======= Date Modified 11 Jul 2011 08:53:06 =======
Did you, or do you plan to, have your supervisor/s sitting in your viva?

Yes or no?

Could you offer any advice as to the advantages and disadvantages of this?

I like my supervisor, know they are very, very keen to sit in but I can't really see any benefits apart from perhaps making the examiners take a softer approach with their questioning. A negative would be I can read my supervisors face very clearly which could be very off putting.

Hi Delta- this was a decision I made just last week when my sup asked if I would like her to be in my viva. It was an absolute no for me, because even though she wouldn't be allowed to say anything, she has a whole repertoire of facial expressions which convey her disgust, diapproval and impatience! And the sighs and rolling of the eyes would just be too much for me! I think it's a personal thing, but having my sup there would make me twice as nervous, and I think if that's the case, then why stress yourself out any more than you already are? I think you need to make yourself as comfortable as possible in your viva. Best, KB

my hubby had his sup there. I think this was because the sup wanted to be there and hubs didn't want to say no, and also because his external was from another country (the same as the sup's) and therefore if there were any language issues he could help with translation. ALthough I think hubby said he did pipe up during the viva, but only in the sense of "well my sup has done work on that isn't that right, sup?" kinda thing. Its hard to ignore someone who is sat with you in a room with 4 people in it! I also think, depending on the supervisor, that it would help make the examiners take a softer approach. e.g. when my hubs said "no I've done it like this because xyz" his sup then said "yes, this is convention in our field" type of thing. It may well be that he also came in because in their country, viva's are more publica affairs where you invite friends and family etc.

My sup has never gone into any of her supervisees vivas so I doubt she will with mine.

In my viva last week I had my uni sup in the viva with me.  He was sat away from the table and well out of my view so to be honest I didn't notice him (or the chair person) in the viva as the conversation was firmly between me and the examiners. I have got on very well with my uni sup throughout and had no hesitation in having him there. The benefits for me was having a friendly face on the day and for him to take notes of the conversations.  This was particularly useful when we were asked to leave for deliberations to take place as he could debrief me. I felt mine was ok, I defended some things better than others. He felt it went really well, so there is obviously different perspectives between being the candidate and the observer!  I have a small list of minor corrections for which I shall clarify with my sup about how to approach one aspect and as he was there too, he could offer some further insight/clarification for me.

Thanks all. I don't feel that strongly one way or another but you've all highlighted my thoughts! I think having a supervisor there could help the examiners toe the line but the last time my supervisor sat in on something they were in my line of vision (just) and although it was all positive (the constant head nodding) I found it quite distracting at the time.

Delta, you can request where the sup sits in your viva, ie in a corner behind you so that you are not seeing their nodding, expressions etc. Additionally if you find them distracting during the viva you can request that they be asked to leave!

That's good to know - thanks Dunni73.

I did and he ended up being quite proactive in the viva. I was warned by my predecessor that would happen.

They are supposed not to be involved, however, in practice I was told (and it turned out to be the case) that he would become involved in the viva. Nobody minded, external or internal. My only real frustration was I wanted to be able to answer some the questions without his occasional technical interventions (and reopened one question because I wanted to answer it myself - pre-prepared answer). That said, far be it from me to complain as it became clearer towards the end I was going to pass in some way shape or form anyway (full story on 'shortest and longest viva' thread - with unexpected comedy moments).

Yes, that's my understanding that they are not meant to get involved. I could almost guarantee my supervisor wouldn't. Conversation is definitely not a strong point. My supervisor is painfully quiet and actually if I thought they could help me with any difficulties I'd demand they be in the viva!