Hello all,

I defended my thesis two weeks ago. I started to think what is the next step? My supervisor adviced me to publish articles, my examiners adviced me to publish the thesis as a book.
I really like to publish my thesis as a book because I think it would be very useful for people who are interested in asylum and refuge issues. I addressed more than 500 judgments. I send a book proposal to a well-known publisher. After only three hours she replied with a very frustrating answer. Obviously she does not know anything about refugee law. But she asked me one important question, how will I convert the thesis to a book? In fact I don't know how to do that???? So, should I publish the thesis as a book or as articles? If I chose to publish it as a book, how to convert it to a book?

Thank you all :)

Thank you all the viva is one of the greatest events, if not the greatest event, in a PhD candidate's life. The night before the viva I could sleep very well, but the night after I couldn't. All the night I was thinking about the viva, the questions and the positive words of the jury members. I hope soon all of you pass this great event

Thank you Silverlining. I want to thank this forum and all the kind persons who helped me in any manner, sending articles or giving advice.

Thank you all. My university is in Switzerland. The university of Geneva.

Hello all,

Finally I defended my thesis yesterday. It is in human rights law.
The defence lasted about two and half hours. It started with a presentation for 20 min. Then each member of the jury had 30 min to ask. In the first few seconds I was really stressed. I started to talk but I really did not know what I said. Then I concentrated on my presentation and every things went well. My husband and my friends told me they did not notice the problem in the first seconds.
The members of the jury did not ask any of the questions I had prepared. Some of the questions were really hard. I gave clear and short answers and supports my views with examples. I was not really satisfied with my replies because I considered them as general information that any doctor in human rights knows. But my fellow students told me I was great.
My closest friend was setting near me so when I needed encouragement, I looked at her. This helped me to relax. The jury members were very friendly. They gave me positive comments on the thesis from the first moments which is unusual. I left the rome for 30 min then the jury called me with the audience and announced that I passed with grade "tres bien" or very good.
My main advice, knonw the weakness of your thesis because the questions would be about them and rely on your mide to reply.

Good luck all

Thank you all for your replies. I passed with minor corrections, with grade "tres bien". It was a great long day. I will write the story of my viva today or tomorrow. Good luck all

Wellcome to the forum ClariaN. I am sure this forum is the right place.

Good luck

Many thanks Silverlining and Lude for your replies. I do practice in front of the mirror and record my presentation :). 41 hours remaining ...

Yes Hazy I did discusion with a fellow student and it was very good but he does not read my thesis so his questions were general.

Many thanks glowworm for you reply. I am studying in Switzerland and I think the system here is similar to that in the UK. I can take my dissertation and whatever document, conventions, statistices I might need in the defence. I am really panicking :)

Hello all,

My viva is on Thursday and I cannot remember the details of my thesis. It is in human rights law and it is 300 pages. There are a lot of details I am reading it but I doubt I would remember any of them. Is it normal?

Many thanks Aisling. I asked my superviser about those typos. She told me don't worry about them because even if the jury noticed them, they would not mention that in the defence. That seems good

Dear, I had my twins in the last year of my PhD. My supervisor and the dean are great ladies. They gave me an extention for one year. I am preparing for my defence now with my twins running around me. I think it is the greatest feelings you may have.