history dissertation defense

Defending Your Dissertation: A Guide

Written by Luke Wink-Moran | Photo by insta_photos

Dissertation defenses are daunting, and no wonder; it’s not a “dissertation discussion,” or a “dissertation dialogue.” The name alone implies that the dissertation you’ve spent the last x number of years working on is subject to attack. And if you don’t feel trepidation for semantic reasons, you might be nervous because you don’t know what to expect. Our imaginations are great at making The Unknown scarier than reality. The good news is that you’ll find in this newsletter article experts who can shed light on what dissertations defenses are really like, and what you can do to prepare for them.

The first thing you should know is that your defense has already begun. It started the minute you began working on your dissertation— maybe even in some of the classes you took beforehand that helped you formulate your ideas. This, according to Dr. Celeste Atkins, is why it’s so important to identify a good mentor early in graduate school.

“To me,” noted Dr. Atkins, who wrote her dissertation on how sociology faculty from traditionally marginalized backgrounds teach about privilege and inequality, “the most important part of the doctoral journey was finding an advisor who understood and supported what I wanted from my education and who was willing to challenge me and push me, while not delaying me.  I would encourage future PhDs to really take the time to get to know the faculty before choosing an advisor and to make sure that the members of their committee work well together.”

Your advisor will be the one who helps you refine arguments and strengthen your work so that by the time it reaches your dissertation committee, it’s ready. Next comes the writing process, which many students have said was the hardest part of their PhD. I’ve included this section on the writing process because this is where you’ll create all the material you’ll present during your defense, so it’s important to navigate it successfully. The writing process is intellectually grueling, it eats time and energy, and it’s where many students find themselves paddling frantically to avoid languishing in the “All-But-Dissertation” doldrums. The writing process is also likely to encroach on other parts of your life. For instance, Dr. Cynthia Trejo wrote her dissertation on college preparation for Latin American students while caring for a twelve-year-old, two adult children, and her aging parents—in the middle of a pandemic. When I asked Dr. Trejo how she did this, she replied:

“I don’t take the privilege of education for granted. My son knew I got up at 4:00 a.m. every morning, even on weekends, even on holidays; and it’s a blessing that he’s seen that work ethic and that dedication and the end result.”

Importantly, Dr. Trejo also exercised regularly and joined several online writing groups at UArizona. She mobilized her support network— her partner, parents, and even friends from high school to help care for her son.

The challenges you face during the writing process can vary by discipline. Jessika Iwanski is an MD/PhD student who in 2022 defended her dissertation on genetic mutations in sarcomeric proteins that lead to severe, neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy. She described her writing experience as “an intricate process of balancing many things at once with a deadline (defense day) that seems to be creeping up faster and faster— finishing up experiments, drafting the dissertation, preparing your presentation, filling out all the necessary documents for your defense and also, for MD/PhD students, beginning to reintegrate into the clinical world (reviewing your clinical knowledge and skill sets)!”

But no matter what your unique challenges are, writing a dissertation can take a toll on your mental health. Almost every student I spoke with said they saw a therapist and found their sessions enormously helpful. They also looked to the people in their lives for support. Dr. Betsy Labiner, who wrote her dissertation on Interiority, Truth, and Violence in Early Modern Drama, recommended, “Keep your loved ones close! This is so hard – the dissertation lends itself to isolation, especially in the final stages. Plus, a huge number of your family and friends simply won’t understand what you’re going through. But they love you and want to help and are great for getting you out of your head and into a space where you can enjoy life even when you feel like your dissertation is a flaming heap of trash.”

While you might sometimes feel like your dissertation is a flaming heap of trash, remember: a) no it’s not, you brilliant scholar, and b) the best dissertations aren’t necessarily perfect dissertations. According to Dr. Trejo, “The best dissertation is a done dissertation.” So don’t get hung up on perfecting every detail of your work. Think of your dissertation as a long-form assignment that you need to finish in order to move onto the next stage of your career. Many students continue revising after graduation and submit their work for publication or other professional objectives.

When you do finish writing your dissertation, it’s time to schedule your defense and invite friends and family to the part of the exam that’s open to the public. When that moment comes, how do you prepare to present your work and field questions about it?

“I reread my dissertation in full in one sitting,” said Dr. Labiner. “During all my time writing it, I’d never read more than one complete chapter at a time! It was a huge confidence boost to read my work in full and realize that I had produced a compelling, engaging, original argument.”

There are many other ways to prepare: create presentation slides and practice presenting them to friends or alone; think of questions you might be asked and answer them; think about what you want to wear or where you might want to sit (if you’re presenting on Zoom) that might give you a confidence boost. Iwanksi practiced presenting with her mentor and reviewed current papers to anticipate what questions her committee might ask.  If you want to really get in the zone, you can emulate Dr. Labiner and do a full dress rehearsal on Zoom the day before your defense.

But no matter what you do, you’ll still be nervous:

“I had a sense of the logistics, the timing, and so on, but I didn’t really have clear expectations outside of the structure. It was a sort of nebulous three hours in which I expected to be nauseatingly terrified,” recalled Dr. Labiner.

“I expected it to be terrifying, with lots of difficult questions and constructive criticism/comments given,” agreed Iwanski.

“I expected it to be very scary,” said Dr. Trejo.

“I expected it to be like I was on trial, and I’d have to defend myself and prove I deserved a PhD,” said Dr Atkins.

And, eventually, inexorably, it will be time to present.  

“It was actually very enjoyable” said Iwanski. “It was more of a celebration of years of work put into this project—not only by me but by my mentor, colleagues, lab members and collaborators! I felt very supported by all my committee members and, rather than it being a rapid fire of questions, it was more of a scientific discussion amongst colleagues who are passionate about heart disease and muscle biology.”

“I was anxious right when I logged on to the Zoom call for it,” said Dr. Labiner, “but I was blown away by the number of family and friends that showed up to support me. I had invited a lot of people who I didn’t at all think would come, but every single person I invited was there! Having about 40 guests – many of them joining from different states and several from different countries! – made me feel so loved and celebrated that my nerves were steadied very quickly. It also helped me go into ‘teaching mode’ about my work, so it felt like getting to lead a seminar on my most favorite literature.”

“In reality, my dissertation defense was similar to presenting at an academic conference,” said Dr. Atkins. “I went over my research in a practiced and organized way, and I fielded questions from the audience.

“It was a celebration and an important benchmark for me,” said Dr. Trejo. “It was a pretty happy day. Like the punctuation at the end of your sentence: this sentence is done; this journey is done. You can start the next sentence.”

If you want to learn more about dissertations in your own discipline, don’t hesitate to reach out to graduates from your program and ask them about their experiences. If you’d like to avail yourself of some of the resources that helped students in this article while they wrote and defended their dissertations, check out these links:

The Graduate Writing Lab

https://thinktank.arizona.edu/writing-center/graduate-writing-lab

The Writing Skills Improvement Program

https://wsip.arizona.edu

Campus Health Counseling and Psych Services

https://caps.arizona.edu

https://www.scribbr.com/

• Utility Menu

• Dissertation

In consultation with the advisor, who also serves as first reader of the dissertation, students invite faculty members to join the dissertation committee, which is ordinarily formed no later than one term after the completion of the general exam. The committee is typically comprised of three readers , though a student may have as few as two or as many as four .

What is the Dissertation Committee?

The dissertation committee is composed of either three or four members, at least two of whom are ordinarily members or formal affiliates of the History Department. The adviser must be a member of the History Department.

• First Reader / Adviser: The Dissertation Committee is chaired by a member of the History Department who has been designated as the student’s adviser. The Adviser works closely with the student at all stages of the dissertation, from formulation of the topic through writing and defense.
• Second Reader: a senior or junior faculty member from the history department, or affiliated with the department as listed in the Courses of Instruction. If a student wishes to include a second reader who is not affiliated with the department, he or she submits a petition to the coordinator for approval by the director of graduate studies.
• Third Reader: may be a member of another department, faculty, or university. With the permission of the advisor and the DGS, a candidate may choose not to approach a third reader for academic reasons. If a student wishes not to have a third reader, he or she must make that decision known to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies by the end of the spring semester of their fourth year.
• Fourth Reader: optional; may be added toward the completion of the dissertation. Note: the dissertation defense committee will consist of the student's dissertation committee plus one additional member (see "Oral Defense and Defense Committee" below.)

Throughout the research and writing phase, students are urged to maintain communication with all readers, and submit chapters as they are completed to the committee as a whole.

To complete the administrative process of forming the committee, students submit the dissertation committee form to the coordinator. The form requires the signatures of each reader, so please begin collecting signatures as soon as possible.

Changes to the Dissertation Committee

After establishing a dissertation committee, a student may choose to replace a reader. This decision should be made after careful consideration and consultation with his or her advisor. The student should initiate discussions with the current and potential reader; and it is important there should be no ambiguity about the new reader’s agreement to serve on the Committee. The Graduate Coordinator, once notified, will update the official record of committee names.

Oral Defense and the Defense Committee

Students defend their dissertation before it is approved by the  dissertation defense committee .* The defense committee consists of the student’s dissertation committee plus one additional member drawn from the History Department, another Harvard department, or outside the University. Prior to the oral defense, each member of the defense committee may write a detailed report on the dissertation, but this is not required. The defense itself should last approximately two hours. It is open to the intellectual community of faculty and graduate students as well as friends and family of the candidate. Once the dissertation has been successfully defended, the members of the  defense committee  sign the dissertation acceptance certificate, and append their reports to it.

Defense Deadlines

The defense needs to be held before the GSAS dissertation submission deadline, and final dissertations must be submitted to the members of the Dissertation Defense Committee at least one month in advance to give them time to prepare their reports. This suggests the following timelines:

For a May Degree : Dissertation due at GSAS by mid-May . Therefore, the defense must occur no later than early May (again, with final draft submitted at least a month prior).

For a November degree : Dissertation due at GSAS by mid-September . Therefore, the defense must occur no later than early September (with final draft submitted at least a month prior).

Students can also apply for a March degree . The GSAS dissertation submission deadline for March degrees is in mid-January, which means that students aiming for the March degree will need to defend by mid-December, before the winter break.

Where do I submit my dissertation?

Online submission of the dissertation via ETD @ Harvard is required by the Graduate School. Dissertations must be received by 11:59 pm on the deadline date for the given degree period. NO EXTENSIONS TO THIS DEADLINE ARE PROVIDED.

http://www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/registration-enrollment-degrees/graduation-diplomas/phd-dissertation-submission

Dissertations should be submitted in their final format, in accordance with the guidelines listed in the Form of the PhD Dissertation booklet, and ready for publication. The Registrar’s Office will review the document for formatting compliance. Formatting errors may prevent the conferral of the degree and the student may need to apply for the next available degree period. A sample dissertation as well as the Top Ten Common Errors are provided for your convenience.

The following two surveys must be completed and completion confirmation codes provided during dissertation submission.

1. Survey of Earned Doctorates

2. GSAS Exit Survey of Postgraduate Plans

In addition to the electronic dissertation submission, an electronic copy of your signed Dissertation Acceptance Certificate must also be submitted. It must be signed by a minimum of three readers , two of whom must be members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The student name must match the legal name on file at the Registrar's Office .

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Department of History

Yale history dissertations.

During the late 1800’s, only a trickle of dissertations were submitted annually, but today, the department averages about 25 per year. See who some of those intrepid scholars were and what they wrote about by clicking on any of the years listed below.

Department of History

Doctoral dissertation.

• Ph.D. Program

The capstone, and most critical, project of the Ph.D. program is the doctoral dissertation.

The series of courses within the department dealing with professional development concludes with the dissertation prospectus seminar, which students take in the sixth semester, if they have passed their examinations.

Prospectus Seminar

The dissertation prospectus seminar provides a shared structure for the process of identifying viable dissertation projects, selecting a dissertation committee, articulating a project in the form of a prospectus, and, where appropriate, developing grant proposals based on the prospectus.

Dissertation Committee

The dissertation committee, the selection of which is a requirement of the course, consists of a director and two additional members.

Director of Graduate Studies

The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) will verify that the thesis director, who will normally also have been the supervisor of the student's major field examination, accepts the role of the student's major professor and dissertation advisor.

At the same time the DGS will nominate, with their written approval, two other professors who have been agreed upon between the dissertation director and student. In case of disagreement, the choice will be made by the department. With the consent of the dissertation director and DGS, the dissertation committee may include a person from outside the Department. This committee will be responsible for evaluating the student's detailed written proposal, to be presented no later than the end of the sixth semester, and for approving the final version of the student's dissertation.

