Post-doctoral party, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies

Post-doctoral party

The post-doctoral party (in Finnish: karonkka) is a long-standing academic tradition in which the newly graduated doctoral candidate thanks the opponent, the custos, and others who contributed to the doctoral dissertation. However, organising a post-doctoral party is entirely voluntary, and you are free to arrange a celebration that suits you – or alternatively, take the opponent and custos out for dinner.

You pay for the post-doctoral party yourself, so you also decide on the scale of the celebration. If you wish, you can arrange for guests to contribute to the costs, for example by purchasing a dinner ticket.

Invitations

Send your invitations to the post-doctoral party well in advance. You can design the invitation as you wish, but always include the dress code so that your guests know what to wear.

Who to invite to the post-doctoral party?

• The opponent (the guest of honour)
• The custos
• Supervisors and others who contributed to the doctoral dissertation
• Professors whose field relates to your dissertation
• Family and friends, if you wish
  

If the public defence is held remotely

The post-doctoral party does not have to take place on the day of the defence – you can arrange it later. If the opponent cannot attend in person, it is courteous to thank them in your speech and offer them the opportunity to give a speech via a remote connection or as a video greeting.

Venue

You can hold the post-doctoral party at a restaurant, at home, or in any other suitable venue. Choose a venue that fits your budget and ask colleagues who have already defended for tips.

Dress code

Traditionally, the dress code for a post-doctoral party is a tailcoat with a white waistcoat or a full-length evening gown. An alternative to the tailcoat is a dark suit, in which case a cocktail dress replaces the evening gown. You may also deviate from tradition in your dress code – the most important thing is that you communicate your chosen dress code in the invitation.

Seating arrangement
The opponent sits to your right. If there are two opponents, they sit on either side of you.

• The custos sits to your left or opposite you.
• Other guests are usually seated in order of academic seniority.

Order of events at the post-doctoral party
Welcome your guests before the meal.

1. Speeches are given after the meal, usually before coffee.
2. Give your own speech, in which you thank the opponent and others who contributed to your work. If you wish to thank family members, mention them at the end of your speech.
3. The opponent responds with a speech – typically light-hearted but professional in tone.
4. The custos may give a speech if they wish.
5. Other guests speak in the order in which you mentioned them in your speech.

Keep speeches short, as tradition dictates that each speech is answered with a reply of equal length.

Academic tradition does not call for post-doctoral party gifts.