The trials of being a PhD external examiner.
I have been invited to be an external examiner for a Ph.D. in electronic engineering at a UK University. I work in the Electronics industry in a research role, regularly competing for external research funding with academics and sometimes collaborating with them too (including 2 or 3 of the academics in the department from which I have received the invitation).
The School is required to respond to their External Examiners explaining how points raised are being addressed. The name, position and institution of External Examiners are published below, for information only, following their approval by the University Board for Teaching, Learning and Student Experience in the Spring Term each year.
The University appoints two examiners for all research degree vivas, normally an external examiner and an internal examiner. Where a candidate is also an academic member of staff at the University and the integrity of the examination may be considered to be compromised by the appointment of an internal examiner, the University will require the appointment of two external examiners and a chair.
When the recommendation of an external examiner gives rise to a case of dispute between the external examiner and internal examiner, it is within the power of the Chair of the Progression and Awards Board at the request of the Chair of the Examining Board, to resort to another external examiner who would be asked to arbitrate. The Chair of the Progression and Awards Board may take into account.
One of the best things I ever did in my career was to do a PhD, and I now have the privilege to be an external examiner. I've done so many now, and the more I do them, the more confident I feel in.
Name(s) of External Examiner(s): Name of Internal Examiner: Name of Convener of the Examining Committee: Section 1: We the Examiners have examined the above named candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Our conclusions are indicated below. (Note: In order to recommend the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, the Examiners must agree with the statements in A(i), A(ii) and A.
PhD Internal examiner. The role of the internal examiner is to determine whether the results presented in the candidate’s Thesis meet the academic standard required. The internal examiner will also play a role to ensure fairness and balance during the viva voce. The internal examiner should act as chair during the viva and shall ensure that it is conducted in accordance with University.