A dissertation prospectus should be divided into the following four sections:

• historiography -- setting the proposed study in the context of the relevant historical literature
• methodology -- outlining the approach the student proposes to take
• types of sources to be examined
• significance -- the historical importance of the work and why we need such a study.

In addition, there should also be a bibliography of primary and secondary sources. If deemed unsatisfactory, the proposal may be referred back for resubmission by the end of the summer following the sixth semester. Students who have not presented their thesis proposal to their dissertation committee by the end of the summer following the sixth semester shall be considered not in good standing and may be ineligible for further financial aid from the department.

Postponement

Students must petition the department in writing for any postponement of the submission of their thesis proposal beyond the end of the sixth semester. Petitions must be accompanied by a recommendation of the student's dissertation advisor. Grounds for such an extension include protracted illness, teaching duties beyond those normally expected of second year and fifth semester students, or the discovery of unexpected difficulties with his/her thesis topic (e.g. a recently completed dissertation or book on the same subject).

Preparation and Examination

After passing the preliminary examination and obtaining approval of his/her dissertation proposal by the dissertation committee, doctoral candidates are encouraged to proceed with this research with speed and efficiency. As the research progresses, if unexpected discoveries about the nature of the sources or other unforeseen developments occur, the student and thesis director should confer in case redefinition of the topic seems necessary. During the research and writing of the thesis, it is the student's responsibility regularly to provide the thesis director with evidence of satisfactory progress towards completion. Such evidence will normally be provided in informal consultations between student and thesis director; if the student is absent from the campus, it should be provided by letter at least once each semester.

Presentation

All students will normally be expected to give a presentation before the History Workshop (or other similar group) of all or part of the dissertation (or other research).

The doctoral dissertation should be completed within four years after the student passes the preliminary examination. Exceptions to this rule will be granted only upon a written petition by the student to the Department.

A faculty member has the right to refuse to direct a thesis without stating specific reasons. However, once he or she has agreed in writing to direct a thesis, the directorship may not be relinquished unless both the student and the Department are informed of the reasons in writing. A student may ask the Department to appoint a new thesis director at any time.

If the Director Leaves

A thesis director leaving the University should state in writing whether he or she wishes to continue to direct doctoral theses already in progress. Even after leaving the University, faculty member is ordinarily expected to continue directing theses until their completion. But if the departing faculty member declines to continue the thesis direction, the student will be given every assistance in finding a new director.

Penultimate Draft

The student shall present a penultimate draft of the thesis to the Graduate Advisor no later than the fifteenth day of March in the year the student intends to graduate. The Graduate Advisor shall then distribute the thesis draft to the members of the dissertation committee, who shall have one month to prepare their evaluations. If all members of the committee agree that the thesis is acceptable, the student will then prepare a final copy and arrange for a thesis defense.

Revised Thesis

If one or more members of the committee judge the thesis to be unacceptable, the student will be asked to rewrite the thesis so as to satisfy the objections of the disapproving reader(s). If all members of the committee are then agreed that the revised thesis is acceptable, the student will then prepare a final copy and arrange for a thesis defense.

If the revised thesis is deemed unacceptable by a majority of the entire committee, it is considered rejected. If the revised thesis is deemed unsatisfactory by a minority of the committee, then the Department may decide either to overrule the objection and recommend approval of the thesis, or it may appoint a fourth reader. If the fourth reader rejects the thesis, then it is considered rejected.

In the case of rejection, the Department may decide either to permit the student to undertake a new thesis, or it may terminate the candidacy of the student.

The Final Defense (optional)

The Department expects each student to have a Final Defense with the approval of the graduate advisor, although in exceptional circumstances the director of the thesis may waive the defense. The defense will normally be conducted by the dissertation director, the readers of the dissertation, and the Dean of the Graduate School or his/her representatives. If the candidate so wishes, other graduate students may attend and participate in the discussion.

The defense will focus on the problems and potentialities of the thesis. Its purpose is to provide a forum not for approving the thesis (which has already been done) but for a general discussion of the thesis as a contribution to knowledge for the benefit of the candidate.

Dissertation Defense Information Form

Complete and submit to  Julissa Bautista  by March 15, or no less than 1 month in advance of your planned defense date.

Dissertation Defense Information Form (PDF)

Additional Dissertation Information

Grievance procedures and appeals, brown graduate school dissertation guidelines, additional ph.d. information, fields of study, funding and financial aid.

Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs

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Dissertation defense, university graduate school announcements.

According to Official University Policy (380.030), a dissertation is a formal and systematic discourse or treatise advancing an original point of view as a result of research. The dissertation defense announcement is an invitation to members of the University community to observe and participate in the defense, thus the defense must be held on a business day during the regular term. The defense must occur at the time, date and place of the announcement and all committee members must be in attendance. Upcoming Dissertation Defense Announcements will be posted here.

Scheduled PhD defenses

Phd defenses 2024.

" Crossing the Atlantic: The Impact of the Anglo-American Antislavery Relationship on the American Abolition Movement " by Kathrine Faircloth Griffin

• Start: June 28, 2024, at Noon.   Major Professor: Dr. Jenna Gibbs
• Location: MMC, SIPA II 301

" Beyond the Surface: Early American Patriotic Material Culture, 1780-1865 " by Megan Scallan Melvin

• Start: June 28, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.   Major Professor: Dr. Kirsten Wood

" Between Ink and Power: The Politics of Cuba's National Press in the Late Republic (1940-1958) " by Richard Denis

• Start: June 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.   Major Professor: Dr. Michael J. Bustamante
• Location: MMC, SIPA II 343

" Hacking the Law: Enslaved Litigation, Freedom and the Digital Archives in Late Colonial New Granada, 1760-1810 " by Tabithia Kay Kendara Holman

• Start: March 29, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.   Major Professor: Dr. Bianca Premo

PhD Defenses 2023

" Between Disgust and Pride: The Homosexual Subject During the Criminalization of Homosexual Sex in Urban Colombia (1936-1980) " by Hector Valero Lopez

• Start: June 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.  Major Professor: Dr. Victor Uribe-Uran
• Location:  MMC, DM 370

" Anti-Germanism in the American Southeast During World War I " by William B. Gonzalez

• Start: June 26, 2023, at 11:30 a.m.  Major Professor : Dr. Gwyn Davies
• Location: MMC, DM 370

PhD Defenses 2022

" Vanguards of Liberation: Progressive Catholicism, the Student Movement, and Political Culture in Latin America, 1960-1973 " by Sandra Milena Londono-Ardila

• Start: November 10, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.  Major Professors : Dr. Ana Maria Bidegain and Dr. Victor Uribe-Urán

" Twice Enslaved: African Slavery in the Colonial Florida Indian Trade " by Clinton Hough

• Start: October 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.  Major Professor : Dr. Kenneth Lipartito

Beyond Honor: Historizicing Sexual Coercion in Late Colonial Lima, 1750-1821 " by Morgan Gray.

• Start:  June 23, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.  Major Professor : Dr. Bianca Premo

The Unusual Suspects: The Bourbon Reforms and The Inter- and Intracolonial Mobility of Africans and Their Descendants in The Spanish Caribbean " by Trevor E. Bryant.

• Start : June 21, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.  Major Professor: Dr. Bianca Premo
• Location : MMC, DM 370

PhD Defenses 2021

" Atlantic Legacies: Free Women of Color and the Changing Notions of Womanhood in the Long Nineteenth Century " by Marie Stephanie Chancy

• Start : September 3, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Major Professor: Dr. Rebecca Friedman
• Location : MMC, DM 370 & Online, via Zoom

We Have the Land Titles.” Indigenous Litigants and Privatization of Resguardos in Colombia, 1870s-1940s " by Gloria Patricia Lopera Mesa

• Start : June 10, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Major Professor: Dr. Victor Uribe-Uran

Our Representative on This Island: Local Belonging and Transnational Citizenship among Syrian and Lebanese Cubans, 1880-1980 " by John Ermer

• Start : June 16, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Major Professor: Dr. Bianca Premo
• Location : Online, via Zoom

The Doctrine of the People’s Republic and the Development of the Archetype of the Eastern European Leader: A Study of the Relationship Between Georgi Dimitrov and Joseph Stalin " by Deyan Peykov

• Start : March 26, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Major Professor: Dr. Rebecca Friedman

PhD Defenses 2019

Charles A. Dana, the Civil War Era, and American Republicanism " by Eric Rivas

• Start : November 8, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Major Professor: Dr. Gwyn Davies
• Location : Florida International University MMC, Deuxieme Maison building. Room: DM 370

Black and White Notes: Segregation, Urban Renewal, and Integration Through Pittsburgh's Locals 60 and 471. " by Nathan J. Seeley

• Start : October 30, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Major Professor: Dr. Kirsten Wood

Manufacturing Sin on the Frontier of Heresy: Bishops, Franciscans, and the Inquisition in Cuba During the Long Sixteenth Century, 1511-1611. " by Leonardo Falcon

• Start : October 11, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. Major Professor: Dr. Sherry Johnson

Fighting Rebellion, Criminalizing Dissent: Governmental Responses to Political Criminality in Mexico and Colombia, 1870s-1910s " by Adrian Alzate Garcia

• Start : March 20, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Major Professor: Dr. Victor Uribe
• Location : Florida International University MMC, Deuxieme Maison building. Room: DM 358

PhD Defenses 2018

"Shades of Liberalism: Lawyers and social, political and legal transformations in nineteenth century Cuba" by Ricardo Pelegrín Taboada

• Start : November 15, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Major Professor: Dr. Victor Uribe

"The Racial Equation: Pan-Atlantic Eugenics, Race, and Colonialism In The Early Twentieth Century British Caribbean" by Christopher Davis

• Start : November 2, 2018 at 2:15 p.m. Major Professor: Dr. Okezi Otovo

"Britain Can Take It: Chemical Warfare and the Origins of Civil Defense in Great Britain, 1915-1945" by Jordan Malfoy

• Start : March 7, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Major Professor: Dr. Gwyn Davies

"Pennsylvania's Loyalists and Disaffected in the Age of Revolution: Defining the Terrain of Reintegration, 1765-1800" by René José Silva

• Start : March 19, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Major Professor : Dr. Kirsten Wood
• Location : Florida International University, MMC, Deuxieme Maison building. Room: DM 370

"Developing Medicine: Cuba, Modernization, and Public Health, 1898 - 1945 " by Jessica Allison

• Start : March 26. 2018 at 12 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Major Professor : Dr. Noble David Cook
• Location : Florida International University MMC, Deuxieme Maison building. Room: DM 445

"Born in the U.S.A. / Made in the G.D.R.: Anglo-American Popular Music and the Westernization of a Communist Record Market" by Sven Kube

• Start : March 29, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Major Professors : Dr. Kenneth Lipartito, Dr. Jenna Gibbs
• Location : Florida International University, Deuxieme Maison building. Room: DM 370

PhD Defenses 2017

"Reading Spaces: Nation and Popular Learning in Nineteenth-Century Lima" by Gracia G. Solis

• Start : November 15, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. Co-Major Professor: Dr. Bianca Premo & Dr. Victor Uribe
• Location : Florida International University MMC, Deuxieme Maison building. Room: DM 353

"The Bible Against American Slavery: Anglophone Transatlantic Evangelical Abolitionists’ use of Biblical Arguments, 1776-1865" by Ricardo Rodriguez

• Start : November 15, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. Major Professor: Dr. Jenna Gibbs
• Location :Florida International University MMC, SIPA, Room: DM 335

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College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Department of History

Dissertation defense.

The following is basic information to prepare for your doctoral dissertation defense. Please see the Graduate School Website for more extensive information: https://grad.uconn.edu/enrollment-services/doctoral-degree-program/dissertation-information/

For planning purposes, please refer to the Grad calendar: http://gradcatalog.uconn.edu/grad-school-info/academic-calendar/

At LEAST Two Weeks Before:

• Submit signed Dissertation Tentative Approval Page to the Graduate School. Give a copy to the History Graduate Office for your department file.
• Email working copy of dissertation to [email protected] , and cc: your advisory committee members.  Do not submit a hard copy to the Graduate School.
• Leave a copy of your dissertation in a file in the printer room for anyone wishing to read/review it before the defense.
• Announce oral defense on the UNIVERSITY EVENTS CALENDAR
• Dissertation posters should go up around the building and a notification sent out to the department listservs.
• Three (3) original, final copies of the Report on the Final Exam for the Doctoral Degree will be given to your Major Advisor to bring to your defense. You will need a minimum of 5 examiners.
• Bring three (3) final copies of the dissertation approval page from your dissertation (printed on special paper) to be signed with original signatures only from your advisors listed on your plan of study, NOT all  of the defense examiners.

