A defense in Spain

I was recently invited to form part of the committee for a doctoral defense in Spain, so that made for an excellent opportunity to observe the format of the doctoral defense.

A few months in advance, as the candidate was finalizing the thesis, I was asked for my willingness and availability for the defense.

Then, I received the thesis with a few weeks of time to comment on it, and fill out an evaluation form. After this evaluation and some changes, the thesis was finalized and the candidate got the OK to defend.

Around that time, I was appointed secretary of the defense committee, which meant I had the formal responsibility for the paperwork after the defense. I also had to send a formal email prior to the defense.

On the day of the defense, we first gathered with the committee to share our impressions of the work, as well as to learn more about the proceedings.

Then, the defense started with a presentation. If I recall well, it was 45 minutes in length (or 60?). Then, the committee members got time to ask questions. We had time for various questions, and, as I understood it, the main goal of the questioning was to create a high-level debate with the candidate.

After the defense, the committee stayed in the room and all participants were asked to leave while we deliberated about the grading. Once this was done, we called all back to the room, gave the result, and went for lunch with the candidate.

There were no formal rules regarding dress code or way to address the candidate, and no strict timing – which is quite different from the defense in Delft.