The post-doctoral party (in Finnish: karonkka) is held on the evening of the defence in honour of the opponent. You act as the host of the evening. This page covers the key practices of the party: who to invite, how to word the invitation, the dress code, seating arrangements and how speeches and response speeches proceed. At the end of the page, you will also find practical tips for organising the event.
The post-doctoral party
The post-doctoral party is a long-standing and valued academic tradition. It is usually held on the evening of the defence day in honour of the opponent, and you act as the host. You may choose the venue according to your own budget. If you wish to hold the party in university premises, the booking is subject to a fee (see University venues and their rent list). It is worth asking colleagues and acquaintances for tips on suitable venues.
The post-doctoral party is your opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in your dissertation work. You should invite at least the opponent, the custos and your supervisors. The traditional format of an academic party is described below, but you are free to organise the evening in your own way.
Invitation
Traditionally, guests were not invited until after the public defence, once the opponent had announced their intention to recommend the dissertation for approval. Nowadays, however, invitations are sent in advance. It is considered good etiquette to ask the opponent before the defence whether you may begin preparations for the post-doctoral party. The invitation may also be sent electronically.
In addition to the opponent and the custos, the following persons are typically invited:
- your dissertation supervisors
- the preliminary examiners
- co-authors
- other individuals who have clearly contributed to the creation of your dissertation or significantly supported your research journey.
Your spouse or partner, parents or close friends may also be among those invited. However, the post-doctoral party is not a family or extended family celebration.
According to an old tradition, members of the audience who posed questions or comments during the public defence – known as “extra opponents” – were invited to the party, but by unwritten convention they politely declined the invitation.
You may word the invitation as you wish, but make sure it includes:
- the time and venue
- the dress code
- the RSVP date
- a request to indicate any dietary requirements.
If it is customary in your discipline, you may mention in the invitation that you would like guests to purchase a dinner ticket for the party. However, a reference to dinner tickets must not be included in the invitations sent to the opponent, the custos or your supervisors.
Dress code
There are traditionally three dress code options for the post-doctoral party:
- White tie: tailcoat with a white waistcoat, or a full-length evening gown in black or a subdued colour. Indicated on the invitation as “white tie” (in Finnish: juhlapuku).
- Dark suit: a dark suit, or a knee-length formal dress. Indicated on the invitation as “dark suit” (in Finnish: tumma puku).
- Other dress code: you may also choose another option but note that casual attire is generally not appropriate for a post-doctoral party.
Seating arrangement
As the person who defended, you are the host of the evening, and the opponent is the guest of honour. The seating arrangement is as follows:
- The opponent (guest of honour) sits on your right.
- The custos sits on your left.
- If there are two opponents, the so-called junior opponent sits on your left and the custos moves one seat further to the left.
- Other guests are seated after them, generally in order of academic seniority.
Programme
Food and drinks are served at the post-doctoral party, and there may also be other entertainment. Before the meal begins, you welcome the guests.
Speeches
Speeches are given after the meal and before coffee. Keep each individual speech of thanks reasonably short, approximately two to three minutes. Your speeches follow this order:
- The opponent. Thank the opponent first. You may conclude your speech by saying, for example: “Let us raise a glass to my esteemed opponent, [name]!”
- The custos. Thank the custos next.
- Other contributors. Thank others who assisted in your work in order of importance, such as supervisors, co-authors and the research group.
- Those closest to you. Finally, thank those closest to you personally, such as your spouse or partner or other loved ones.
If you thank, for example, the opponent, the custos, both supervisors, co-authors collectively, the wider research group, friends as a group and your family, you will have given a total of eight speeches lasting approximately 20 minutes altogether. After this, the response speeches begin.
Response speeches
Response speeches follow the same order in which you mentioned the guests in your speeches:
- The opponent responds first. The tone of the speech is usually light yet appropriate.
- The custos speaks next.
- Other guests respond in the order in which you mentioned them.
It is very considerate to inform guests about the speeches in advance – for example, already in the invitation – especially those who are not familiar with the tradition of academic speeches. You may also let your colleagues know beforehand that you will thank them in your speech and that they may respond jointly if they wish – not every member of the research group needs to give an individual response speech.
After the speeches, the atmosphere may become more relaxed with free conversation, music or other entertainment. Guests may leave at this point if they wish. You may also move to a more informal after-party venue at the guests’ own expense.
Tips for organising the post-doctoral party
The better you inform your guests, the more comfortable and relaxed everyone will feel about participating in your big day. This applies especially to invited guests who are not familiar with academic traditions. You may include with your invitation, for example:
- additional information about the dress code
- gift suggestions
- a map to the venue
- accommodation recommendations near the defence day venues for those travelling from further away.
Careful communication with your guests in advance and delegating the details of the arrangements to those close to you who offer to help – such as drawing up the seating plan – will free you to focus on what matters most during the week of your defence: preparing your thoughts.