Secondary Menu

• Doctoral Dissertation

The dissertation is expected to be a mature and competent piece of writing, embodying the results of significant original research. Physical requirements for preparing a dissertation (i.e., quality of paper, format, binding, etc.) are prescribed online in the Guide for the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations ; a copy is also available in the Graduate School Office. For specific aspects of form and style, students are advised to use Kate L. Turabian's  A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations  (Eighth Edition, 2013). Special physical problems regarding preparation of dissertations should be taken up with the Assistant Dean for Student Programs.

Graduate students also have the option of submitting their dissertation electronically , to facilitate access to their work through online databases. Students must be registered at Duke during the semester in which they defend their dissertations and therefore must take their final dissertation examination while classes are in session. It is best to schedule a final examination (the so-called "thesis defense") early in the fall or spring semester. Examinations during the summer terms are almost impossible to arrange and should be avoided, if possible. Examinations between semesters are permitted only in exceptional cases.

Checklist for Doctoral Dissertation Defense

• Schedule exam during school semester; be sure to register.
• File the Intention to Receive Degree Form as required.
• Clear date and time with all members of your committee.
• Proofread your dissertation and have someone else do so.
• Provide committee with reading copies of your dissertation 2 weeks in advance.
• Format check a copy of your dissertation through the Graduate School Office several weeks in advance.
• Check with the DGSA that the Final Exam Form has been sent to the Graduate School a week ahead.
• Pick up Final Exam Certificate from the Graduate School and bring it to the defense.
• Come to exam with enough sleep and earn a clear pass.
• Have committee sign Exam Form, Dissertations, Abstracts .
• Return the original Exam Form to the Graduate School, and bring a copy of the form DGS office.
• Make corrections and submit 3 dissertation copies and abstracts.
• Pay for microfilming, binding, & (optional) copyrighting.
• Have brilliant academic career. Cover Duke with reflected glory.

Process, Forms & Procedures

The supervisory committee for the dissertation usually consists of four faculty, though a committee of five faculty is strongly recommended.  The committee must always have at least two regular History faculty, including the primary advisor, and a majority of its members must be Duke University faculty members .  The committee is chaired by the primary advisor, the person most involved in advising a student's research. If necessary, the committee may vary somewhat from the one that oversees preliminary certification, but changes must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and the Graduate School at least 30 days before the examination.

Continuing members of the committee will have a copy of the dissertation prospectus from the oral phase of the preliminary examination. New members should be given a copy as soon as they join the committee. All committee members should be given subsequent revisions of the prospectus and kept informed about the progress of research and writing. The exact use a student makes of the members of this committee will depend on the committee members' availability and the student's needs. Each professor and student works out this relationship in a different way.

External Sources

Within the discipline of History, funding needs and opportunities vary widely. While foreign research is more expensive than most U.S. history work, there tend to be more funding prospects. Students who plan extended overseas research should familiarize themselves with specific opportunities. Advisors and committee members can help with this, as can more advanced graduate students and professors in other disciplines. A bulletin board in the Graduate Lounge displays funding opportunities, but students should also check with the Office of Research Support.

There are diverse foundation and government programs available but many of them are obscure. The dissertation prospectus can sometimes function as the core for a grant application. In searching out prospects, a student should consider all the different categories into which their research might fit in terms of chronology (e.g. Renaissance Studies), geography (e.g. Asian Studies), subject (e.g. Slavery Studies), or methodology (e.g. Medical History), as well as categories into which they themselves might fit that could qualify them for a fellowship (e.g. as an alumna/alumnus of a particular university).

Internal Sources

The Duke Graduate School has an annual program of awards and doctoral candidates in History. However, the resources are limited and the competition is very keen. The number and size of these awards vary slightly from year to year. The most recent information can be found at the Graduate School's Financial Assistance webpage. Other awards are made within the University and opportunities based in other departments where history graduate students are eligible may exist. Watch messages from the DGSA and the DGS, and from the Graduate School and other units of the university.

The History Department administers the Anne F. Scott History Research Travel Award, which is given to several recipients each spring to cover research expenses, such as travel. Applications are open to Duke Undergraduates and graduate students engaged in research relating to women's history. Notice of the competition is circulated by the History Department. Awards range from $200 to $3000.

Each year, the History Department also offers a special teaching stipend to an advanced graduate student to allow them to teach an undergraduate class as Instructor of Record in the field of military history, that is, the historical study of the military, war, and society. The stipend covers the salary for a student serving as Instructor of Record.

Selection Procedures

The Graduate School's selection procedures and schedule change slightly each year, but the following general rules apply to fellowships administered through the Graduate School:

• Nominations must come through the Department (the dates vary) so the application process is coordinated through the DGS office.
• The DGS Office will inform advisors and students of relevant nomination deadlines, and students are urged to watch carefully for these notices and remind their advisors of them.
• Depending on the fellowship, the department either ranks the applicants or makes nominations. For the most prestigious awards, the department is limited in the number of students it can recommend (usually to two). Either the DGS or the faculty members of the Graduate Committee prepare rankings and nominations.
• The DGS and DGSA usually ask students to submit applications several weeks in advance of the Graduate School deadline to facilitate the departmental selection process. Usually, students submit to the DGS and DGSA the documentation requested for the specific award, addressed to the Dean of the Graduate School, describing in some detail the nature of their work and the need for support. Keep in mind that this documentation will first be used by the DGS and the Graduate Committee to determine which students go forward to the Graduate School, and then will go forward to the Graduate School where a committee of non-historians will appraise applications from across the university. As always, write clearly and proof read well.
• Faculty nominators should be aware that their supporting letters will be read by informed, interested non-historians. Brief letters of mild support do not help much nor do letters that are too long. Recently the Graduate School has strongly urged a limit of one page for all recommendations.
• Once the Department has selected its nominees, the Graduate Committee will let them know if specific revisions would be helpful or necessary for the competition.

From time to time other awards are made within the University and it is important to keep an eye out for opportunities based in other departments where history graduate students are eligible. A bulletin board in the lounge and e-mails to the graduate student listserv announce some options that come to the attention of the DGS, but informal grapevines and networks help too.

Prior to or at the start of the semester in which a student intends to defend their completed dissertation, they must file an "Intention to Receive Degree" form with the Graduate School.   Students must file the form in the specific semester they plan to receive their degree. Forms are not transferrable so if plans change and a student is unable to finish, they will need to complete the same form again for the semester they plan to receive their degree in.

For the most current information on deadlines please follow the link below here: https://gradschool.duke.edu/academics/graduation-information-and-deadlines/

The DGS office is required to submit a formal defense announcement to the Graduate School Office at least a full week before the scheduled examination. This notice includes the student's name, dissertation title, and the names of the committee members, as well as the time, place, and date of the exam as agreed upon by the student, the primary advisor, and the committee.

Final Milestone Examination Certificate

A few days before your defense, The Graduate School will generate your final examination certificate and email it to the chair/co-chair(s) of your examination committee and the DGSA of your department.  Note:  For students in School of Medicine Ph.D. programs, their final examination certificates are generated and released through T3.

Most dissertation advisors will want to see chapters as they are drafted and a student should have at least one other committee member read parts of the early drafts as well. The process for commentary and feedback will differ with each dissertation and students should work with their advisors and committee, and when necessary the DGS, to be sure they receive the counsel they need.

A copy of the finished dissertation – complete with table of contents, full citations, page numbers, and bibliography – should be given to each member of the dissertation committee at least two weeks before the final examination. It is important that students provide their thesis to the committee to allow members time to carefully go through it. Given their other obligations, the sooner committee members have access to the student's work, and the better shape it is in when they receive it, the more the student can expect in the way of productive feedback.

The dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate School office at least 14 days before the scheduled final examination and no later than 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date. It should be accompanied by a 350-word abstract; the abstract will later be sent with the dissertation for microfilming to be printed in Dissertation Abstracts International.

Defense Process

The final examination is normally administered by the supervising committee of five members, though a four-member committee is permissible if the primary advisor is present. Only two members of a dissertation examination committee may participate by telephone; that member may not be the chair. The DGS must obtain the permission of the Senior Associate Dean for remote participation at least a week before the oral exam. This oral exam lasts between two and three hours. Since this is a public defense, other persons may attend to listen but they should notify both the student and the chairperson in advance. Questions and discussion concentrate primarily on the dissertation; however, the committee may also ask questions that relate broadly to the major field of study.

Once the exam is over, the candidate and any guests will be asked to leave so the committee can discuss the exam and vote by written ballot as required. If all of the members vote affirmatively, they sign their names on at least the first and second copies of the dissertation and on the title page of the original copy of the abstract, signifying the abstract is suitable for publication. The easiest and least confusing procedure if for the committee member to sign all of the copies. They then sign the final examination certificate, which is returned signed to the student who should promptly turn in to the Graduate Studies Office.

Four of five (or four of four) affirmative votes of those present – including the main supervisor – constitute a pass. The Graduate School Bulletin states that "A student who fails the final examination may be allowed to take it a second time, but no earlier than six months from the date of the first examination. Permission to take the second examination must be obtained from the professor who directed the dissertation and from the Dean of the Graduate School. Failure to pass the second examination renders the student ineligible to continue work for the Ph.D. exam at Duke University."

Revising and Correcting the Dissertation

The committee may accept the dissertation on the understanding that the student will make minor revisions and corrections to be reviewed and approved by their advisor before the dissertation is deposited with the Graduate School. In this case, they will sign the exam certificate and the abstract sheets and dissertation signature pages. The student will then have up to 30 days after the examination to make the requested changes and improvements.

NOTE: this 30-day period for corrections cannot be granted when there are fewer than 30 days left in the semester. In such cases you must check with the Graduate School to determine the deadline for submitting the completed dissertation.

Depositing the Dissertation

After passing the final examination, and making any necessary corrections and improvements, a student takes the original and first two copies (three sets in all) of the finished dissertation, with 3 abstracts signed by the committee, to the Graduate School office.

At this time the student will be required to sign a microfilming agreement and to pay a fee to cover microfilming costs. Duke dissertations are published on microfilm by University Microfilms (Ann Arbor, MI). At this time the student will also be required to pay to have the original and two copies of the dissertation bound in black covers with gold lettering on the spine. The original and one copy go on file in Perkins Library; the other copy goes to your dissertation advisor. Additional copies may be bound through the Duke Bookstore in the Bryan Center. The student may also pay to copyright their dissertation at this time; this is optional but recommended.

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How to prepare an excellent thesis defense

What is a thesis defense?

How long is a thesis defense, what happens at a thesis defense, your presentation, questions from the committee, 6 tips to help you prepare for your thesis defense, 1. anticipate questions and prepare for them, 2. dress for success, 3. ask for help, as needed, 4. have a backup plan, 5. prepare for the possibility that you might not know an answer, 6. de-stress before, during, and after, frequently asked questions about preparing an excellent thesis defense, related articles.

If you're about to complete, or have ever completed a graduate degree, you have most likely come across the term "thesis defense." In many countries, to finish a graduate degree, you have to write a thesis .

A thesis is a large paper, or multi-chapter work, based on a topic relating to your field of study.

Once you hand in your thesis, you will be assigned a date to defend your work. Your thesis defense meeting usually consists of you and a committee of two or more professors working in your program. It may also include other people, like professionals from other colleges or those who are working in your field.

During your thesis defense, you will be asked questions about your work. The main purpose of your thesis defense is for the committee to make sure that you actually understand your field and focus area.

The questions are usually open-ended and require the student to think critically about their work. By the time of your thesis defense, your paper has already been evaluated. The questions asked are not designed so that you actually have to aggressively "defend" your work; often, your thesis defense is more of a formality required so that you can get your degree.

• Check with your department about requirements and timing.
• Re-read your thesis.
• Anticipate questions and prepare for them.
• Create a back-up plan to deal with technology hiccups.
• Plan de-stressing activities both before, and after, your defense.

How long your oral thesis defense is depends largely on the institution and requirements of your degree. It is best to consult your department or institution about this. In general, a thesis defense may take only 20 minutes, but it may also take two hours or more. The length also depends on how much time is allocated to the presentation and questioning part.

Tip: Check with your department or institution as soon as possible to determine the approved length for a thesis defense.

