It is the Research and Education Board and the Artistic Research and Education Board that clarify what applies, which is in line with directives from the Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ for its Swedish name, Universitetskanslersämbetet).

• Doctoral thesis defences are to be public
  Normally, this means that audiences should be able to attend physically. If the auditorium is kept closed to the public to prevent spreading infection, the public is to be able to follow the defence/seminar digitally.  UKÄ also writes that higher education institutions should provide spaces with equipment where the public can take part in the public defence digitally. This is because not all interested parties have the necessary technical conditions or knowledge to take part in the public defence using their own computers.
• The doctoral student must be present in the auditorium.
  
• Opponent and members of the grading committee
  They can participate via link (Zoom) if travel and other quarantine restrictions make it impossible for them to come to the university. If it is necessary to replace an opponent or a member of the committee, a decision on a replacement can be made on short notice. 

These guidelines are valid until further notice, for as long as there are restrictions. The occasions affected in the near future are Babak Nemat's licentiate seminar on 3 April and Sina Seipel's public defence on 7 April, which will take place without an audience in the hall.

It is the Department or the doctoral programme that is responsible for arranging any needed links, with the support of the university's Campus Facilities and Sustainability Office.

Read the directive in its entirety  (In Swedish)

Text: Lina Färm
Photo: Suss Wilén
Translation: Eva Medin