How are defences and research training affected by Covid-19?
How are thesis defences affected by Covid-19?
How is the annual follow-up affected by Covid-19?
Ytterligare information
This text was updated 2022-01-14.
How are thesis defences affected by Covid-19?
The Research Training Committee at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy (KUF) has on 2021-12-30 revised the Guidelines for Research Training at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy. As of 2022-01-01, the following therefore applies:
When should doctoral thesis defences at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy be conducted remotely?
We follow the central guidelines of Uppsala University and the recommendations of the Swedish Public Health Agency.
A thorough investigation at the university was carried out by legal experts during the autumn. It showed that a dissertation, unlike previous interpretations, should not be considered a public gathering or public event even though the public is welcome. Due to this, the Swedish Public Health Agency's specific restrictions for these types of events will not be mandatory. The general guidelines, though, must, of course, be taken into account.
However, please note that a limited number of people in the rooms and lecture halls must be taken into account at Uppsala University for the sake of not spreading any infection.
When can doctoral thesis defences at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy be conducted remotely?
According to the revised guidelines from 2022-01-01, a doctoral thesis defence at the disciplinary domain can be partially carried out remotely, as described below.
What applies to remote doctoral thesis defences at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy?
- According to the revised guidelines from 2022-01-01, a doctoral thesis defence can be partially carried out remotely if there are particular reasons. In that case, the Research Training Committee must be informed of the plans by e-mail to kuf@uadm.uu.se.
- Both the PhD student and the chair must be present physically in the same room, a room that belongs to Uppsala University. The opponent and the examining board can participate via video link.
- As doctoral thesis defences are public, an audience should always be given the opportunity to attend physically. If it is conducted remotely, the audience should also be given the opportunity to participate remotely.
- Doctoral thesis defences must be carried out in an infection-proof manner. The chair of the thesis defence is responsible for that by, for example, ensuring that the size of the room is sufficient, that everyone keeps their distance, that hand sanitiser is available, etc.
- The central guidelines of Uppsala University and recommendations of the Swedish Public Health Agency must always be followed.
Who is responsible for the costs if a doctoral thesis defence has to be postponed?
The financial responsibility for any postponed doctoral thesis defences and associated costs lies with the department where the doctoral student is employed.
How is the annual follow-up affected by Covid-19?
The Covid-19 pandemic may have a significant impact on the ability of PhD students to pursue their research training.
There are many different reasons why you, as a PhD student, have not been able to do it per your individual study plan. Perhaps you did not have access to research material, were not able to attend conferences and therefore could not publish according to plan, were not able to participate in planned courses, or otherwise prevented from following your plan. You may also have had to prioritise work in healthcare, and therefore have not had time for your research studies at all.
In the annual revision of your study plan, you and your supervisor need to document any special needs for support or prolongation. Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we recommend you document if your study plan has not been affected by Covid-19 as well.
Significant changes in the individual study plan (which must also include a research plan and timetable) must be approved by the Research Training Committee. For example, a change of supervisors, extensive changes in the schedule or activity level of the education, or the doctoral thesis defence has to be postponed for more than six months. Significant changes like that are documented and recorded by the Research Training Committee after appr.
Minor revisions, such as the cancellation or change of courses or conferences, do not need to be submitted to the Research Training Committee but should be documented and recorded at the department.
More information
Information is continuously provided to concerned PhD students and departments.
For more information, please contact Professor Anders Backlund, Deputy Dean for Research Training, or KUF - Research Training Committee.