ID263 From Marked to Published

The Idea

I propose establishing a Keele First-Class Thesis Archive: an institutional online repository that showcases the University's highest-quality undergraduate research. Students whose dissertations receive a first-class mark would be invited, on an entirely voluntary basis, to deposit their work in the archive with their consent, where it would be openly accessible for up to five years. 

Authors would retain full ownership of their work while benefiting from a permanent, citable record of their research. The archive would also provide a pathway towards wider dissemination by encouraging and supporting students to develop their dissertations into publications in academic journals. In doing so, it would celebrate academic excellence, increase the visibility of Keele's undergraduate research, and ensure that exceptional student work reaches audiences beyond the assessment process.  

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

Each year, Keele students produce outstanding undergraduate dissertations that receive first-class marks, yet most are never seen again beyond the assessment process. This represents a missed opportunity for students, the University, and the wider research community. 

The archive would give students a permanent, citable showcase for their best work, strengthening applications for employment, postgraduate study, and academic careers. By making these dissertations openly accessible, Keele would also contribute to a more equitable global knowledge commons, enabling researchers worldwide, including those without access to subscription journals, to benefit from high-quality undergraduate research. 

For the University, the archive would showcase the quality of Keele's undergraduate education, enhance its research profile, and create a lasting, searchable record of student excellence that demonstrates the impact of the University's teaching and research culture.

How We Would Implement This Idea

The archive could be built on Keele's existing institutional repository infrastructure, with support from the Library and research-support services. Students whose dissertations receive a first-class mark would be invited to opt in at the point of degree completion, retaining copyright while granting the University a five-year licence to host their work. 

Clear guidance would be developed on submission requirements, metadata, copyright, ethics, and any material unsuitable for open access. Academic supervisors, the Library, and research-support staff would help identify eligible dissertations and support students through the deposit process. 

The archive would also provide signposting and light-touch guidance for students interested in developing their dissertations into journal articles, helping bridge the gap between undergraduate research and publication. A pilot in one or two Schools would allow the process to be refined before institution-wide rollout.  

What Success Would Look Like

Success would be demonstrated by a growing, openly accessible collection of high-quality first-class dissertations, with strong student participation and sustained engagement. The archive would attract meaningful usage, evidenced through views, downloads, and citations, including international access that demonstrates its contribution to global knowledge sharing. 

Further success would be reflected in students using the archive to strengthen their portfolios and applications, and in a number of archived dissertations progressing towards formal academic publication as students are encouraged and supported to develop their work further. 

Over time, the Keele First-Class Thesis Archive would become a recognised showcase of undergraduate research excellence—enhancing the University's profile while contributing to a more open and equitable global research community.