First of all, be aware that a thesis defense varies from country to country. This is just a general overview, but a thesis defense can take many different formats. Some are closed, others are public defenses. Some take place with two committee members, some with more examiners.

The same goes for the length of your thesis defense, as mentioned above. The most important first step for you is to clarify with your department what the structure of your thesis defense will look like. In general, your thesis defense will include:

• your presentation of around 20-30 minutes
• questions from the committee
• questions from the audience (if the defense is public and the department allows it)

You might have to give a presentation, often with Powerpoint, Google slides, or Keynote slides. Make sure to prepare an appropriate amount of slides. A general rule is to use about 10 slides for a 20-minute presentation.

But that also depends on your specific topic and the way you present. The good news is that there will be plenty of time ahead of your thesis defense to prepare your slides and practice your presentation alone and in front of friends or family.

Tip: Practice delivering your thesis presentation in front of family, friends, or colleagues.

You can prepare your slides by using information from your thesis' first chapter (the overview of your thesis) as a framework or outline. Substantive information in your thesis should correspond with your slides.

Make sure your slides are of good quality— both in terms of the integrity of the information and the appearance. If you need more help with how to prepare your presentation slides, both the ASQ Higher Education Brief and James Hayton have good guidelines on the topic.

The committee will ask questions about your work after you finish your presentation. The questions will most likely be about the core content of your thesis, such as what you learned from the study you conducted. They may also ask you to summarize certain findings and to discuss how your work will contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

Tip: Read your entire thesis in preparation of the questions, so you have a refreshed perspective on your work.

While you are preparing, you can create a list of possible questions and try to answer them. You can foresee many of the questions you will get by simply spending some time rereading your thesis.

Here are a few tips on how to prepare for your thesis defense:

You can absolutely prepare for most of the questions you will be asked. Read through your thesis and while you're reading it, create a list of possible questions. In addition, since you will know who will be on the committee, look at the academic expertise of the committee members. In what areas would they most likely be focused?

If possible, sit at other thesis defenses with these committee members to get a feel for how they ask and what they ask. As a graduate student, you should generally be adept at anticipating test questions, so use this advantage to gather as much information as possible before your thesis defense meeting.

Your thesis defense is a formal event, often the entire department or university is invited to participate. It signals a critical rite of passage for graduate students and faculty who have supported them throughout a long and challenging process.

While most universities don't have specific rules on how to dress for that event, do regard it with dignity and respect. This one might be a no-brainer, but know that you should dress as if you were on a job interview or delivering a paper at a conference.

It might help you deal with your stress before your thesis defense to entrust someone with the smaller but important responsibilities of your defense well ahead of schedule. This trusted person could be responsible for:

• preparing the room of the day of defense
• setting up equipment for the presentation
• preparing and distributing handouts

Technology is unpredictable. Life is too. There are no guarantees that your Powerpoint presentation will work at all or look the way it is supposed to on the big screen. We've all been there. Make sure to have a plan B for these situations. Handouts can help when technology fails, and an additional clean shirt can save the day if you have a spill.

One of the scariest aspects of the defense is the possibility of being asked a question you can't answer. While you can prepare for some questions, you can never know exactly what the committee will ask.

There will always be gaps in your knowledge. But your thesis defense is not about being perfect and knowing everything, it's about how you deal with challenging situations. You are not expected to know everything.

James Hayton writes on his blog that examiners will sometimes even ask questions they don't know the answer to, out of curiosity, or because they want to see how you think. While it is ok sometimes to just say "I don't know", he advises to try something like "I don't know, but I would think [...] because of x and y, but you would need to do [...] in order to find out.” This shows that you have the ability to think as an academic.

You will be nervous. But your examiners will expect you to be nervous. Being well prepared can help minimize your stress, but do know that your examiners have seen this many times before and are willing to help, by repeating questions, for example. Dora Farkas at finishyourthesis.com notes that it’s a myth that thesis committees are out to get you.

Two common symptoms of being nervous are talking really fast and nervous laughs. Try to slow yourself down and take a deep breath. Remember what feels like hours to you are just a few seconds in real life.

• Try meditational breathing right before your defense.
• Get plenty of exercise and sleep in the weeks prior to your defense.
• Have your clothes or other items you need ready to go the night before.
• During your defense, allow yourself to process each question before answering.
• Go to dinner with friends and family, or to a fun activity like mini-golf, after your defense.

Allow yourself to process each question, respond to it, and stop talking once you have responded. While a smile can often help dissolve a difficult situation, remember that nervous laughs can be irritating for your audience.

We all make mistakes and your thesis defense will not be perfect. However, careful preparation, mindfulness, and confidence can help you feel less stressful both before, and during, your defense.

Finally, consider planning something fun that you can look forward to after your defense.

It is completely normal to be nervous. Being well prepared can help minimize your stress, but do know that your examiners have seen this many times before and are willing to help, by repeating questions for example if needed. Slow yourself down, and take a deep breath.

Your thesis defense is not about being perfect and knowing everything, it's about how you deal with challenging situations. James Hayton writes on his blog that it is ok sometimes to just say "I don't know", but he advises to try something like "I don't know, but I would think [...] because of x and y, you would need to do [...] in order to find out".

Your Powerpoint presentation can get stuck or not look the way it is supposed to do on the big screen. It can happen and your supervisors know it. In general, handouts can always save the day when technology fails.

• Dress for success.
• Ask for help setting up.
• Have a backup plan (in case technology fails you).
• Deal with your nerves.

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History Master's Thesis Prospectus & Defense

• M.A. Thesis Prospectus Approval Form [PDF]
• Arrangements for the Oral Examination on the Dissertation/Defense Form [PDF] (CAS #7)
• Report of the Oral Thesis Examination/Dissertation Defense [PDF] (CAS #8)
• Graduate College Thesis and Dissertation Services

Students who select the thesis option must write a prospectus (or proposal) for their thesis. Doing so requires close consultation with the adviser. Students should establish a three-member thesis committee, which will read the prospectus and, eventually, the thesis itself. Usually, the committee consists of the adviser and two other faculty members in the department. If appropriate to the subject of the thesis, one faculty member from outside the History Department can serve on the thesis committee. Each member of the thesis committee must approve the prospectus in writing. An oral defense of the prospectus is not required. Once the prospectus is approved, the student should file the approval form with the department's graduate office. The student should secure approval of the prospectus no later than the end of the second semester of full-time study.

Students must defend the thesis in an oral examination. Students should arrange a date and time for the defense with each member of the committee and complete the Arrangements for the Oral Examination on the Dissertation/Defense Form [PDF] (CAS #7). Please note that the forms are grouped by college. This form must be filed with the History Department Graduate Office at least 14 days prior to the defense.

Each member of the committee must receive a draft copy of the thesis at least two weeks before the defense. There is another form to complete to report the results of the student's thesis defense: Report of the Oral Thesis Examination Form [PDF]  (CAS #8). Students should bring a copy of this form to their defense. Each member of the thesis committee must sign it. Once they have done so, please submit the form to the department's graduate office. The office will place a copy in the student's folder and send the original to the College of Arts & Sciences and the Thesis and Dissertation Services office.

In order to schedule a defense of their thesis, students must have completed the language requirement (if any) and all coursework required for the degree and have removed from their record any grades of PR (Progress) or I (Incomplete) in all courses required to graduate (other than thesis hours).

During the semester in which students plan to graduate, they must meet university deadlines for defending their M.A. thesis and submitting the final copy. Early in the semester they must apply to graduate through the Registrar's Office and pay a fee of approximately $50. There are deadlines for arranging one's defense, holding the defense, and submitting the final copy of one's thesis. See Graduate College deadlines .

The deadlines for the completion of graduate degrees are university requirements. The History Department cannot change them. Please also note that an M.A. candidate must be enrolled for at least one credit hour during the semester in which he or she graduates.

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Dissertation Proposal Defense

The Oral Prelim is usually a defense and discussion of the dissertation proposal, although some examiners may want to revisit issues from the written prelims for more elaboration. Therefore a well-developed proposal should be circulated to the primary advisor and other members of the Oral Prelim committee well before the scheduled date of the prelim. Many advisors expect to see and comment on several drafts of the proposal prior to the Oral, so these expectations should be discussed between student and advisor in advance of completion of written prelims. Students must pass all written prelim exams before taking the oral preliminary exam. All language requirements must also be fulfilled before completing the oral prelim exam.

The oral prelim is a two-hour discussion. The prelim exam committee will ordinarily be composed of at least one member of each of the student's three written prelim exam committees. It should include the dissertation advisor. The committee for the Oral Prelim must consist of at least four voting members, at least three of whom (including the chair) must be members of the Graduate Faculty and at least two of whom must also be tenured at UIUC. Departments may request the Graduate College approve the inclusion of non-Graduate Faculty members. By departmental rules, the committee must include  at least one examiner from each of the written prelims. 

During the oral prelim, the student is normally asked to leave the room at the beginning of the exam so examiners can confer about (among other things) the proposal, the need to discuss written prelims, and the order in which they will question the student and willingness to have others chime in during their “time” with related questions. The student is then usually invited to return and initiates discussion by briefly describing the topic and significance of the proposed dissertation, their work on the topic so far, and their own assessments of its strengths and weaknesses. Examiners ask questions in sequence, usually ending with the advisor/chair of the exam.  At the end of the two hours the student is asked to leave the room again so the examiners can confer on the result.  The result is conveyed orally to the student immediately, and in writing on the forms provided by the graduate secretary.

The oral prelim exam proposal must be scheduled at least three weeks in advance and cannot be approved until after the final written exam is passed. But you should begin planning the date with examiners well in advance. Students should submit the “Request for Appointment of  Preliminary/Doctoral Examination Committee” form to the Graduate Secretary, who  needs at least three weeks to order paperwork in advance of an oral prelim date, so please plan accordingly.

Once the oral prelim is passed, students will construct a dissertation committee, which must be formally constituted within a year. The dissertation committee may contain the same members as the oral prelim committee, but students may wish to alter the composition of the committee. Students constructing a dissertation committee must submit the form, "Department of History Doctoral Dissertation Committee Approval." (See Departmental Forms)

Dissertation Defense

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Jump to DSE Guide

Welcome to the sample dissertation library! Doctoral students often wonder what it's like to defend their dissertations and in this guide you will find various samples to give you an idea of what to expect when it's your turn. While not all defenses are recorded, you can use these samples to help you prepare for your own defense.

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13 Tips to Prepare for Your PhD Dissertation Defense

How well do you know your project? Years of experiments, analysis of results, and tons of literature study, leads you to how well you know your research study. And, PhD dissertation defense is a finale to your PhD years. Often, researchers question how to excel at their thesis defense and spend countless hours on it. Days, weeks, months, and probably years of practice to complete your doctorate, needs to surpass the dissertation defense hurdle.

In this article, we will discuss details of how to excel at PhD dissertation defense and list down some interesting tips to prepare for your thesis defense.

Table of Contents

What Is Dissertation Defense?

Dissertation defense or Thesis defense is an opportunity to defend your research study amidst the academic professionals who will evaluate of your academic work. While a thesis defense can sometimes be like a cross-examination session, but in reality you need not fear the thesis defense process and be well prepared.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesHaytonPhDacademy

What are the expectations of committee members.

Choosing the dissertation committee is one of the most important decision for a research student. However, putting your dissertation committee becomes easier once you understand the expectations of committee members.

The basic function of your dissertation committee is to guide you through the process of proposing, writing, and revising your dissertation. Moreover, the committee members serve as mentors, giving constructive feedback on your writing and research, also guiding your revision efforts.

The dissertation committee is usually formed once the academic coursework is completed. Furthermore, by the time you begin your dissertation research, you get acquainted to the faculty members who will serve on your dissertation committee. Ultimately, who serves on your dissertation committee depends upon you.

Some universities allow an outside expert (a former professor or academic mentor) to serve on your committee. It is advisable to choose a faculty member who knows you and your research work.

How to Choose a Dissertation Committee Member?

• Avoid popular and eminent faculty member
• Choose the one you know very well and can approach whenever you need them
• A faculty member whom you can learn from is apt.
• Members of the committee can be your future mentors, co-authors, and research collaborators. Choose them keeping your future in mind.

How to Prepare for Dissertation Defense?

1. Start Your Preparations Early

Thesis defense is not a 3 or 6 months’ exercise. Don’t wait until you have completed all your research objectives. Start your preparation well in advance, and make sure you know all the intricacies of your thesis and reasons to all the research experiments you conducted.

