Thanks for the feedback so far. For clarification, I understand that most US PhDs allow if not encourage externals on the Advisory Committee. I am specifically interested in situations in design and related areas where the final assessment of the dissertation requires someone to read and evaluate the disser- ration who has not encountered the research or the researcher throughout the process of the production of the research - so an external final examiner rather than an external advisor from the beginning. Cameron ----------------------------------------------------------------- PhD-Design mailing list <[log in to unmask]> Discussion of PhD studies and related research in Design Subscribe or Unsubscribe at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/phd-design -----------------------------------------------------------------