Published My Dissertation on My Institution's Open Access Repository
As a PhD student, I did not expect my dissertation would be read by people outside of my committee. Although I published it on my institution's open access repository, I thought it would languish on a server -- like a book collecting dust on a library shelf.
Today, I went to the repository to confirm my expectations. I was wrong. My dissertation has been downloaded over 1,800 times and viewed 289 times since it was uploaded in March 2023. For someone who had low expectations, those stats are huge. I doubt that I would have gotten those numbers had I published my work through a university press.
I am happy that I chose the open access route. As an academic librarian, I advocate open access to information. I was never going to lock my work behind a paywall.
I advise doctoral students and PhD holders to share their dissertation through open access, if they can. Having one's dissertation disseminated freely translates to more readers and potentially more impact in the field.