Research Support Programme - RHD Colloquium

The RHD Colloquium provides a valuable opportunity for students to present their work to an audience of faculty members and fellow students.  As of 2006, two colloquiums will be held each year (in May and November).

Students will be able to present one of three different types of presentations:

1.  Work in Progress Presentations
All LLM by Thesis, SJD and PhD candidates are invited to make a 20-30 minute presentation (10 minutes for questions and discussion) on some aspect of their thesis.  This will provide a valuable opportunity for students to discuss a part of their thesis on which they would like to obtain feedback.

2. PhD Confirmation Presentations
PhD candidates are required, as part of their Confirmation, to make a 20-30 minute presentation (10 minutes for questions and discussion) on their project towards the end of their first year of candidature (or towards the end of the second year for part time candidates)

3. PhD Completion Presentations
PhD candidates are required to present an overview of their entire thesis 3-6 months before submitting.  The presentation should include the 'objectives, methods, findings and significance' of the research.

Approximately 45 minutes will be allowed for each completion presentation plus 15 minuties for questions and discussion.  The rules for the completion seminar are set out in the PhD handbook and include the following requirements:

• The presentation must be publicly advertised.
• The candidate must provide a 100 word abstract of the thesis to facilitate publicity.
• A Review Panel will be assembled to provide feedback and report on 'the strenghts and weaknesses of the work as presented' and, where possible, to 'identify to the candidate how particular aspects of the thesis might be enhanced'.
• The candidate must provide 'a thesis summary and chapter outline to members of the Panel at least one week in advance of the presentation.  The materials should not exceed 2,000 words and should provide a brief overview of the aims and scope of the thesis and the main results'.