A Doctor came out!
He, he, from someone who has tried it, I can now say that a Ph.D. defense is not that bad, after all. Perhaps because it took place with massive symphathy emanating from an audience of almost only familiar faces: friends, family, colleagues from DIAC and KUA, old students. It definitely had something to do with the very nice evaluation committee (Klaus Bruhn Jensen, Cynthia Haynes and Jonathan Dovey) who had lots of humouristic remarks and who probed me gently to think more carefully about aspects of my work where I had been too unclear or imprecise. Most of the questions they gave me were related to form, manner of presentation, argument, methodology and fuzzy concepts. All relevant and pertinent. But it seemed also that they had no major objections against or severe criticism of the content of the thesis as such and they recommended me to think about publishing it after some revision :). Hence the "examination" after the presentation felt more like what I think it should be like; a fruitful dialogue with very clever people who want to help you improve your work and thoughts.

After the defense and the examination which all in all lasted a little more than 3 hours (approx 50 mins presentation and 100 mins questions), it did not take the commitee too long to come back to me and present me with the final paper recommending I be awarded the degree of Ph.D. This happened at the reception next door to the room where the defense had taken place. A colleague videofilmed this precious moment (some 6 MB).

Oh, and I think the best comment I got regarding my presentation was from my older sister, who exclaimed: "Now I finally understand what you are doing!".

Finally, in all modesty I'm rather proud to be the first female Ph.D. graduating from the IT University (three males, so far). I believe this fact in particular would have pleased my mother, who was one of the very first female veterinarians to graduate from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhagen in the early 1950's. It's a good family tradition we have going, I think ;).

Going offline for a bit of relaxation and a coffee with Susana and Torill. It feels a bit like someone ran me over with a steam engine during the night.
# posted by Lisbeth at: 12:40