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Publish and promote your research
As a researcher, you will want to promote your work and build professional standing. We can support you throughout this process.
Higher degree by research student profile
We encourage you to create a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Student Profile. This profile provides the opportunity to showcase your work and raise your professional standing.
Find out more about creating your HDR student profile.
Restricting access to your thesis
All candidates who are awarded an HDR degree at the University are required to lodge a copy of their final accepted thesis with the University Library where it will be made available for either local (University of Sydney staff and students) or open access. There may be circumstances where there is an embargo on release for all or part of the thesis for a limited time period.
For example, if your work:
- contains confidential material
- is dependent on intellectual property that could be misused by others
- includes content that may put your interests at risk.
You should talk to your supervisor early in your candidature if this is the case. In order to move forward with restricted access, depending on the reason for your request, you’ll need further approval from within your faculty and the Graduate Studies Committee (see details below).
Restricting access to confidential material
Confidential material can be stored in an appendix separate to your main thesis file. Access to this appendix can be restricted for up to 5 years, while the main thesis is available for public use. To do this, you’ll need to make a request in writing to the Dean and get approval from Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee of the Academic Board. You’ll be asked about this when you complete your Notice of intent to submit on RECS. This process must be completed prior to lodgement of your thesis with the Library. Changes cannot be made after lodgement. You may contact the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC) for enquiries.
Restricting access to protect intellectual property
If your thesis reports work that has been conducted collaboratively with industry, and there’s a documented basis for concern that intellectual property contained in your thesis will be improperly exploited by others access, you can request an embargo of up to 18 months. To request an embargo, you’ll need to do this on RECS when you are filling out the form to submit your final thesis. The request will then flow through for approval to the Associate Dean (Research Education) and the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee of the Academic Board (if applicable). Evidence must also be presented to justify this claim, e.g. negotiations to submit a patent, or a letter requesting the restriction from the industrial partner.
Restricting access to protect your interests as the author
If there is a risk to your interests as author if your thesis is released, you can request an embargo of up to 18 months. To request an embargo, you’ll need to do this on RECS when you are filling out the form to submit your final thesis. The request will then flow through for approval to the Associate Dean (Research Education) and the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee of the Academic Board (if applicable). You also must provide evidence to support your claim. Embargoes of this nature most commonly occur where material is under review for publication elsewhere and there is evidence to support this e.g. a publishing contract. However, an embargo may also be requested for other documented cultural, legal or personal reasons. Examples could include ongoing legal proceedings, the death of a key participant in the study and a subsequent period of mourning, or the candidate applying for a job where immediate release of the thesis might be undesirable. It’s important to remember that your thesis will be made available for use when the approved embargo period expires.
Copyright
It’s important you understand the legal implications of copyright in relation to your research and written work. This includes how you should use the research and publications of others.
Read the Library's guide to copyright.
Intellectual property
If your research has resulted in the creation of something unique, intellectual property rights allow you to secure ownership of your concepts.
Commercial Development and Industry Partnerships (CDIP) manages intellectual property at the University and can provide you with information and advice.
Last updated: 15 March 2024
