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Revising your PhD Thesis for Publication

The aim of this training session is to get doctoral researchers thinking about the process of transforming the PhD thesis into a monograph. It covers the key differences between a thesis and a book, how to decide whether a book is the right publication format for your research, and choosing and approaching publishers. A practical discussion task focuses on the process of writing a book proposal to help participants work towards producing summaries of their projects that communicate effectively to the two main audiences for the proposal: the academic reviewer and the publisher. 

Session leaders

Dr Joseph Ford (Senior Lecturer in French Studies, Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies, School of Advanced Study) and Dr Emma Gallon (Publisher, University of London Press).

Learning outcomes

By the end of this session you will be able to:

  • Describe the four main ways in which a book differs from a doctoral thesis: purpose, audience, structure and writing.
  • Decide whether a book is the right option for you when considering possible publication routes for your doctoral research.
  • Identify the practical, academic, professional and personal steps to take as you start the revision process.
  • Find and approach suitable publishers for your work.
  • Write a clear summary of your research to include in a book proposal that is aimed at both the publisher and the academic reviewers.
Play the Revising your PhD Thesis for Publication recording

Slides and session materials

Download the Revising your PhD Thesis for Publication PowerPoint slides
Download the Transforming Your Thesis guidelines PDF
Download the Template for summary writing Word document

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