The post-doctoral party, karonkka, is an old academic tradition. Karonkka takes place in the evening of the public examination (also called public defence). The post-doctoral party is held in the honour of the opponent. You act as the host of the party.
You can decide the venue for the party. Choose a place that fits your budget. Ask for information on great locations such as cabinets in restaurant or event ball rooms in town from senior colleagues who have hosted a post-doctoral party. Based on the university’s instructions, a reservation at the university premises is subject to a charge. Reservation forms and price lists are available at Facilities of the University of Eastern Finland | University of Eastern Finland (uef.fi).
Invitations to the post-doctoral party
Traditionally, invitations to the post-doctoral party were not sent before the opponent had given their verbal statement of approval to expect the research work as doctoral dissertation. Nowadays, however, invitations to the post-doctoral party are sent in advance. It is customary to contact the opponent before the public examination to ask whether they deem it possible for you to start the party arrangements.
An invitation to the post-doctoral party should be sent, not only to the opponent and the custos, but also to the supervisor, pre-examiners and co-authors, as well as to anyone else who has clearly contributed to the dissertation or supported your journey in a meaningful way. Your partner, parents or close friends can also be included in the guest list. However, the post-doctoral party is not a family gathering but rather, an academic celebration.
It used to be customary to also invite the persons from the audience who asked questions or made comments during the public examination but, according to an unwritten rule, they needed to decline the invitation to to the post-doctoral party. Today, as the party is arranged well in advance (including seating arrangements), this tradition has not been upheld.
You may formulate the wording of the invitation freely but respectfully. It needs to indicate the dress code, especially if you prefer the guests not to wear tailcoats and evening dresses or wish to suggest alternative styles of dress. In addition, if it is customary in your discipline/faculty, you can mention to your guests the purchase of a dinner card for the post-doctoral party (to cover costs). However, do not request the dinner card in the invitations to the opponent, custos, and supervisors as you will cover their costs.
Dress code
The usual dress code for the post-doctoral party is a tailcoat or an evening dress. The traditional colour used in academic celebrations is black, but other dark colours have also become common. The dress code should be clearly indicated in the invitation.
A ‘dress suit’ in the invitation refers to a long evening dress in black or other dark colour or to a tailcoat with a white waistcoat.
A ‘dark suit’ in the invitation refers to a short, formal dress in black or other dark colour or a dark suit.
You may also choose a dress code that differs from traditions. Communicate it clearly in the invitations. Nevertheless, the post-doctoral party maintains the academic traditions and formal celebration of research accomplishments. As such, it is a festive occasion where everyone should dress accordingly, i.e., not casually.
Seating
You are the host of the evening, and the opponent is the guest of honour. The guest of honour sits on your right. The custos, on the other hand, sits on your left. If there are two opponents, the younger will sit on your left and the custos in the next place to the left. Other guests are usually seated in the order of their academic achievements.
Programme and academic speeches
You will offer food, drinks and possibly other entertainment as well. The dinner will be served after you have welcomed everyone to the party.
The core of the party are the traditional, academic speeches. Speeches should not be given until after the dinner and before the coffee. You should begin the line of speeches by first thanking the opponent. At the end of your speech, you can suggest a toast “Let us raise our glasses to my honourable Opponent, N.N.!” Next, you thank the custos. After, you continue thanking everyone who have contributed to the dissertation, in the order of importance. Finally, you thank those who are or is the closest to you (e.g.., your partner or family).
Your thank you speeches should be kept rather short (2–3 minutes is appropriate). For example, you give a speech to the opponent, custos, both supervisors, one of the pre-examiners who RSVPed your invitation, your research group as a whole, your friendship group, your family of origin, and your partner. That is nine speeches making it a total of, e.g., 25 minutes. Then the responses begin. (Why is this relevant? The kitchen staff / catering service needs an estimation of how long will it be before the coffee can be served.)
When you have finished your round of speeches, the opponent will first reply to your speech. The opponent’s response is usually light and informal, not too festive or serious. Should the custos like to say a few words, they can do so after the opponent has finished. After, the guests can say a few words in the order they were mentioned in your speech. It is polite to inform your guests beforehand who may not be familiar with this tradition, for example, in your invitation. If you plan to thank them, let them know that they have a chance to say a few words: The speech should be related to your academic journey and not last more than a couple of minutes.
After the speeches, the party takes a more informal turn and the guests can enjoy the music, each others’ company, etc. The guests may leave after the coffee and speeches. Depending on the venue, you may also move to a different place to continue the evening with each other in a more informal setting.
Additional tips
The better your guests are informed the better the celebration will be. Your guests are free from uncertainty about what to wear to the public examination and to the party, they know what is going to take place, and where. You can send an attachment with the invitation listening some accommodation options nearby and a map directing to the venue.
The week of the public defence can be hectic and you will want to treat yourself with time to focus or prepare, take it all in, sleep and eat well, go for walks, etc. Say yes to your trusted people’s offers to lend a helping hand, for example, to decorate the booked party venue or draw a map of the seating arrangements. You will do great – congratulations and thank you for your contribution to research!