2. Attend Presentations by Other Candidates

Look out for open dissertation presentations at your university. In fact, you can attend open dissertation presentations at other universities too. Firstly, this will help you realize how thesis defense is not a scary process. Secondly, you will get the tricks and hacks on how other researchers are defending their thesis. Finally, you will understand why dissertation defense is necessary for the university, as well as the scientific community.

3. Take Enough Time to Prepare the Slides

Dissertation defense process harder than submitting your thesis well before the deadline. Ideally, you could start preparing the slides after finalizing your thesis. Spend more time in preparing the slides. Make sure you got the right data on the slides and rephrase your inferences, to create a logical flow to your presentation.

4. Structure the Presentation

Do not be haphazard in designing your presentation. Take time to create a good structured presentation. Furthermore, create high-quality slides which impresses the committee members. Make slides that hold your audience’s attention. Keep the presentation thorough and accurate, and use smart art to create better slides.

5. Practice Breathing Techniques

Watch a few TED talk videos and you will notice that speakers and orators are very fluent at their speech. In fact, you will not notice them taking a breath or falling short of breath. The only reason behind such effortless oratory skill is practice — practice in breathing technique.

Moreover, every speaker knows how to control their breath. Long and steady breaths are crucial. Pay attention to your breathing and slow it down. All you need I some practice prior to this moment.

6. Create an Impactful Introduction

The audience expects a lot from you. So your opening statement should enthrall the audience. Furthermore, your thesis should create an impact on the members; they should be thrilled by your thesis and the way you expose it.

The introduction answers most important questions, and most important of all “Is this presentation worth the time?” Therefore, it is important to make a good first impression , because the first few minutes sets the tone for your entire presentation.

7. Maintain Your Own List of Questions

While preparing for the presentation, make a note of all the questions that you ask yourself. Try to approach all the questions from a reader’s point of view. You could pretend like you do not know the topic and think of questions that could help you know the topic much better.

The list of questions will prepare you for the questions the members may pose while trying to understand your research. Attending other candidates’ open discussion will also help you assume the dissertation defense questions.

8. Practice Speech and Body Language

After successfully preparing your slides and practicing, you could start focusing on how you look while presenting your thesis. This exercise is not for your appearance but to know your body language and relax if need be.

Pay attention to your body language. Stand with your back straight, but relax your shoulders. The correct posture will give you the feel of self-confidence. So, observe yourself in the mirror and pay attention to movements you make.

9. Give Mock Presentation

Giving a trial defense in advance is a good practice. The most important factor for the mock defense is its similarity to your real defense, so that you get the experience that prepares for the actual defense.

10. Learn How to Handle Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes. However, it is important to carry on. Do not let the mistakes affect your thesis defense. Take a deep breath and move on to the next point.

11. Do Not Run Through the Presentation

If you are nervous, you would want to end the presentation as soon as possible. However, this situation will give rise to anxiety and you will speak too fast, skipping the essential details. Eventually, creating a fiasco of your dissertation defense .

12. Get Plenty of Rest

Out of the dissertation defense preparation points, this one is extremely important. Obviously, sleeping a day before your big event is hard, but you have to focus and go to bed early, with the clear intentions of getting the rest you deserve.

13. Visualize Yourself Defending Your Thesis

This simple exercise creates an immense impact on your self-confidence. All you have to do is visualize yourself giving a successful presentation each evening before going to sleep. Everyday till the day of your thesis defense, see yourself standing in front of the audience and going from one point to another.

This exercise takes a lot of commitment and persistence, but the results in the end are worth it. Visualization makes you see yourself doing the scary thing of defending your thesis.

If you have taken all these points into consideration, you are ready for your big day. You have worked relentlessly for your PhD degree , and you will definitely give your best in this final step.

Have you completed your thesis defense? How did you prepare for it and how was your experience throughout your dissertation defense ? Do write to us or comment below.

The tips are very useful.I will recomend it to our students.

Excellent. As a therapist trying to help a parent of a candidate, I am very impressed and thankful your concise, clear, action-oriented article. Thank you.

Thanks for your sharing. It is so good. I can learn a lot from your ideas. Hope that in my dissertation defense next time I can pass

The tips are effective. Will definitely apply them in my dissertation.

My dissertation defense is coming up in less than two weeks from now, I find this tips quite instructive, I’ll definitely apply them. Thank you so much.

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Home > CAS > History > Doctoral

Doctoral Dissertations

Submissions from 2024 2024.

The Destruction of Louisiana Wetlands: An Environmental History, 1900-2000 , Gloria H. Adams

The Perpetual Progression in the Schleswig-Holstein Duchy: History, Politics, and Religion, 1460-1864 , Christian Anthony Ahlers

Just What They Have Been Looking For: The Significance, Importance, and Journey of the Negro Motorist Green Book in the State of South Carolina and the City of Columbia in the Twentieth Century , Justice Iyana Briscoe

Herschel V. Johnson: The States Rights Unionist , William Coleman Brown

The Official POW’s Rights Beginning in the Civil War Forward: Co-Authored by Francis Lieber , Delynn Antoinette Burrell

We Are Better for Having Survived: Tejanas in World War II , Ashleigh Champagne

African, American, and Southern: The Survivors of the Clotilda and the Wanderer , Kirsten Chaney

Conventional Commanders in an Unconventional War: The U.S. Army in Vietnam 1965-1973 , Patrick Richard Eaton

Catalysts for Change: The Sacralizing Impulse of the Second Great Awakening and Its Transformative Impact on American Higher Education , Blake S. Hart

The Australian Woolen Industry; British Investment in Colonial Australia: Unraveling the Threads of Economic Development 1788-1850 , Marie Cecilia Hedrick

We Clear the Way: United States Army Combat Engineers in the Second World War's Southwest Pacific Theater, 1942-1945 , Marc C. Jeter

From Covenants to Classrooms: Uncovering the Impact of Racial Segregation on Education in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Duluth , Alexis C. Jones

The Impact of WWII and Changes Brought by the War on a Small Kentucky Community , Barry A. Kennedy

Antislavery White Supremacists and the Mistreatment of African Americans in Indiana, 1787-1870 , Mark A. King

Vietnam WACs: An Exploration of Women’s Military Service During the Sociopolitical Upheaval of the Vietnam War Era , Carmen M. Latvis

"More Nobility of Soul": Honor at the United States Naval Academy, 1845-1875 , Samuel J. Limneos

Fear, Racism, Agriculture: The Drive for Japanese Internment , Brandon James March

The Shaffer Thesis Arthur Harvey Shaffer: American Founding History and History Education , C. C. Mathis

Diverting the Mob Mentality: The Real Dam History of Las Vegas , Stephen J. Mislan

The Lone Star on Relief: The Story of the Texas Federal Writers' Project, 1935-1943 , Michael William Mitchell

The Protestant Vatican: Black Churches Involvement in The Nashville Civil Rights Movement 1865-1972 , Samuel Dingkee Momodu

Print Culture in New York: The Essence of the Benevolent Empire from 1816 to 1837 , Merritt Morgan

Harbingers of A New Age: Irish and Scots Irish Indian Fighters on the Colonial American Frontier , Christina A. Neely

America’s Favorite Fighting Frenchman: Marquis de Lafayette in American Pop Culture , Joshua Neiderhiser

Uniform Intelligence: The United States Military Liaison Mission and the Cold War 1947-1990 , Frank Christopher Ofner

Cold War Merchants and the Commercialization of Space , Sandra Jeneane Piseno

Charles Lummis: Spanish Knight-Errant , Benjamin J. Prior

The Iconography of Phrygia and the Phrygian Ethnonym as the Hypothetical Cognate of “Free” , Ava Anne Quattlebaum

"That They May Become Efficient Agents, Under God.": Antebellum Scientific Medical Education at the University of Michigan as Preparation for the Civil War , Jesse A. Roberts

Malama Aina in Hawaii: Unraveling the Legacy of the Post-World War II Land Sovereignty Movement , Rachel Lynn Sample

Our Enemy, the State: Liberty versus Power on the American Home Front during the First World War , Michael Schearer

There and Back Again: Oklahoma’s Metanarrative as a Southern State , Kenneth P. Schell

A Position of Strength: The Reagan Military Buildup and the Conventional Forces , Kevin D. Smith

Where Duty Called Them: Comparing the Lives and Civil War Service of Generals Jerome Bonaparte Robertson and his son, Felix Huston Robertson , Jerod Thomas

The Case of Slavery in Colonial Georgia: The Failure of the Trustee Period and Georgia’s Peculiar Approach to Revolution, 1732-1782 , Charles Thornton

For the Defense of Themselves and the State: Pennsylvania's Contribution to the Second Amendment and Firearms Ownership , Harris R. Zeiler

Submissions from 2023 2023

Undivided Loyalty and Unwavering Leadership: The Life and Times of David Wooster (1710-1777) , Jason Edwin Anderson

Compelling Libya: Operation El Dorado Canyon as Coercive Diplomacy and Counterterrorism , Ronald Tracy Boyd

Historical Understanding in the U.S. Constitution , Kristopher W. Chesterman

Cochran's Coup: The Legacy of Jacqueline Cochran Through Her Service with the Women's Airforce Service Pilots , Elisabeth B. Chivers

With Sand in Their Pockets: Lessons of the American Expeditionary Force’s Mobilization for the First World War , Kasey James Comstock

The Importance of the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War , Todd Alan Conn

Before Facebook and Twitter: The Online Computing Revolution of the 1980s , David Scott Cooper

Bedford Springs Resort: A Political and Social Annex of Antebellum America: 1840-1860 , Sara Grace Davis-Leonard

The Road to Armageddon: American Culture and Politics during the Late Cold War, 1970-1991 , David Lee Denham III

A Brief History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with Emphasis on the Charismatic Roots of the Race-Based Priesthood Denial , Wayne A. Denton

The Reasons for the Success of Colonial Pennsylvania Farmers , Mark V. Durfee

Building the Hill City: Internal Improvements and Political Economy in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1791-1829 , Mark Ryan Feld

The Emergence of Radical Christianity: The Mystical Dunkers, its Antecedence, Hermetical Founding, Germanic Diaspora, and its Apogee on the Frontier of Colonial America , Daniel Jason Geyer

Lying-in Transition: The Modernization and Professionalization of Childbirth in Rural Alabama 1870-1910 , Jennifer Megan Gmuca

Rangers and Rebels: The Americanization of War in the Colonial South , Garrett DeWayne Hall

The Political Evolution of Howell Cobb on the Road to Secession in Antebellum Georgia History , Kathryn M. Haney

They Tore Down the King’s Colours: How the Colonial Legal System Emboldened Resistance , Cynthia D. Hatch

French Military Tactics in the American Civil War: An Analysis of the Influence of Antoine Henri Jomini’s Principles in Two Selected Battles and a Campaign , Michele M. Hawes

Tsenacommacah’s Role in the Survival of Jamestown , Brandon J. Hewitt

The Growth of Human Capital and the Progressive Education Movement in Houston, Texas: A History of Houston Independent School District, 1876–1970 , Wesley Patrick Jackson

The History of Systemic Racism in the Texas Rangers , John E. Jordan Jr.

