Surviving the confirmation process: A practical guide Dr Stephen Harrington

Today: A practical guide (ties in with my "8 Tips...") The entire confirmation process. Broken down into 6 stages...

The 6 stages of confirmation: "The lead-up" "The write-up" "The stand-up" "The wait-up" "The big-up" "The follow-up"

1: "The Lead-Up" Starts the moment you successfully complete the Stage 2 process. Plan well in advance. Understand what is involved. Attend other confirmation seminars, view other confirmation documents.

Plan a date well in advance. Don't put it off if you don't have to. Don't over-read. Plan carefully with your supervisors. Start the writing process early... 1: "The Lead-Up"

2: "The Write-Up" Not a distinct phase, as such. Vital element in the confirmation process. Should be very well-developed. Topic/scope should be very clearly defined...

What your confirmation document needs to demonstrate: 1.A clearly defined topic/research question(s). 2.A very good understanding of the field, and previous research. 3.A gap in the existing research; and, 4.A clear plan of how you are going to fill it. 2: "The Write-Up"

Clarity of focus is vital. Time for an exercise! Task: Write a 4 sentence summary of your thesis topic and methods. 2: "The Write-Up"

3: "The Stand-Up" Don't be nervous! A chance to share your interests with others. Is a public seminar. Invite friends and family. This is a very different genre/task to the confirmation document...

This requires you to speak to a very different audience. Summary of the confirmation document, for a layperson. Time for an exercise! Task: Write a 2 sentence summary of your thesis topic and methods, that anyone can understand. 3: "The Stand-Up"

Be well-prepared. Don't read from a script. Keep to the allocated time! Try to anticipate possible questions. Answer them honestly, if possible. 3: "The Stand-Up"

4: "The Wait Up" Stand around nervously. Relax. :) Do something to fill-in the time! Thank people for coming, follow-up with good/incisive questions.

5: "The Big-Up" More often than not, positive feedback! Listen carefully to the panel's advice. Use the opportunity to ask questions, seek further information/feedback. See any criticism as a useful chance for improvement.

6: "The Follow-Up" The most important phase of all. How you respond to the process, and let it feed back into your work. Especially if your confirmation is not Immediately successful. Engage the panel members on an ongoing basis, if possible.

Conclusion: Stay calm. The entire process exists for your benefit. Usually very positive experience. But, only if approached in the right spirit. You can do it!

Questions?