Surviving the confirmation
process: A practical guide
Dr Stephen Harrington
Today:
• A practical guide (ties in with
my "8 Tips...")
• The entire confirmation
process.
• Broken down into 6 stages...
The 6 stages of confirmation:
• "The lead-up"
• "The write-up"
• "The stand-up"
• "The wait-up"
• "The big-up"
• "The follow-up"
1: "The Lead-Up"
• Starts the moment you successfully
complete the Stage 2 process.
• Plan well in advance.
• Understand what is involved.
• Attend other confirmation seminars,
view other confirmation documents.
1: "The Lead-Up"
• Plan a date well in advance.
• Don't put it off if you don't have to.
• Don't over-read.
• Plan carefully with your supervisors.
• Start the writing process early...
2: "The Write-Up"
• Not a distinct phase, as such.
• Vital element in the confirmation
process.
• Should be very well-developed.
• Topic/scope should be very clearly
defined...
2: "The Write-Up"
What your confirmation document needs to
demonstrate:
1. A clearly defined topic/research
question(s).
2. A very good understanding of the field,
and previous research.
3. A gap in the existing research; and,
4. A clear plan of how you are going to fill it.
2: "The Write-Up"
Clarity of focus is vital.
Time for an exercise!
Task: Write a 4 sentence summary
of your thesis topic and methods.
3: "The Stand-Up"
• Don't be nervous!
• A chance to share your interests with
others.
• Is a public seminar. Invite friends and
family.
• This is a very different genre/task to
the confirmation document...
3: "The Stand-Up"
•This requires you to speak to a very
different audience.
•Summary of the confirmation document, for
a layperson.
Time for an exercise!
Task: Write a 2 sentence summary of
your thesis topic and methods, that
anyone can understand.
3: "The Stand-Up"
• Be well-prepared.
• Don't read from a script.
• Keep to the allocated time!
• Try to anticipate possible questions.
• Answer them honestly, if possible.
4: "The Wait Up"
• Stand around nervously.
• Relax. :)
• Do something to fill-in the time!
• Thank people for coming, follow-up
with good/incisive questions.
5: "The Big-Up"
• More often than not, positive
feedback!
• Listen carefully to the panel's advice.
• Use the opportunity to ask questions,
seek further information/feedback.
• See any criticism as a useful chance
for improvement.
6: "The Follow-Up"
• The most important phase of all.
• How you respond to the process, and
let it feed back into your work.
• Especially if your confirmation is not
Immediately successful.
• Engage the panel members on an
ongoing basis, if possible.
Conclusion:
• Stay calm. The entire process exists
for your benefit.
• Usually very positive experience.
• But, only if approached in the right
spirit.
• You can do it!
Questions?