Regarding posting records or repository entries for doctoral theses in progress.
I would never do this.
The PhD candidate's relationship to the thesis is complex, emotional, and fraught with frustration and desire. It is a monkey on one's back. To give it Internet publication and status as "yet to be completed" seems unnecessarily cruel. At what point is one said to have given up? Is there no return from writer's blockage? Are you putting additional hurdles in the way of a second chance at redemption. Further, the relief and joy on completion would be compromised and the surprise to the world diminished. Give the candidate a break, let them fail in obscurity or triumph with a grand entrance.
Note: I manage the submission of about 1000 masters theses and PhD dissertations into our repository annually at an institution far away across the sea. I am not familiar with the peculiarities of the UK system. But is is not unheard of for a candidate to be ABD here for more than 10 years, or to complete the dissertation after more than 20 in some rare cases. You will be creating "ghosts" of several varieties. Beware.

Paul Royster
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries -- Scholarly Communications
[log in to unmask]

Sent from my iPad

> On Dec 10, 2014, at 6:19 PM, JISC-REPOSITORIES automatic digest system <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> There are 5 messages totaling 485 lines in this issue.
> 
> Topics of the day:
> 
>  1. Recording theses in progress on repositories (4)
>  2. Job Vacancy - E-Repositories Manager
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Date:    Wed, 10 Dec 2014 10:58:01 +0000
> From:    Sue Turner <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Recording theses in progress on repositories
> 
> I have received a proposal to add a record to the University's research repository for each doctoral theses currently in progress. The University of Gloucestershire Research Repository uses Eprints.  My question is, does any other HEI promote awareness of doctoral theses in progress, either in the manner described above or using another approach? (I am aware that many HEIs record their doctoral supervisees on academic staff profiles via the HEI's web site and some of these entries give a brief indication of the research topic.) Is anyone aware of a reason not to disseminate information about theses in progess? 
> 
> The Research Repository record would contain a summary of the research at a mid-way point. On completetion of the doctoral programme and assuming the candidate is awarded a doctorate, this record would be updated/replaced by the standard record with full text digital thesis uploaded (subject to the usual FOIA exceptions). In the event that a candidate fails to complete their doctorate, the interim record would be removed as it would no longer be 'in progress'. 
> 
> 
> I'd welcome any information you are able to share, either through the list or directly to my email is [log in to unmask]
> 
> Thanks in anticipation,
> Sue Turner
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Date:    Wed, 10 Dec 2014 11:36:22 +0000
> From:    "Field A.N." <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Recording theses in progress on repositories
> 
> Hi Sue
> 
>    I can't think of any of our customers that do this, but a post to the EPrints User Group ( https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/eprints-uk-user-group ) might be another community of people to ask about this.
> 
>    I would say, on a technical level, that there are no real hurdles to this.  In fact, with EPrints' versioning capabilities, you could preserve both the mid-way state and the final thesis as separate linked records in your repository.
> 
> --
> Adam Field
> Business Relationship and Community Manager
> EPrints Services
> 
> 
> 
>> On 10 Dec 2014, at 10:58, Sue Turner wrote:
>> 
>> I have received a proposal to add a record to the University's research repository for each doctoral theses currently in progress. The University of Gloucestershire Research Repository uses Eprints.  My question is, does any other HEI promote awareness of doctoral theses in progress, either in the manner described above or using another approach? (I am aware that many HEIs record their doctoral supervisees on academic staff profiles via the HEI's web site and some of these entries give a brief indication of the research topic.) Is anyone aware of a reason not to disseminate information about theses in progess? 
>> 
>> The Research Repository record would contain a summary of the research at a mid-way point. On completetion of the doctoral programme and assuming the candidate is awarded a doctorate, this record would be updated/replaced by the standard record with full text digital thesis uploaded (subject to the usual FOIA exceptions). In the event that a candidate fails to complete their doctorate, the interim record would be removed as it would no longer be 'in progress'. 
>> 
>> 
>> I'd welcome any information you are able to share, either through the list or directly to my email is [log in to unmask]
>> 
>> Thanks in anticipation,
>> Sue Turner
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Date:    Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:02:54 +0000
> From:    Leslie Carr <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Recording theses in progress on repositories
> 
> Our department used to allow supervisors/students to upload their milestone documents (9-month report, upgrade thesis) as well as the final thesis.
> 
> Possibly one of the key distinctions would be whether the institution treats a phd as an education or a research process, and hence which committee gets to decide the policies. 
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On 10 Dec 2014, at 19:40, Field A.N. <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Sue
>> 
>>   I can't think of any of our customers that do this, but a post to the EPrints User Group ( https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/eprints-uk-user-group ) might be another community of people to ask about this.
>> 
>>   I would say, on a technical level, that there are no real hurdles to this.  In fact, with EPrints' versioning capabilities, you could preserve both the mid-way state and the final thesis as separate linked records in your repository.
>> 
>> --
>> Adam Field
>> Business Relationship and Community Manager
>> EPrints Services
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On 10 Dec 2014, at 10:58, Sue Turner wrote:
>>> 
>>> I have received a proposal to add a record to the University's research repository for each doctoral theses currently in progress. The University of Gloucestershire Research Repository uses Eprints.  My question is, does any other HEI promote awareness of doctoral theses in progress, either in the manner described above or using another approach? (I am aware that many HEIs record their doctoral supervisees on academic staff profiles via the HEI's web site and some of these entries give a brief indication of the research topic.) Is anyone aware of a reason not to disseminate information about theses in progess? 
