PhD funding presentation

[tangerino]

Hello

Not sure of this is in the right place, sorry. I have a place to start a PhD in September 2017. My supervisor has recommended me for three different funding studentships. To be my uni's recommended candidate, I need to do a presentation and Q&A with various academics in my department (some of whom I may know as I also did my MA there).

I just wondered if anyone had any experience of this kind of thing and any tips. I don't even know if I can present with slides. Also don't know whether to expect a grilling or an easy ride. Also it's inter-disciplinary, so I'll be the only one in the room who knows about certain aspects.

Basically, does anyone have any tips? Also, what to wear??

Congratulations on getting the place. Hard to say whether you should expect a grilling; in some places and subjects funding is highly contested, so yes, but in others (particularly for UK/EU candidates, since some funding is available to them and not more broadly) it's not. Assume you'll get a real grilling!

They want to know you will do a good PhD. That means you are clever, hard-working, and know what you're getting into. It does not mean you know all the answers - it's fine to say "I don't know", and it's a positive bonus to be clear in your presentation about where you are genuinely uncertain about what you will find when you do the research. Be concrete about what you will do to answer your questions. Have some idea about what could go wrong and what you would do about that. Show enthusiasm!

Would love to say it doesn't matter what you wear, and it doesn't matter much, but implicit bias is a thing. Go for neat, serious, sober, not too feminine. Minimal make up if any. Above all, something you'll forget about!

Why don't you ask mumsnet to move your post to the 'academics corner' .