Coping with Adversity and Trauma in War: The Perseverance of Alabamian Confederate Soldiers in the American Civil War , Charles Henry Lahmon

Thomas Jefferson: Slavery, Education, and the Public Mind , Brendan Lenahan

Jena and Auerstadt: Reorganization of the German Military from 1807-1945 , Blake Cole Lucy

The Mormon Battalion, Cooke’s Wagon Road, and the Making of the New West , Nicholas Paul Mihora

It’s Black and White: An Investigation into the Founding of Three Post-Civil War Black Colleges , Melvin Gamble Miller

“Go, Then, to the Front as Temperate Men:” The U.S. Army, Temperance Advocacy, and Lessons Learned to 1873 , Megan M.S. Nishikawa

The Veneration of Charlemagne in Divine Kingship: From Charlemagne to the Last Crusade , Lindsay Michelle Olson

Gridiron Reconstruction: The Struggle for the Soul of the Post-Civil War South as Embodied in the UGA vs Georgia Tech Rivalry , Wendi Jo Pollard

“Always Said to be of Indian Extraction”: Native/African American Freedom Suits in Virginia 1773-1853 , Cress Ann Posten

The Intellectual and Diplomatic Discourse of American Progressives and the late Ottomans, 1830–1930 , Brigitte Maricich Powell

Only a Matter of Time: The Battle of Cold Harbor 28 May-12 June 1864 , Nathan Lee Provost

Who Should I Trust? Dynamics within Hitler's Inner Circle , Sarah C. Randow

At Any and All Hazards: Manifest Destiny, the Monroe Doctrine, and the Balance of Power in North America , Keith Thomas Ressa

Thinking on a Higher Plane: The Evolution of a Strategic Mindset in the Navies of America and Great Britain at the Turn of the Twentieth Century , Bryan Keith Robbins

The Cajun Traiteurs , Shelby Kathleen Robert

The Relationship between Christianity and Slavery: An Examination of the Defense of Slavery within Christian Thought, Practices and Methodologies from 1619-1865 , Decorie Lee Smith

Clawhammer: Vincent A. Witcher and Guerrilla Warfare in Civil War Southern Appalachia , Melanie Greer Storie

The Chiefs of Chota and the Charles Town Merchants: A Vital Alliance That Ensured the Growth and Success of South Carolina, 1692-1760 , Nicola Symonds

A Jus in Bello Comparison of Lee’s Gettysburg Campaign and Sheridan’s Valley Campaign , Jonathan Scott Thomas

The Impact of World War II on Hawaii , Darrel Raymond Van Hoose

American Military Cemeteries: Temples of Nationalism and Civic Religion , Kyler James Webb

Submissions from 2022 2022

James Monroe’s White House: The Genius of Politics and Place , Susan Glen Amos

Lost at Sea: The Nintendo GameCube’s Failure and the Transformation of an Industry 1996-2006 , Izsak Kayne Barnette

Becoming Men, Consequently: From “Contraband” to Men Through Naval Service in the American Civil War , Micah Paul Bellamy

American Policy Discourses on China: Two Centuries of National Imagination and Constructed Reality , Yan Chang Bennett

The Influence on American Post-Secondary Education by United States Military and Veteran Programs Resulting from Changing Technology, Reform-Minded Leaders, and Large Military Operations , Scot Douglas Cates

Conflict Surrounding the Red Castle: The Smithsonian Institution During the Civil War , Amber Turner Darby

Wildfire & Sacred Flame: Enthusiasm in American Revivalism 1734-1944 , Randy Lee Darnell

The Foundation of Freedom: Natural Rights and State Power in Revolutionary Massachusetts , Joshua Paul Dunkelberger

Accepting the Cost: German Baptist Brethren, Faith, and the American Civil War , Sheilah Rana Elwardani

The Consent of the Governed: Constitutionalism of the Levellers and its Influence on Anglo-American Political Discourse , Nathan B. Gilson

Arlington’s Freedmen’s Village: Becoming Untethered , Gavin Gerard Harrell

Something Remains: Union Monuments At Gettysburg 1863-1913 , Brendan Alexander Harris

Cold War Economic Ideology and US Aid to Taiwan, 1950-1965 , Wayne Robert Hugar

Reclaiming the Church: Puritan Structure, Political and Theological Distinctions in a Transatlantic Context, 1603-1689 , Kevan Dale Keane

Carlton J. H. Hayes: Historian, Professor, and America's Forgotten Ambassador , Adam Prescott Manuel

Fire and Fury: The German Tiger Battalions on the Eastern and Western Fronts, 1942-1945 , Daniel L. Moore

The Effects of the Union Blockade on the Confederacy during the United States' Civil War , Ronald C. Piccirilli

Conservatives at the Movies: Conservative Film Critics and Popular Culture , Alex Pinelli

Moravians Amongst the Cherokees: An Account of the Springplace Mission , Ethan T. Smith

James Madison: An Early American Entrepreneur , Christopher Sneeringer

A Shattered General: The Impact of Defeat on James Longstreet in East Tennessee, 1863-1864 , Logan E. Thomas

Fog of War; Cloud of Memory: The Fifty-Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry Shiloh's Story , Jared Daniel Williams

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Florida State University

FSU | Department of History

Department of History

Navigating dissertation and career: reflections on a journey in history by dave lunger, ph.d. 2024.

I would categorize my approach to earning my Ph.D. as nonstandard at best, and it stems from my lifelong interest in Military History. During my military career, I read anything I could get my hands on that helped me draw parallels of military science across the spectrum of conflict. This started as an undergraduate when I read The Life of Reason, or The Phases of Human Progress, written by Spanish-American philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist George Santayana. In Volume I: Introduction and Reason in Common Sense, Santayana stated, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Winston Churchill repeated this phrase in a 1948 speech to the British House of Commons when he said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Those words inspired me to learn as much as I could from others' past mistakes. I digested, absorbed, and analyzed major military conflicts across history and was keen to discover what separated history's greatest military leaders from everyone else.

After being commissioned in the United States Air Force, my reading covered a broad spectrum of military operations ranging from the bronze age to the modern age. I was fascinated with the history of Alexander’s Balkan, Persian, and Indian Campaigns; the Punic, Gallic, and Ceasar’s Civil Wars; the Norman Conquest; the Crusades; the Thirty Years War; English Civil Wars; the War of the Spanish Succession; the Seven Years’ War; The American Revolutionary War; the Napoleonic Wars; the American Civil War; the Franco-Prussian War; and World War I and II. My interests drove me to complete my M.A. in Military Science with a thesis on the Second Punic War in 2004. I used my understanding of Military History in various positions in the USAF to develop tactics and strategy while teaching in the United States Air Force Weapons School, and this sparked a desire to continue my education.

On Friday, 30 September 2016, I retired from the United States Air Force after twenty-seven years of service.  I felt it was time to do something else with my life as I was now half a century old. What I had always wanted to do but never had had the opportunity to do was to get my Ph.D. in military history. I was not driven by any grand design to enter academia; I was doing it for personal growth. I have always believed that modern strategic thought can trace its roots back to the Napoleonic Wars; every strategic planning course I took in the Air Force encouraged reading Clausewitz and Jomini, and I wanted to understand this genesis better, so I planned to pursue a Ph.D. in Napoleonic History. In a search for universities specializing in the period, Florida State University quickly vaulted to the top of the list of prospective schools. So, I applied, and after being accepted, I began pursuing a doctoral degree.

While pursuing my degree, I was offered a position at FSU as the Director of Project Management at the world-acclaimed National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. I direct the project management functions of the MagLab and facilitate the definition of project missions, goals, tasks, and resource requirements so that the lab can offer a suit of high powered magnets more than a million times more powerful than the Earth’s magnetic field to answer fundamental questions across scientific disciplines that impact our world. The high magnetic fields generated by our magnets are used to probe matter and uncover unique properties. The scientific research at the MagLab is leading to big discoveries in tomorrow’s quantum technologies, combatting climate change, protecting human health, enabling the magnet-based machines of the future, paving the way to new energy solutions, and solving the mysteries of the universe. It was an opportunity I could not turn down, and it meant that my academic pursuits took on a secondary priority.

One advantage I had was that I had completed my comprehensive exams before starting work for the MagLab. This meant I had already advanced to the dissertation phase as a doctoral candidate, so I only had to work on my dissertation which at this time was a study of Napoleonic heavy cavalry that compared Napoleon’s Imperial Guard Cavalry to England’s Household Brigade. Working full-time in a challenging setting made it difficult to focus on writing my dissertation, but I was determined to keep making progress. I used my time wisely and spent several years reading and researching until I had a coherent story to adapt to a research project. Once I started writing, I committed to writing one page a day until the dissertation was finished. This served me well until it became apparent that the scope of my dissertation would push the page total well over nine hundred pages. This forced me to scale back my original thesis. Downscaling my work was not all that difficult since I had taken the time to digest way more material than I could ever use. A completely different thesis emerged from this effort titled “Four Stuart Kings: Arbitrary Rule and The Origins of The Life Guards.” This new study traces the roots of the British Life Guards through the first four Stuart kings and illustrates that the Stuart interpretation of kingship, which emphasized the Divine Right of Kings, could only be implemented with the aid of a loyal contingent of Guards.

By committing myself to making progress over time made graduating a reality. Now that I have my degree, the question has been asked, “What do you plan to do with it?” I would be lying if I said I had no idea, but since I have already transitioned into a career field that I enjoy, it seems like there is little to do other than continue researching and writing about topics I like, but to what end? I was blessed in my Air Force career to be allowed to teach at the United States Air Force Weapons School, where I taught graduate-level instructor courses that provided our pilots with the world's most advanced training in weapons and tactics employment. This is where the teaching bug bit me, and I have always looked for teaching opportunities. At this stage of my career, I would be happy to continue in my current position and do some adjunct work to keep my mind in the game.

Completing my degree taught me a few lessons I would like to impart to anyone seeking an advanced degree while working. First and foremost, you need to stay committed. This was the most important thing for me as there were plenty of days that I had a full plate of activity, and writing one page of a dissertation just seemed like another task I could not get to in the limited time I had that day. Secondly, you must have a plan of action. While it is true that no plan survives first contact with the enemy, it should not keep you from making one. Having a plan allows you to make critical decisions when things don’t go your way, like I had to do when I descoped my research topic. Had I not invested the time and effort into reading and researching I would not have been able to pivot to a different thesis.

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150 Strong History Dissertation Topics to Write about

Writing a dissertation is one of the most challenging and exciting moments of an academic career. Such work usually takes a great deal of time, courage, and intellectual effort to complete. That’s why every step in your work process is essential.

It all starts with finding a good topic, which can be a challenge of its own. It especially matters when it comes to liberal arts subjects. In social studies, literature, or world history options are practically endless.

Coming up with history dissertation ideas, you need to think of historical events that interest you. We get it, choosing one is tough. There can be too much to wrap your head around. That’s why IvyPanda experts prepare some dissertation topics in history ready for you.

• How to Choose a Topic?
• Ancient History
• Medieval History
• Modern History
• Cold War Topics
• American History
• European History
• Indian History
• African History
• Performing Arts
• Visual Arts
• How to Structure

🧐 How to Choose a History Dissertation Topic?

Before examining our ideas for dissertation topics in history, you should get ready for this. You have to understand how to pick a history dissertation topic, which will ensure your academic success. Keep in mind that this is a vital step in your career.

So, check some tips on picking what to write about:

• Make sure that the topic fits in your field of study. You have to understand what you’re writing about. Basing your paper on existing knowledge and experience is a part of any dissertation. Working on an overly complicated idea can sound impressive but lead to failure. It will become a nightmare already on the stage of writing a dissertation proposal. How can you write the entire thing without comprehending it?
• Estimate whether you’re interested in the topic you intend to write on. Although this might seem obvious, yes. However, being actually invested makes a massive difference for your further work. There are plenty of students who settle for “easy but boring” topics and end up struggling twice as much.
• Ensure that your topic is specific enough. Your idea should have the potential for fruitful research. Narrowing down your area of study is essential for writing a good dissertation. It helps you to find the direction of your examination and enough sources to work with. Moreover, this way, you’ll be able to explore your topic in its entirety.
• Do some prior research. It will give you an understanding of how much literature on your topic is out there. Take notes of the materials for the reference list and your analysis. Checking history essay samples is a good idea, too.
• Don’t be shy to ask your dissertation advisor for some assistance. After all, they are here to help and guide you through the process. Besides, you have to see what ideas they consider relevant and appropriate.

👍 Good Dissertation Topics in History: Time Period

History is a subject as ancient and vast as the humankind itself. It’s only rational to study it according to a particular timeline. Here are some good history dissertation topics for different periods.

🏺 Ancient History Dissertation Topics

• Ancient Civilizations: The Maya Empire . The Maya was an incredibly powerful Empire with its prime around six century A.D., excelling in mathematics, calendar-making, astrology, and writing. It faced the decline of its city-states in nine century A.D., leaving a rich cultural heritage to the studies of subsequent generations.
• Women’s Roles and Gender relations in the Ancient World
• Greek City-States . Ancient Greece is the place where the first city-states were formed. How did the first governments in the ancient history timeline develop? How did people’s attitudes towards leadership change in that context?

• Ancient Near-Eastern Thought and the Old Testament
• The Inca Empire as a Great Civilization of Pre-Columbian America
• The Impact of Mongol Invasion in Ancient Arab
• The personality of Julius Caesar and His Effect on Rome
• The Role of Poets and the place of Poetry in Ancient Greece
• Mesopotamian Civilization . This was a fertile land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It has been home to some of the world’s wealthiest and most advanced ancient cities. It can also make an excellent archaeology dissertation topic. There are plenty of fascinating sites that could be studied.
• History: Ancient Greek Olympics . Started in 776 BC, the Olympic Games were the most important cultural event in Ancient Greece. They were held in honor of Zeus every four years. Besides, the Olympics were representative of the triumph of physical and spiritual power.
• Warfare and Violence in Ancient Times. Try to do a comparative analysis of warfare techniques used by different ancient civilizations. It could be a great dissertation topic.
• Burial Rituals in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece: a comparison
• Plutarch’s Vision on Alexander the Great
• Dissolution of the Roman Empire . The Empire sprawled from the coast of North Africa to the territories of the modern UK and Armenia. Once, it was the most powerful political entity in the entire Mediterranean. The empire, however, collapsed in 476 CE. What were the reasons for its eventual decline?

