Doctoral Defence Training: Confident Presentation
After a long and intensive period of scholarly work, the doctoral defense represents a highlight in a doctoral candidate’s academic career. Specifically, this important final exam typically consists of two parts: the defensio, i.e., the candidate’s response to comments from the reviewers’ reports, and the disputatio, i.e., a presentation on a topic within the field of study.
The focus of this practical training is the disputatio: As a dress rehearsal for the presentation, all participants will give a short presentation on a specific topic of approximately 5 minutes. The rhetorical feedback will highlight, in particular, how appropriate body language, use of voice, structure, and visual aids can help convey an overall impression that is both scientifically sound and rhetorically persuasive.
Therefore, please bring a short presentation on a topic from your area of research. The closer this presentation is to the presentation you will give during your defense, the better you can prepare and the easier it will be to apply the rhetorical feedback in practice. The practical training will take place in two separate small groups in the morning and afternoon. Registration for one of these two groups will be organized by the Promotionsverband BW following the first day of the workshop. You will receive a separate email regarding this in the week following October 26.
Key Topics
- Convincing body language in presentations
- Voice and voice control
- Managing speaking stress and stage fright
- Comprehensive rhetorical feedback on presentations
Method
- Hands-on practice and rhetorical feedback
- Brief trainer input on rhetorical techniques
- Optional: Opportunity for retraining with immediate implementation of feedback
Target Group
PhD candidates in the final stages of their doctoral research
Dates (via Zoom)
Monday, 26th of October 2026, 14:00–17:15
Monday, 9th of November 2026, 1st group 9:00–12:30, 2nd group 13:30–17:30
Lecturer
Simon Wolf is a certified consultant, trainer, coach, and author. During his doctoral studies in general rhetoric and argumentation theory, he has gained experience in conference organization, chairing session, academic presentations, and publications. For over 15 years, he has been sharing this experience in training sessions for doctoral candidates and postdocs.
Crediting
Creditable as part of ‘individual academic achievements’ (individuelle Studienleistungen) in §4 doctoral regulations (Promotionsordnungen) of the respective research units. Further information on credit transfer can be found on our website ("Anrechnung").
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info(at)promotionsverband-bw.de.
