This presentation was prepared for the Faculty of Education PhD Symposium at the University of Hull. The confirmation and the final viva are the two milestones to defend your research on the PhD journey within a British higher education institution. While there will be differences within the UK, this presentation offers one perspective.

1. The Confirmation Process:
A Trek into the Known
A milestone in the UK PhD Journey
Margaret Korosec
Technology-Enhanced Learning
PhD Student / University of Hull
Presented at the Faculty of Education PhD Symposium

2. Welcome
 Introduction
 What is a confirmation?
 My own trek
 The confirmation
Prepare
Deliver
Reflect
 Conclusion

3. What is the PhD confirmation?
Image by Kreuzschnabel/Wikimedia Commons. 2013 License: artlibre and CC BY-SA 3.0

4. When is the confirmation?
According to the Checklist of the Key Stages of the
Research Degree Process found on the Graduate
School site:
The PhD confirmation (the ‘upgrade’ meeting)
generally takes place between
8 – 12 months
after commencing your PhD programme
Documents and Forms:
http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/graduateschool/documentsandforms.aspx

5. Introduction
MacPhail, W. (2009). Students in the Class. [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/

6. Confirmation: Prepare
Submit
 Summary of the research
 Research questions
 Thesis organisation with chapter headings
 Statement of progress to date
 Schedule and plan for further research
 Literature review
 A draft chapter or evidence of critical writing

7. Confirmation: Prepare
Literature
Review
Research
Questions
Thesis
Organization
Progress to
Date
Further
Research
Plans
Draft
Chapter

8. Confirmation: Prepare
 Review documentation with your supervisor(s)
 Prepare verbal responses to your written submission
 Practice responding with a friend or fellow student
 Find out who the examiners are and their areas of
research
 Be prepared to address your progress between
submission and the actual confirmation meeting
Please note: Some departments require a presentation which is open to staff
and students. Be sure and know what is expected of you!

9. Confirmation: Deliver

10. Confirmation: Deliver
 Ask if the meeting can be recorded.
 Listen carefully to the questions and to the responses.
 Answer questions honestly.
 It is okay to say, “I do not know.”
 Remember the University wants you to succeed!
 Trust your efforts thus far, because….
Please note: Your supervisor(s) may be present during the meeting but
are not allowed to speak!

11. You’ve come a long way, baby!

12. Confirmation: Reflect
 What guidance will you incorporate as you continue?
 Be sure to request a copy of the confirmation report.
 Review the audio and pull out key points, names of
recommended reading or themes, or other relevant points.
 If you have any conditions, are you clear on what is
expected?
 Schedule a follow up meeting with your supervisor to
review and gain his or her feedback.

13. My experience
Photo: Claremont Colleges Digital Library (1965). Students In Class – Pitzer College. [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/

14. My experience
Submitted
confirmation
documentation
21 March
Confirmation
meeting with
both
supervisors,
two examiners
and one
meeting chair
21 May
Resubmission
1 August

15. My experience
The trek became clearer after confirmation
 Railway Yards at Stourbridge junction (Rob Newman)

16. Gain new perspective and reflect on your work.
Salac, M. (2013). Framed [Photo]. Retrieved from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mik2/6225621707/in/photolist-au8Wri-e4FP3G-bkKu99/

17. Do not make assumptions!
Be sure and consider all recommendations and
evaluate whether they are right for you.

18. Keep the end in mind!
You know where you are going, though there are
sometimes different ways to reach the end.

19. Own it.
This is your work and your work will influence
your trek after graduation.

20. Lee, S. (2009). Every which way in downtown
Brooklyn [Photo].
Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/

21. Doctorates are awarded to students who
have demonstrated….
 The creation and
interpretation of new
knowledge….
 General ability to
conceptualise, design
and implement a
project for the
generation of new
knowledge….
 A systematic
acquisition and
understanding…
 A detailed
understanding of
applicable techniques
for research and
advanced academic
enquiry.

22. Thank you for your attention and good
luck to you on your educational journey.