152. Listen To This If… You’re preparing for your thesis oral defence

Let's Talk SciComm · Sep 10, 2026 · 6m

Preparing for your thesis oral defence (the viva, the oral exam, whatever it's called in your neck of the woods) and quietly dreading it? In this short episode, Jen and Michael reframe the whole experience: your defence isn't an interrogation, it's a conversation between engaged and curious colleagues welcoming you into the field, not with adversaries who are hunting for holes. They share practical ways to prepare - knowing your discussion section inside out, planning honest and non-defensive answers to the questions you're dreading, and being upfront that every piece of research has its…