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University of Washington Information School

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Doctorate in Information Science

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Proposal Defense

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  4. Proposal Defense

Purpose

The purpose of the dissertation proposal defense is to assure that your plan of researching your proposed research question is complete and holds academic merit. Students work closely with their supervisory committees in determining the composition of the dissertation proposal and in writing the proposal.

Process

At least six weeks prior to the dissertation proposal defense, the candidate contacts Student Services to confirm the members of their supervisory committee. This would include the addition of a non-University of Washington external faculty member if previously agreed upon.

The candidate schedules a date, a time, and a room for the dissertation proposal defense. The candidate also submits details regarding the dissertation proposal defense to the iSchool web calendar, the PhD program chair, and Student Services.

At least two weeks before the scheduled proposal defense date, the final written proposal must be submitted to all members of the supervisory committee. The voting members of the committee, in consultation with the student, determine the length and outline the structure of the defense.

The proposal defense is a public event. However, the deliberations of the supervisory committee are private. The supervisory committee records an official decision using the dissertation proposal defense form.

Once the proposal has been defended and accepted, the candidate is cleared to finish writing the dissertation. The candidate submits one paper copy and one PDF version of the dissertation proposal to Student Services.

More Information

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News

Images of Jason Young, Itza Carbajal, Belén Saldías and Pelle Tracey.

Four scholars to join the Information School faculty

Thursday, July 3, 2025
The University of Washington Information School faculty welcomes four colleagues to their ranks for the start of the 2025-26 academic year. These scholars will inform the School’s mission, supporting research as well as undergraduate and...
Read more
Mike Labrador gives Quest's pitch

Informatics students present startup idea at Husky PitchFest

Friday, June 27, 2025
Coming up with a startup idea is the first step for a hopeful entrepreneur. The next steps are development and eventually pitching to investors. The 2025 Husky PitchFest provided an opportunity for iSchool students to take that leap and...
Read more

Events

Jul 9
 
7:00-7:45PM

iSchool Read-Alongs Series: July

Online
Jul 20
 
5:00-7:00PM

UW Law Librarianship Reunion

Rontom's
Jul 26
 
10:00-11:30AM

iSchool Day at the Museum

Jul 26
 
10:00-11:30AM

iSchool Community Day at the Museum

Wing Luke Museum
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