Academic events
Public defences
A public defence, i.e. a public examination of a doctoral thesis, is a ceremonial occasion that follows academic traditions. During the proceedings the doctoral student defends the results of their doctoral thesis against public criticism and answers questions presented by the opponent. The course of the public defense is supervised by the custos, i.e. chairperson.
The proceedings follow a strict protocol and dress code. The audience comprises of colleagues in the field as well as close relatives and friends of the doctoral student. Customarily the defence takes approximately two hours. Afterwards, doctoral students usually offer refreshments to the audience. A remote or hydrid format defence is also possible.
The post-doctoral party, or "karonkka" marks the end of the doctoral thesis process and is arranged by the doctoral student to thank the opponent, the custos and others who contributed to the work.
Public defence at Aalto University
Instructions for planning and arranging public defences (for doctoral student and custos)
![Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_6_288w_180h_d/public/2023-05/Aalto_Lisa%CC%88_Kuvitukset_Podium_Vaaka.jpg?itok=ojOiIr3b)
Upcoming public defences
![Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_8_444w_247h_d/public/2023-05/Aalto_Lisa%CC%88_Kuvitukset_Podium_Vaaka.jpg?h=98d0264f&itok=a3YBZjkk)
Public defence in Electronics integration and reliability, M.Sc. Ayesha Kousar
Role of interface and different forms of carbon nanostructures in controlling electrochemical neurotransmitter sensingPublic defence in Automation and Control Engineering, M.Sc. Rakshith Subramanya
Exploiting distributed energy resources with a virtual power plant: Intelligent market participation based on forecasts (title of the thesis)![A majestic California buckeye, or horse-chestnut, on the top of the hill along the Stanford Dish hiking trail](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_8_444w_247h_d/public/2024-06/Stanford_tree_20210329_PB.jpg?h=ab5f34af&itok=wsuOXfq1)
Public defence in Acoustics and Speech Technology, Lic.Sc.(Tech.) Péter Pál Boda
Success of healthcare in the new data-driven era might largely depend on digital health solutions and the experiences they offer to patients.![Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_8_444w_247h_d/public/2023-05/Aalto_Lisa%CC%88_Kuvitukset_Podium_Vaaka.jpg?h=98d0264f&itok=a3YBZjkk)