Confidentiality of PhD Theses in the UK

"The 2010 survey has revealed that, contrary to expectations, the number of requests to restrict access to PhD theses has not increased significantly since the original survey in 2004. It is evident from the survey that UK universities take requests seriously, with few being declined. But at the same time, there was a markedly reduced tendency to impose the maximum allowable embargo period compared to the 2004 survey, with the duration instead being determined much more on a case-by-case basis....The most frequently cited reason for requesting an embargo on a PhD thesis, in both the 2004 and 2010 surveys, is that of protecting “commercial interests”. It was anticipated therefore that the advent of electronic submission and access to PhD theses (substantially widening access to them) would increase the perceived need for confidentiality. However, the 2010 survey found that electronic submission and access has not yet reached the point of being standard practice across UK universities, and this may provide an explanation for the static number of requests for confidentiality being received. Electronic access to doctoral theses is nevertheless a reality, and UK universities should consider viable alternatives to placing an embargo on the whole thesis document; an approach that conflicts with the ethos of free and open access to research. This report identifies some emerging solutions, including the creation of “embargoed appendices”, placing embargoes on the electronic (but not the Library) copy of theses, or the adoption of a portfolio approach to presenting doctoral research, similar to that often used for the professional doctorates...."