The DBA viva is more than just an academic milestone—it’s the culmination of years of dedication, critical thinking, and personal growth. At Grenoble Ecole de Management, it marks a transformative moment in the doctoral journey, one that is both reflective and forward-looking.
We asked four recent DBA graduates to share their viva experience and offer advice on how they prepared for the viva. Their stories reveal thoughtful strategies, emotional highs, and valuable insights for those who are about to take this important step themselves.
Federico Perillo: “Embrace the moment”
“Defending my Doctoral thesis and preparing for the viva was one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life.”
Federico approached his viva with a sense of calm and celebration.
“The night before, I felt surprisingly relaxed… I knew there would be moments of nervousness—questions I might not expect and the deliberations afterward—but I tried not to let fear take over.”
His preparation was both practical and personal.
“One of the most helpful things during my defense was showing the tools I used—data analysis, interviews, coding—and explaining how these led to my findings and contributions.”
He also took care to personalize his presentation:
“I customized the template to bring a personal touch… I think that helped me feel more connected to the work I was presenting.”
His advice?
“Really enjoy the moment… Don’t stress too much about every little detail… The defense wasn’t just a formality; it was a celebration of everything I had accomplished.”
Nik Lewis: “Tell the story you want the world to know”
Nik focused on crafting a narrative that would connect broadly:
“I studied how emotional intelligence skills could be used to academically motivate employed students in California… I focused on the part of my results which had not been studied before such as the psychological stress that employed students are experiencing.”
She prepared with clarity in mind:
“The most important part of my viva preparation was being able to share something new that was accessible to more than just researchers and practitioners—it could be understood by anyone.”
When it came to the Q&A session, Nik combined preparation with self-confidence:
“I was provided with some questions that might be asked and I thoroughly prepared… What I told myself about the other questions... is that there was no better person to answer... than the person who conducted the entire project—me!”
Her advice?
“Tell the story that you want the world to know!”
Jasmin Haas: “Approach the viva as a conversation”
Jasmin’s preparation was detailed and collaborative.
“I thoroughly revisited my thesis… I anticipated potential questions… and practiced summarizing my research concisely and confidently, alone and with peers.”
She credits her DBA peers, family, and friends for helping sharpen her message:
“The DBA community, alongside my friends and family, helped me sharpen my presentations (I had like 12 versions until the final was genuinely final).”
Jasmin also spent time reflecting on the practical value of her work:
“I asked myself what the practical implications of my research?!”
Her advice?
“Approach the viva as a conversation, not an interrogation. Be prepared to defend your work, but stay open to criticism. Know your thesis inside and out, especially the rationale behind your choices. Finally, remember that you’re the expert on your topic—trust your knowledge and speak with confidence.”
Evelyn Shimmel: “Tell the story of your research.”
Evelyn took a structured, consistent approach:
“It was important to reread my thesis… focusing on the decisions I made along the journey.”
She rehearsed frequently:
“I recorded myself and listened to the playback… I also practiced using Teams, as it is not an application I am familiar with.”
She revisited her sources and remained thoughtful about presentation tone:
“I revisited the most significant scholars I cited.”
Her jury, she said, helped create a positive environment:
“My jury was interested in how I conducted the research and the reasons and significance behind some insights. They made me feel very comfortable and respected for the work I had done. At some point, I started enjoying the interaction.”
Her advice?
“Don’t forget to thank the evaluators… Don’t expect to be examined; instead, anticipate discussing the main concepts of your research with scholars who have read your work.”
Final Thoughts
The DBA viva is often described as a final test—but for our alumni, it was more than that. It was a conversation, a celebration, and a personal achievement they will never forget.
Whether you’re designing your slides, revisiting your methodology, or preparing for challenging questions, remember: you are the expert on your research. Be proud, be prepared, and as Federico reminded us, “embrace the moment.”
- DBA
