And then he threatened to kill himself: nightmare viva stories as opportunities for learning

Abstract

Purpose: In the UK and countries following similar systems of doctoral assessment, there is little research-based evidence about what goes on in vivas. However, “doctoral assessment ‘horror stories’”, abound. The purpose of this paper is to report a study focussing on difficult doctoral examining experiences and argue that sharing such stories can provide a useful basis for examiner and supervisor education. Design/methodology/approach: The study took a narrative auto/biographical approach. Findings: The stories participants told show that doctoral examining is relational, emotional and ethical work and that viva outcomes are strongly influenced by subjectivities. There was felt to be a need to share stories of difficulties in order to bring them into the open with a view to prompting transformational change. Research limitations/implications: Participants were self-selecting and all worked at the same institution. Originality/value: There are few accounts of examiners’ experiences of the viva.