ABSTRACT
Part of an international comparative study, the chapter describes and analyses the specifics of the PhD defence as a culmination of doctoral studies at Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria. First, the regulatory framework concerning doctoral education at national and institutional levels is presented. It is then followed by analysis of pre-defence semi-structured interviews with the members of the so-called ‘scientific jury’, the supervisor and the PhD candidate, a detailed ethnographic observation of the dissertation defence, and an analysis of the post-defence semi-structured interviews with the same ‘actors’. The analysis sheds light on various aspects of the defence, such as how the participants prepare for it, what the role of the supervisor who is not an examiner and does not have a vote at the final oral exam and their relations with the candidate are. The significance of the ‘internal defence’ which takes place within the department where the PhD programme is taught is also dwelled on. The defence itself is a public event with certain celebratory elements, preceded by publishing all five reviews (two long and three short ones) provided by the jury members and an abstract of the dissertation in Bulgarian and (most often) in English on the university website at least two weeks in advance. The defence finishes with awarding the title of ‘PhD’ by the chairperson of the jury.