• How Geography Has Impacted the Development of Ancient Cultures
• Cause and Effect of Art on Classical Societies
• The Invention of Papyrus and its impact on the World
• Chichen Itza Archaeological Site . Chichen Itza is a great pre-Columbian archaeological site, home to the Maya civilization. It is a fascinating study case in many aspects. Consider the origins and Maya history. Analyze the cultural preservation issues that it faces nowadays.
• Egyptian Pyramid’s Importance in Egypt’s society
• The Stone Age Period and its Evolution

🛡 Medieval History Dissertation Ideas

• Cultural Exchanges in the Medieval Period . In the aftermath of the Roman Empire’s fall, new geopolitical conditions formed. The early Middle Ages period already marked the appearance of new trade routes. It fostered cultural exchange between nations.
• Rome in the Middle Ages and its cultural transformation
• The Development of Feudalism and Manorialism in the Middle Ages
• The Catholic Church and the Black Death in the 14th Century . During the high Middle Ages, the plague epidemic terrorized Europe. It was a dreadful challenge to medicine, religious institutions, and the social apparatus of the time. How did the Catholic Church deal with such a complex and disastrous medical phenomenon?
• Jews and Muslims in Medieval Spain . Christian, Islamic, and Jewish communities shared the Iberian peninsula in the early Middle Ages. It formed a vibrant cultural environment.
• London during the Roman Age: A Critical Overview
• Causes of the First Crusade of 1095-1099
• Twelfth-Century Renaissance, how Franciscans reacted to it and benefited from its development
• Business and Empire, the British ideal of an Orderly World
• The Black Death, Late Medieval Demographic crisis, and the Standard of Living controversies
• The Role of the Church in the life of the Middle Ages

• Medieval Siege Warfare . Exploring methods of defense used during the Middle Ages might be an interesting research project.
• The Conditions of Hindu and Islamic women in Medieval India
• Why the Crusades Failed
• The Mechanical Water clock of Ibn Al-Haytham, his philosophy of the rise and fall of empires
• The Renaissance and its Cultural, Political and Economic Influence
• The Dark Ages as the Golden Ages of European History . Plenty of facts demonstrate civilization’s decline during the Middle Ages. It was, nevertheless, the time of significant scientific, literary, and technological progress. For some interested in writing a medieval literature dissertation: think of Dante’s Divine Comedy . Da Vinci made his groundbreaking study projects during the Middle Ages. It was the time when first universities, such as Cambridge and Oxford, were founded. Overall, this period has a lot to offer!
• Japan’s Development Under Edo/Tokugawa Shogunate
• Historical and Theological Context of Byzantine Iconoclasm
• Medieval Convivencia: Document Analysis

🕰 Modern History Dissertation Topics

• World History: Enlightenment in Society and its Impact on Global Culture
• Nationalism and its 19th Century History
• Why Mussolini and the Fascists Were Able to Seize Power in Italy
• Religious Symbolism in Renaissance paintings . Renaissance is well-known as a period when fine arts were thriving. It was an early modern birthplace of many technological and cultural advancements. Religion, however, was still a central topic in visual art.
• Industrial Revolution and its Impact on Western Civilizations
• Principles of Liberalism and Its Connection to Enlightenment and Conservatism
• “History and Topography of Ireland” by Gerald of Wales . Looking for an incredible Irish history dissertation topic? Then this document might be an interesting prompt. Its somewhat controversial tone of describing contemporary Irish culture, history, and traditions can be subject to a comprehensive analysis.
• Moral treatment of Mental Illness . Over the 19th and 20th centuries, psychology has changed. Moving from a scientific periphery, it became one of the central subjects of scholarly discussions. Mental illnesses were highly disregarded in earlier centuries. People even considered them to be manifestations of demonic possession. How did this attitude change? Why did people rethink psychology as a scholarly discipline?
• A History of the Cuban Revolution

• Abraham Lincoln’s Historical Influence
• Role of Women During the Spanish Civil War
• Conquest and Colonization of America by European Countries . Colonization of America is one of the grandest enterprises in the world’s political history. What were its driving forces?
• Origins and Trajectory of the French Revolution
• Major Impacts of Consumerism in contemporary world history
• Coco Chanel Fashion: History of Costume . Probably not the first topic for a history dissertation that comes to mind. Chanel is truly an iconic figure in modern history, though. She revolutionized the fashion industry concerning gender as well.
• Causes of the Breakup of the Former Yugoslavia
• The Russian Working Class Movement . Before 1861, the agriculture and peasant-owning system were the foundation of the Russian Empire’s economy. Serfs made up a significant part of the population, accounting for over 60% in some regions. Then the serfdom abolition happened. A lot has changed in the economic and social life of the country.
• Segregation During the 1960s
• Historical Development of Feminism and Patriarchy
• Monetary and Fiscal Policy during the Great Depression

🔔 History Dissertation Topics on Cold War

• The Role of Cold War in Shaping Transatlantic Relations in the Period from 1945 to 1970
• The showdown between the United States and the USSR . Cold Was was essentially the power struggle between the US and the Soviet Union. It unleashed in the aftermath of World War II. This political precedent came to an end with the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, the answer to the “Who won the Cold War?” question may be unclear.
• The Cuban Missile Crisis , its causes, and effects
• US Foreign Policy during the Cold War. Cold War, as a phenomenon, has many layers to it. Yet the one crucial is the contest of two ideologies: democracy and communism. How did the US shape its foreign policy and pursue its interests abroad? And how did the cultural and political setup within the country adjust to it?
• To what extent did the Cold War shape the US relations with Latin America?
• What was the importance of Berlin in the Cold War?
• Japan’s role since the end of the Cold War
• Cold War Politics, Culture, and War . Exploring the Cold War causes and effects can be quite a challenge. It is such a multifaceted phenomenon. It was a war led on many fronts. Both USSR and the US pursued their interests using a variety of methods.

• How did Cold War propaganda influence the film industry?
• What were the challenges in the post-cold war world?

🗺 History Dissertation Topics: Geographical Regions

Every country has its historical course, and so does every continent. Geography has always been an important factor when talking about history. It shapes historical trajectory in varied, unique ways.

Look at a dissertation topics history list based on geographical regions:

🦅 American History Dissertation Topics

• History of Hollywood, California . Oh, Hollywood. A place where American movie history was born. What about Hollywood’s history? Although a less traditional American history dissertation topic, it is still a fascinating one. Explore the way technological advancements in filmmaking were introduced over the decades. How did they influence the film’s general style?
• History: Migration into the United States . How did migration influence the economy of the time?
• The Relationships between the Settlers and Native Americans
• Literary works’ Views on Slavery in the United States
• Causes of the Civil War in America
• What is the real meaning of a cowboy?
• The United States military experience through the eyes of films
• Attack on Pearl Harbor: Effects of Foreign policy
• Causes of Depression in the 1890s
• Has President Obama’s Presidency changed the US?
• The role of Founding Fathers in American Society and Religion
• Post-Civil War reconstruction . Consider the way America’s economy, trade, and finance transformed in the aftermath of the Civil War.
• Principal causes and consequences of the Spanish-American War
• Why was the Declaration of Independence written?
• The Significance of the Frontier in American History
• How is a “new racial narrative” in the U.S.A created?
• American Revolution and the Crisis of the Constitution of the U.S.A. Rethink the origins of the American constitution, as well as the following events. It could be an exciting thesis idea for an American history dissertation.

• Growth and Development of San Francisco and Los Angeles after the Gold Rush
• The Role of Racism in American Art
• Drug Use and Abuse in America: Historical Analysis

🏰 European History Dissertation Topics

• Age of Discovery in Europe. The Age of Exploration in Europe lasted from the 15th to the 17th century. Over this period, Europe actively engaged with other territories and continents. Discoverers formed new international relations and expanded geographical knowledge. This topic could also make an excellent cultural history dissertation.
• Analyzing the Impact of British Colonization
• Nationalism in World War II
• Effects of the Industrial Revolution concerning World War I
• The Rise and Fall of Napoleon and the Cause of Revolution . Napoleon is one of the most prominent figures in French history. What has shaped his career as a political leader?
• History of Hitler’s Nazi Propaganda . Consider a brief history of Germany. Undoubtedly, the rule of Hitler and the Third Reich was its most devastating chapter. The “art” of propaganda flourished during the nazi regime. It penetrated the cultural, political, and social life of the country.
• Evolution of the IRA
• Napoleon’s Strategy and Tactics in his Invasion of Russia . For someone interested in writing a military history dissertation.
• Industrial Revolution Impact on Gender Roles
• Witchcraft in Europe (1450-1750) . Witch hunts took place as early as the Middle Ages in Europe. Held by the Church in most cases, witch hunts targeted those who were suspected of practicing black magic. Examine this both astonishing and problematic phenomenon.

• French Revolution: Liberal and Radical Portions
• West European Studies: Columbus’s Journey
• History of Feudalism . Feudalism dominated the European way of life during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. What were its distinctive features as a system? Why did it eventually fade away?
• Europe’s perception of Islam in the Early and Middle centuries
• Cold War Consequences for European Countries
• Mutated Medical Professionals in the Third Reich: Third Reich Doctors
• Was the Holocaust the Failure or the Product of Modernity?
• How did the use of print change the lives of early modern Europeans ?
• Early Modern England: a Social History
• Jewish Insight of Holocaust

⛰ Indian History Dissertation Topics

• History of the Indian Castes. The Indian Caste system is a complex and unique example of social stratification.
• Mahatma Gandhi’s Leadership . Gandhi is, for sure, among the greatest human rights advocates in the world’s history. His one of a kind leadership style is subject to many studies. While practicing a peaceful form of civil protest, he fought for equality, independence, and compassion.
• Political conflicts in India in the XVII century
• Impacts of the First World War on British Policies in India
• Movement Against the British rule in India. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, with the support of the National Congress, the movement took place in 1920-22. It sought to fight for the freedom of Indians.
• The Origin and Course of the Indian revolt of 1857
• The Issues of the Partitioning of India in 1947
• India Since 1900 . India is a region rich with unique traditions. Its spiritual and cultural heritage goes back to antiquity. The country’s authentic art and architecture, music, and cuisine have served as an inspiration worldwide. A considerable part of its history is, however, affected by British rule.

• Women in Hinduism and Buddhism
• The British East India Company

🌍 African History Dissertation Topics

• Ancient Societies in Mesopotamia and Ancient Societies in Africa: a comparison . Egypt is one of the most ancient African civilizations. Its origins go back to the third millennium B.C. Back then, the cultural exchange between Egypt and Mesopotamia was flourishing. What were the significant differences between the two civilizations? What did they have to offer to one another?
• Political Violence in South Africa between 1985 and 1989
• Did History of Modern South Africa begin with the Discovery of Diamonds and Gold?
• Nelson Mandela: “Freedom in Africa.” Nelson Mandela is, without a doubt, one of the central figures in African history. His devotion and tireless effort in fighting against apartheid were remarkable. Thanks to him, many sub-Saharan countries enjoy the freedoms and advances of a democratic society.
• The Cult of the Dead in West Africa: The Kongo People . African tribal rituals and traditions are unique and specific to their region. Cult of the Dead is prevalent in Western African culture. It can be notoriously known as the origin place of voodoo and other black magic practices. There is yet much more to this culture. Dismantling some prejudices could make an excellent African history thesis.
• Christianity, Slavery, and Colonialism: the paradox
• The Colonial War in Southwest Africa
• African-Europe Relations between 1800 and 2000
• Impacts of Slavery and Slave Trade in Africa
• African Communities in America

🎨 Art History Dissertation Topics

Art comes in all shapes and forms. To grasp it better, we can explore each kind separately. Here’s a list of art history dissertation ideas:

🎶 Topics on Performing Arts

• History and Development of Ballet . Ballet is an art form with a long history. Initially, a specific dance originated in Medieval Italy. It was later brought to France and Great Britain. Ballet thrived in the 20th century Russia, where Russian choreographers brought it to the highest level of mastery.
• The Life and Work of William Shakespeare: His Contribution to The Contemporary Theater
• Jazz Music in American Culture . Jazz is one of the most complex and exciting music genres of all time. It was born in the 20’s century black communities of New Orleans and quickly spread across America and then the world. The genre, however, will always be an integral part of African-American identity.
• The Instrumental Music of Baroque: Forms and Evolution
• Rock Music of the 1970s
• Michael Jackson’s Life as a Musician and Choreographer
• Development of the Symphony Orchestra in the 19th and 20th Century
• Woodstock Music Festival . This massive music festival that first took place in 1969 was the epitome of hippie culture. It has a rich history that once again underscores the importance of performing arts in Western culture.
• The History of Modern Chinese Music
• The Renaissance Theater Development. The era in which both visual and performing arts were thriving. It has a lot to offer for proper dissertation research.

