Publication

A thesis is a research document. It is a record of the research that the student conducted while completing a graduate degree. Given the research and education mandate of Canada's publicly funded universities, it is expected that the results of this research will be made publicly available.

Publishing of the Thesis
Reference: Procedures of Thesis Examinations and Final Submission

The University requires that successful graduate theses be made available through Western University's Open Repository. The thesis will be published electronically at the conclusion of the degree process and will be available globally via the World Wide Web.

At the same time, the University recognizes that the student is the author of the thesis, and retains copyright and control interests in the material.

Note: Students should be conscious of the implications of electronic publication in the digital context: material is accessible to any interested party, academic and non-academic. The record should also be understood to be permanently available – once published electronically, it can be withdrawn from Western University's Open Repository, but digital copies will inevitably persist. Students engaging in thesis preparation and research should be mindful of electronic publication and availability as an endpoint of their research. Supervisors, equally, have a responsibility to be acquainted with the implications of electronic publication and advise their students accordingly.

The candidate is asked to permit the release of the thesis to be used for research and also to sign a form to allow the non-exclusive right to reproduce or loan copies of the thesis in microform, paper, or electronic formats. The term "non-exclusive license" means that the author retains the copyright of the thesis and can seek other forms of publication.  

Delay of Publication

In certain cases, a delay of publication may be appropriate. If you need to delay publication of your thesis or dissertation, you can indicate an automatic “delay of publication”, for up to two years, on your work. This option will block your work from public access after your successful examination and final submission. This process is available as part of Western University's Open Repository submission process. You can indicate this request within the metadata of your thesis submission. When the “delay of publication” expires, you can be granted a one-year extension through a written request to the Thesis Coordinator.

SGPS recommends that you speak to your supervisor(s) if you have any questions regarding a delay of publication on your thesis.

Upon final approved submission, the work is published to Western University's Open Repository, pending any requests for a delay of publication.  This repository is publicly accessible, permitting free access to the work.  

Continued Access to Western University's Open Repository

You will be able to view your thesis in Western University's Open Repository following its publication. Simply search the collection of ETDs.

You can continue to use Western University's Open Repository with access to any collections, including the Digital Theses collection.

For general information and news about Western University's Open Repository or help using your account and using the site, please visit uwo.scholaris.ca.