Guidelines for the Final Reading, LUI

Toward the end of the PhD candidate’s research project, a final reading seminar is organized where an external reader provides the candidate with academic feedback. The purpose of the seminar is to provide the PhD candidate with feedback on what will enhance the quality of the dissertation and thereby contribute to quality assurance before submission.

Conducting the Final Reading Seminar

To provide the greatest possible benefit, the final reading seminar should be held when the dissertation is actually read. It is recommended that the candidate and supervisors plan the timing of the final reading seminar approximately four months before the realistically planned submission date. In this way, the assessment of maturity governs the timing, rather than the end date of the fellowship period. The supervisors are responsible for making the first informal contact with the final reader after approval from the head of the PhD program. The program leadership organizes, invites, and chairs the final reading seminar.

The seminar is held in person (or digitally if the final reader is not from the Oslo region) and lasts for 2 hours. Participants in the seminar include the candidate, the final reader, supervisors, and the head of the PhD programme. The study leader with personnel responsibility for the candidate is also invited. Typically, the seminar is open to other PhD candidates in the programme, who may attend as audience members. The seminar will primarily be a conversation between the candidate and the final reader. The head of the PhD programme leads the seminar.

The final reader assesses the dissertation as if they were a member of an expert committee and presents their evaluations and recommendations at the seminar. The final reader is encouraged to facilitate dialogue during the seminar and summarize some key points in writing, which can be distributed to the candidate during or after the seminar.

In special cases, the candidate may request a written report from the final reader instead of seminar. The final reading seminar is considered an important part of the quality assurance system of the PhD-programme, all PhD-candidates are supposed to have a final reading seminar. If there are valid reasons to assure the quality of the dissertation in other ways, the head of the PhD. programme can decide not to hold a final reading seminar.

Compensation

• The final reader is paid 8 000 NOK / an internal reader receives 20 hours in their work plan.
• The PhD administration pays the honorarium to the final reader when the feedback is received or after the seminar is conducted.