🖼Topics on Visual Arts

• Art Period Comparison: Classicism and Middle Age
• Vincent Van Gogh: Changes in the Technique
• The Ambiguity of Mona Lisa Painting

• Orientalism in Western Art . It’s commonly associated with romanticism and some 20th-century artworks. Orientalism is a Western term that speculates the aesthetics of the Orient. Consider this concept as a prism through which Westerners viewed the Eastern world.
• Classical Art and Cubism: History and Comparison
• Postmodern and Modern Art . The 20th and 21st centuries have been a breeding ground for many forms of fine art to emerge and flourish. Some art movements presented their philosophy in the form of manifestos. These texts can be nothing but a pure treasure for someone writing an art history dissertation.
• Female Figures in Ancient Greek Sculpture
• Andy Warhol’s Career . Pioneer of pop-art, creator of Studio 54, and a style icon.
• Filippo Brunelleschi and Religious Architecture
• The Photographic Approaches Towards American Culture of Robert Frank and Garry Winogrand

📋 How to Structure Your Dissertation?

An adequately structured history dissertation can immensely help students. It ensures that they present their ideas and thoughts logically. Sticking to a particular dissertation structure is an essential element of such work.

The general plan of any dissertation type is the following:

• Title Page. A title page should only contain essential information about your work. It usually shows your name, type of the document (thesis, research paper, dissertation), and the title itself. A good history dissertation title is crucial! It’s the first thing a reader will see.
• Acknowledgments. Do you wish to give credit to someone for supporting you during the tiresome months of your work? This is the right part to do so, be it your family, friends, or professors. It is an excellent form to express gratitude to those who proofread your drafts. Or those who brought you another cup of coffee when you needed it.
• Declaration. This section is your written confirmation. You declare that all the research and writing is entirely original and was conducted by you. If someone intellectually contributed to your project, state it in the acknowledgments.
• Table of Contents. Essentially, it’s a brief structure of your dissertation. List every section that you’ve included in your academic paper here.
• Abstract. This is the section where you write a brief summary of your dissertation. It should describe the issue, summarize your core message and essential points. List your research methods and what you’ve done. Remember to make it short, as the abstract shouldn’t exceed 300 words or so. Finish the part with a few essential keywords so that others can find your work.
• Introduction. A dissertation introduction presents the subject to the reader. You can talk about the format of your work. Explain what you plan to contribute to the field with your research.
• Literature Review. The chapter reviews and analyzes pieces of scholarly work (literature) that have been made on the subject of your research. The sources should present relevant theories and support your thesis. Be sure to discuss the weaknesses and strengths of the selected area of study and highlight possible gaps in this research.
• a code of conduct;
• research limitations;
• research philosophy;
• research design;
• ethical consideration;
• data collection methods;
• data analysis strategy.
• Findings and Results. Restate everything you have found in your research. However, do not interpret the data or make any conclusions yet.
• Discussion and Conclusion. In this chapter, you should personally interpret all of the data and make conclusions based on your research. It is essential to establish a logical link between the results and evidence. Finally, conclude the overall study. You can add final judgments, opinions, and comments.
• References. This section contains a list of references to all the sources that you used. Write down every material, which you quoted, mentioned, or paraphrased in your work. Check your educational institution’s guidelines to see how to do so correctly.
• Bibliography. Similar to the reference section, a bibliography is a list of sources you used in your dissertation. The only difference is that it should contain even the sources you don’t directly mention in your writing. Whatever helped you with the research, you state here.
• Appendices. The section may include any supplementary information that explains and complement the arguments. Add pictures, diagrams, and graphs that serve as examples for your research subject.

Writing a dissertation is the right challenge for those with ambitions and lots of determination. It is a lot like a marathon, and it starts with choosing the right topic. We hope that you will find one for yourself on this list. Good luck! Share the article to help those who may need a piece of advice or some history dissertation topics.

🔗 References

• How To Write A Dissertation: Department of Computer Science, West Lafayette, Purdue University
• Ph.D. Thesis Research, Where Do I Start: Don Davis, Columbia University
• Writing with Power: Elbow P., Oxford University
• Writing a Thesis or Dissertation – A Guide to Resources: Gricel Dominguez
• The Elements of Style: Strunk, W. Jr., White, E.B., Angell, R.
• A Collection Of Dissertation Topics In American History: asqauditconference.org
• Yale History Dissertations: Department of History, Yale University
• Dissertation Outline: School of Education, Duquesne University
• Developing a Thesis Statement: The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Writing an Abstract: The Writing Center, George Mason University
• Formatting Additional Pages: University of Missouri Graduate School
• Reference List vs. Bibliography: OWLL, Massey University
• How to Write Your Dissertation: Goldsmiths University for The Guardian
• Tips on Grammar, Punctuation and Style: Kim Cooper, for the Writing Center at Harvard University
• Acknowledgments, Thesis and Dissertation: Research Guides at Sam Houston State University
• Thesis Formatting, Writing up your Research: Subject Guides at University of Canterbury
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Dissertation Defense - Thomas Augustin

We are pleased to announce and invite you to the public oral defense of the doctoral dissertation of Thomas J. Augustin, under the mentorship of Dr. Richard W. Handel on  July 15 at 12pm .

Title:  Gender Measurement Invariance of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - Adolescent - Restructured Form (MMPI-A-RF) Internalizing and Externalizing Specific Problem Scales.

July 15, 2024, 12:00pm

https://odu.zoom.us/j/99732501303 Meeting ID:  997 3250 1303

Posted By: Shalaura Tyson-Griffin Date: Mon Jul 08 08:04:21 EDT 2024

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Dissertation defense, overview of the dissertation defense.

The Defense (Ph.D. Final Exam) is a final oral examination taken after preparation of a written Ph.D. dissertation.  Each student will prepare and present a seminar defending the scientific importance of their dissertation before a 3+ member Dissertation Committee and interested faculty and graduate students in the program. Following the open presentation, the audience will be excused, and the committee will continue to examine the student regarding the presentation and dissertation work.  This examination is usually restricted to the members of the committee, but may be open to faculty members and guests, with the consent of the student and all the members of the dissertation committee.

• 8 weeks prior – Set date of exam and reserve room (allow two hours for presentation and examination period)
• 2-4 weeks prior – Share Dissertation with Committee Members
• 2 weeks prior – Share Defense details with BME Community (email details to Graduate Program Coordinator for distribution)
• Defense exam (exam should be conducted in person, one remote member allowed)
• Dissertation Chair submits PhD Final Exam Report in GradSphere
• Refer to Graduate Studies Filing Your Dissertation process
• Initiate Filing Process in GradSphere

Committee Requirements:

• Established at the time of Advancement to Candidacy for the Ph.D.
• Three members (5 maximum)
• The chairperson is required to be a member of the BMEGG and is normally the Major Professor
• Representation from both engineering and biology/medicine
• All potential committee members must meet the Graduate Council Policy on Service on Advanced Degree Committees
• Individuals from outside the University of California are considered External Members and may be approved with additional review. External members include faculty, researchers, or other professionals who are not employed by the University of California, and who possess special expertise and/or experience not matched by eligible UC committee members. Please be prepared to upload their current CV/Resume and justification of expertise not available within the UC System.

Dissertation Resources:

• Formatting Guidelines
• Publishing Options, Embargo, & Copyright 
• Sample Title Page
• GradPathways Writing and Publishing Resources

• Stanford University
• Thursday, August 15

PhD Dissertation Defense: Pranav Vyas

• Bioengineering

Thursday, August 15, 2024 2pm PT

In person and online

AllenX 101X 330 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305 View map

This event is open to: Everyone

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Event Details:

Title : Lattices across scales: Algorithmic construction of topologically complex Holothurian biomineral lattices via cellular syncytia and Hyperuniform networks in Ophiuroid communities in Arctic benthic environments

Abstract : Living systems exhibit remarkable ability to construct complex structures through interactions between agents across scales. Through my work, I have explored this idea in two distinct contexts – one at the cell-tissue scale and the other at the ecological scale.

In the first part of the talk, I will delve into the beautiful world of miniature (~100 µm length scale) skeletal structures in sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) called ossicles that exhibit intricate and diverse morphologies both across species and even within individuals. Through our work, we establish juvenile stage  Apostichopus parvimensis  as a new model system to study biomineralization and morphogenesis of lattice like ossicles and simultaneously explore the cellular physiological context. We demonstrate, how cytoskeleton enabled intra-cellular transport within a syncytium of cells, enables growth of ossicles from small (1-2 µm) seeds into complex topologies within tightly wrapped membrane bound spaces. Constructing a topological description of ossicle geometries from 3D micro-CT (computational tomography) data reveals the hidden growth history and conserved patterns across ossicle types. Using coupled reaction-advection-diffusion equations we model the tip growth process as a coordination between passive diffusion and active transport within the syncytium. Finally, using reduced order models of conserved transport on self-closing branching networks, we highlight the hidden universality in the growth process of distinct ossicles. The system presented serves as a unique example of "cellular masonry" merging top-down cellular physiology and classical branching morphogenesis with bottom-up non-equilibrium mineralization processes at the interface of living and non-living matter.

In the second part, I will take you on a journey to the Arctic where we discovered extensive coverage of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) on the sea floor using a remotely operated vehicle during our expedition in the Chukchi sea. The contiguous distribution of  Ophiura sarsii  populations, connected through arm-to-arm contacts, leads to the formation of extensive disordered lattices spanning tens to hundreds of kilometers. By analyzing benthic imaging data of a subset of these networks, and utilizing statistical approaches, we discovered suppression of density fluctuations at large length scales, indicating hyperuniformity. Through comparisons with fossil data of ophiuroid communities and laboratory experiments with miniature brittle stars  Amphipolis squamata , we propose evolutionary and ecological explanations for the same. Our work highlights the role of optimal community assemblies in brittle stars and the fragile nature of benthic ecosystems.

Location : AllenX 101X, 330 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cP8c6QfgRt6KPiMR8

Location tip: The Paul G. Allen Center for Integrated Systems Annex is located at 330 Jane Stanford way. It is located at the corner of Jane Stanford way and Via Ortega, and is an extension of the Paul G. Allen Center.

Please contact  Madelyn Bernstein  for the Zoom link

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• Aug 6, 2024

Kristen Bieda and Beth Herbel-Eisenmann are his Guidance Committee Co-Chairpersons and Beth Herbel-Eisenmann is his Dissertation Director. Other committee members include Higinio Dominguez, Jennifer Green, and Leslie Dietiker of Boston University.

Faculty, students, and the general public are invited.

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Incoming Student Spotlight: Naomi Saro

Johanna Gutierrez

August 9, 2024

Meet Naomi Saro: She is from Kigali, Rwanda, and will be starting the master of science in environment & international affairs program this fall – a joint program between the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Walsh School of Foreign Service, Earth Commons Institute and the Science, Technology and International Affairs program.

Why did you choose Georgetown?

I am passionate about finding interdisciplinary sustainable solutions to environmental and public health issues. I chose my program at Georgetown because of its interdisciplinary nature which I believe will equip me with the knowledge I desire to gain.

What advice would you give to others going through the graduate school application process?

My biggest advice if you’re considering to apply to Georgetown University… is to JUST DO IT! Don’t hesitate on it, just shoot your shot. And the earlier you do it, the better.

What are you looking forward to the most during your time at Georgetown?

I look forward to learning from the different perspectives my peers will bring to our cohort. With everyone coming from diverse backgrounds I have no doubt there will be much to learn from everyone.

What do you enjoy during your free time?

During my free time I enjoy taking naps, especially on a warm day. I also enjoy reading a book or listening to a podcast. Please share any book or podcast recommendations you might have on my post on Instagram .

Ready to transform your career?