5th Year Workshop

Preparing for the dissertation defense

Ian McCarthy, Emory University

Economics PhD Professionalism Workshop

The Defense

What is the defense?

  • A formal presentation of your dissertation to your committee
  • Typically 60-90 minutes (presentation + Q&A)
  • You’ve been working toward this for years. This is the finish line.

The defense is rarely adversarial. Your committee wants you to succeed. They wouldn’t let you defend if they didn’t think you were ready.

Timeline

  • 6+ months before: Confirm committee availability, discuss timeline with adviser
  • 3 months before: Share complete draft with committee
  • 1 month before: Schedule the defense, book a room, send final draft
  • 2 weeks before: Practice your presentation multiple times
  • Day of: Show up early, bring water, breathe

Committee expectations

  • They have read your dissertation (or at least should have)
  • They will ask questions about your methods, data, and conclusions
  • They may suggest revisions before final submission
  • Each member brings a different perspective, so expect varied questions

Talk to each committee member individually before the defense. No surprises on either side.

The presentation

  • Plan for 30-40 minutes of presentation, leaving time for questions
  • Cover all chapters/essays, but emphasize the JMP
  • You know this material better than anyone in the room

The presentation

  • Use a clear structure:
    1. Brief overview of the dissertation (1-2 slides)
    2. Chapter-by-chapter summary with key findings
    3. How the chapters connect
    4. Concluding thoughts and future directions

Common questions

Be prepared for:

  • “How does this contribute to the literature?”
  • “What are the limitations and how would you address them?”
  • “What would you do differently if starting over?”
  • “Where do you see this research going next?”

It’s OK to say “That’s a great question, and I think…” or even “I’m not sure, but here’s how I’d approach it.”

Common pitfalls

  • Trying to present everything in exhaustive detail
  • Not practicing enough (timing is critical)
  • Getting defensive about limitations
  • Forgetting that the committee is on your side

After the defense

  • Committee deliberates (usually brief)
  • Possible outcomes: pass, pass with revisions, or (very rarely) major revisions
  • Complete any required revisions promptly
  • Submit final dissertation to the graduate school
  • File all required paperwork on time

Then celebrate. You earned it.