>>> 
>>> The Research Repository record would contain a summary of the research at a mid-way point. On completetion of the doctoral programme and assuming the candidate is awarded a doctorate, this record would be updated/replaced by the standard record with full text digital thesis uploaded (subject to the usual FOIA exceptions). In the event that a candidate fails to complete their doctorate, the interim record would be removed as it would no longer be 'in progress'. 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I'd welcome any information you are able to share, either through the list or directly to my email is [log in to unmask]
>>> 
>>> Thanks in anticipation,
>>> Sue Turner
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Date:    Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:06:26 +0000
> From:    Helen Cooper <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Recording theses in progress on repositories
> 
> Hello All
> 
> We think this an interesting idea. It will mainly involve changes in workflow and the odd extra field.  It may also shift the responsibility for starting a record to the student or supervisor, (currently the graduate school office initiate the upload). This fits with our aim to raise research student awareness of self-archiving, Open Access, copyright etc.
> 
> Helen
> Repository Manager etc, UCLan
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>> On 10 Dec 2014, at 11:41, Field A.N. <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Sue
>> 
>>   I can't think of any of our customers that do this, but a post to the EPrints User Group ( https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/eprints-uk-user-group ) might be another community of people to ask about this.
>> 
>>   I would say, on a technical level, that there are no real hurdles to this.  In fact, with EPrints' versioning capabilities, you could preserve both the mid-way state and the final thesis as separate linked records in your repository.
>> 
>> --
>> Adam Field
>> Business Relationship and Community Manager
>> EPrints Services
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On 10 Dec 2014, at 10:58, Sue Turner wrote:
>>> 
>>> I have received a proposal to add a record to the University's research repository for each doctoral theses currently in progress. The University of Gloucestershire Research Repository uses Eprints.  My question is, does any other HEI promote awareness of doctoral theses in progress, either in the manner described above or using another approach? (I am aware that many HEIs record their doctoral supervisees on academic staff profiles via the HEI's web site and some of these entries give a brief indication of the research topic.) Is anyone aware of a reason not to disseminate information about theses in progess? 
>>> 
>>> The Research Repository record would contain a summary of the research at a mid-way point. On completetion of the doctoral programme and assuming the candidate is awarded a doctorate, this record would be updated/replaced by the standard record with full text digital thesis uploaded (subject to the usual FOIA exceptions). In the event that a candidate fails to complete their doctorate, the interim record would be removed as it would no longer be 'in progress'. 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I'd welcome any information you are able to share, either through the list or directly to my email is [log in to unmask]
>>> 
>>> Thanks in anticipation,
>>> Sue Turner
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Date:    Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:44:28 +0000
> From:    "Budden, Yvonne" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Job Vacancy - E-Repositories Manager
> 
> ** With apologies for cross posting **
> 
> Dear All,
> 
> I'm excited to let you know that we are currently advertising for an E-Repositories Manager:
> 
> E-Repositories Manager (1 x FTE, permanent)
> REF: 70011-124
> Department: Library, Scholarly Communications Division
> Salary: £28,695 - £37,394 pa
> Location: University of Warwick, Coventry
> Closing date for applications: 11 January 2015 (Interviews 23 January 2015)
> 
> This is an exciting and expanding role within the context of opportunities for Library service development in support of the new University Strategy and at a time when open access is of increasing national and international importance.  You will require professional, scholarly and some technical understanding together with strong interpersonal skills as the post involves close working with different partners across the University.  Knowledge and interest in the repository environment and scholarly communication issues are expected and will be critical in informing discussions with academic and administrative colleagues.  Priorities over the coming period will include further development of repository services for research data management, repository provision for taught courses and learning objects, and meeting HEFCE and other funder requirements around open access.
> 
> For more information and to apply<https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?owner=5062452&ownertype=fair&jcode=1448565&vt_template=1457&adminview=1>:  https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?owner=5062452&ownertype=fair&jcode=1448565&vt_template=1457&adminview=1
> 
> Informal enquiries can be made to me at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or +44 2476 1 51275
> 
> Please feel free to pass this on to anyone who might be interested in the role.
> 
> Best regards,
> Yvonne
> 
> Mrs Yvonne Budden,
> Scholarly Communications Manager, University of Warwick
> Chair: UK Council of Research Repositories<http://ukcorr.org/> (UKCoRR)
> 
> Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> | Tel: +44 2476 1 51275 | University of Warwick Library, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry. CV4 7AL
> 
> "to be eligible for submission to the post-2014 REF, authors' final peer-reviewed manuscripts must have been deposited in an institutional or subject repository within three months of acceptance for publication"
> HEFCE Policy for open access in the post-2014 Research Excellence Framework<http://www.hefce.ac.uk/media/hefce/content/pubs/2014/201407/HEFCE2014_07.pdf>
> 
> Research Support: http://go.warwick.ac.uk/lib-researchers
> Open Access Support: http://go.warwick.ac.uk/lib-researchers/open-access
> Warwick Research Archive Portal (WRAP): http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk<http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/>
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> End of JISC-REPOSITORIES Digest - 9 Dec 2014 to 10 Dec 2014 (#2014-19)
> **********************************************************************