Q. I want to restrict access to my thesis. What are the qualifying reasons?

If you wish to restrict access to the electronic version of your thesis you should state this in the embargo comments box when uploading your thesis via Liverpool Elements. If you do not provide a reason for the embargo we cannot accept the thesis. If the reason for restricting access is a concern for your personal safety, the safety of others, the thesis contains information obtained under a promise of strict confidentiality, or other pressing concerns, access can be restricted permanently or indefinitely (you can email the Open Research Team for advice). For any of the other reasons below, access can be restricted for up to five years.

• Publication of the thesis is planned
• Releasing the thesis would prejudice the commercial interests of the author, the University or another external party
• The thesis details methods/procedures which could affect the competitiveness of a line of research if made available online
• The student intends to publish the thesis as a monograph or series of articles and electronic publication could compromise opportunities for publication

If the reason for which you wish to restrict access is not included on the above list, you should notify the Open Research Team immediately so that a discussion can be held with regard to restricting access to your thesis.