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Sharing Your Research
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.
Things to Consider Before Publication
Publishing your thesis in the Open Repository makes it more discoverable online and accessible to a global audience of readers. Although a thesis may later be withdrawn from Western University's Open Repository, digital copies may continue to exist elsewhere. Students should be mindful of these implications throughout the research and thesis preparation process. Supervisors also share responsibility for ensuring students understand the consequences of electronic publication. Students and supervisors should keep this in mind throughout the research and thesis preparation process.Publishing Your Thesis
As part of Western University's commitment to advancing research and knowledge, all successfully completed graduate theses are published through Western University's Open Repository. Following final approval, your thesis is made publicly available online, allowing researchers, students, and the broader community to access your work.
While the University facilitates publication and access, you remain the author of your thesis and retain copyright ownership of the work.
As part of the final submission process, you will be asked to:
- Authorize the release of your thesis for research purposes, making it available through Western University's Open Repository.
- Grant a non-exclusive licence permitting the reproduction or lending of your thesis in microform, paper, or electronic, and authorizing Library and Archives Canada to make it accessible online.
A non-exclusive licence means that you retain copyright to your thesis and remain free to pursue future publication opportunities, including journal articles, books, or other forms of dissemination based on your research.
For more information: Procedures of Thesis Examinations and Final Submission
Submitting Your Thesis to Western University's Open Repository
Once your thesis has been approved and you are ready to complete the final submission process, please refer to the Thesis & Dissertation Submission Guide for step-by-step instructions.
The guide includes information on:
- Logging in to the Open Repository
- Preparing your files for submission
- Completing required metadata fields
- Requesting a delay of publication (embargo)
- Uploading your thesis and supporting documents
- Finalizing your submission
For submission instructions, visit: Thesis & Dissertation Submission Guide - Western University Open Repository.
Note: The thesis submission process is managed through Western University's Open Repository. Students should consult the Repository guide for the most current submission requirements and instructions.
What Happens Next?
Once submitted, your manuscript is given a final review by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies:
- SGPS reviews your submission to ensure that the thesis meets final formatting and submission requirements.
- Any formatting issues or required revisions identified during the review will be communicated to you for correction.
- Once all requirements have been met, SGPS approves the submission.
- The thesis is published in Western University's Open Repository, unless a delay of publication (embargo) has been requested and approved.
- Your research becomes publicly available online, allowing researchers, students, and the broader public to access and cite your work.
- You can locate and view your published thesis by searching the Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) collection in Western University's Open Repository or using the Browse by Author menu option.
- If a delay of publication has been requested, access to the thesis will remain restricted until the embargo period expires.