General
The trial lecture and public defence are led by the Dean or a representative appointed by the Dean.
The role of the chair of the public defence is to represent the faculty and to host the trial lecture and public defence. The chair is responsible for the practical execution of the trial lecture and public defence. This work is performed in cooperation with the adjudication committee’s coordinator and the faculty’s administration.
The chair must consult with the adjudication committee’s coordinator in order to clarify procedures and norms for public defences held by the faculty. The PhD dinner is a private event organized by the candidate, but it is expected that both the adjudication committee and the Dean, or his/her deputy, are invited to attend.
The chair only wears a gown during the actual public defence. See further details of the procedures for the trial lecture and public defence.
Special tasks of the chair of the public defence
- Guide the candidate and committee on procedures and norms for the trial lecture and public defence. The chair of the public defence may, within the provisions of the procedural and cultural framework, deviate from the general procedures in individual cases.
- Host a lunch in connection with the trial lecture and public defence.
- Ensure that the committee signs the necessary paperwork (records).
- Give a speech during the PhD dinner.
Before the trial lecture
The chair of the public defence meets the candidate and committee 15-20 minutes before the trial lecture begins. The chair tells them about procedures and gives details of/sets timeframes for the public defence, including the trial lecture and breaks.
Trial lecture
The chair of the public defence begins with an explanation of what will happen on the day of the public defence, and introduces the candidate and committee, as well as the topic for the trial lecture and public defence. The candidate is then invited to take his/her place at the rostrum to give the lecture on an assigned topic. The chair receives a finished text from the faculty’s administration.
Public defence
The chair of the public defence begins with a brief introduction of the candidate and committee, the topic of the trial lecture and the public defence. The first opponent and the candidate are then invited to take their place at the respective rostrums. The chair receives a finished text from the faculty’s administration.
The chair should intervene during the public defence if technical problems arise in the auditorium.
After the public defence
It is customary for the chair of the public defence to be the first person to wish the candidate luck, and to leave the auditorium.
The chair delivers his/her signed report to the faculty’s administration. When an opponent is ex auditorio, a separate sheet must be included giving their name and position.
If a small celebration is to be held by the unit after the public defence, the chair will act as host.