces the first opponent.
When the first opponent has concluded his or her opposition, the chair , standing at his or her place, announces a break in the proceedings.
Following the break, the chair announces that any opponents ex. auditorio may register. They will then be allowed to talk following the second opponent.
The chair then introduces the second opponent.
If the candidate wants to extend thanks, she or he will do so directly following the second opponents conclusion of the opposition. The chair concludes the public defence.
The chair of the public defence should intervene if:
- the opponents exceed the timeframe by more than ten minutes (five minutes for ex auditorio opponents)
- the opponents do not allow the candidate to speak
- the use of language clearly exceeds normal custom
- the audience disturbs the public defence
Procedures for public defence(PhD)
After the public defence
In the normal course of events, the chair will be the first person to congratulate the candidate.
The report from the trial lecture and public defence
The chair must ensure the committee members sign the necessary documents before they leave. The report from the trial lecture and the public defence must be delivered to the faculty secretariat as quickly as possible. A separate page giving the name and position of the ex auditorio opponents must be enclosed with the report.
Social arrangements
If the public defence starts at 13:15, it might be appropriate for the candidate, the committee and the chair to meet for lunch at 12:00 noon. If the public defence starts at 09:15 it might be appropriate to meet for lunch just after the public defence is concluded.
If there is a doctorate dinner, it is normal for the chair of the public defence to give a speech.