Minerva Access: Home to the University’s Thesis Collection, From 1893 to Today

Did you know the university’s institutional repository, Minerva Access, houses over 12,000 theses authored by university alumni?  The collection contains a mix of older theses, dating back to 125 years ago, which have been digitised as part of a recent digitisation project, along with newer native digital submissions.

The very first thesis to be submitted at the university is An examination of Teutonic Law, completed in 1893 for fulfilment of the Doctor of Laws by Dr E. Mayhew Brissenden. 

Later in 1948, the university’s (and Australia’s) first two PhD theses were awarded: A French-Australian writer: Paul Wenz, by Dr Erica Wolff in the Faculty of Arts, and The preparation and properties of tantalum and some of its alloys by Dr Rupert Horace Myers in Science.

Moving forward in time to 2018, thesis deposit into Minerva Access is now compulsory and in digital format. The most recent submission to Minerva Access at the time of writing is Whole pattern analysis of serial protein X-ray crystallography diffraction data by Dr Sophie R Williams from the School of Physics. You can also access the University’s most popular theses here, with the ‘Top 20’ most downloaded theses exploring topics including early Internet culture, tipping practices, mining technologies, nursing and professional identity, PE teaching, Australian theatre, and Indigenous histories.

Interested in learning more…?

If you are a current PhD, Doctorate or Masters by Research candidate (or supervisor) please join us for the following sessions to learn more about depositing your thesis in Minerva Access:

Public Access and Your Thesis
Thursday 25^th October, 10-11am, Baillieu Library

This session provides an overview of university policy and systems relevant to all students required to deposit their thesis in Minerva Access. It also includes a discussion of relevant university systems, the pros and cons of making your thesis open access, choosing an embargo period, and an overview of how to manage third party copyright materials in your thesis. Bookings essential. Please book online here.

Copyright and Your Thesis

Thursday 11^th October, 3-4pm, Online webinar

This companion session to Public Access and Your Thesis provides a more in-depth exploration of copyright matters and what they mean for your thesis. The session will explore what copyright is, how to use copyrighted materials in your thesis, and the rights and protections provided by relevant copyright legislation. Bookings essential. Please book online here.