We’re thrilled to announce the successful migration of all theses from our previous platform (https://cds.cern.ch) to our new CERN Repository (https://repository.cern)! The dedicated teams from CDS and the Scientific Information Service have worked tirelessly over the past months to achieve this significant milestone.

Where are theses now?

Finding CERN theses on our new platform is now easier than ever! All our thesis collections have been successfully migrated. You can find them simply by performing a search (with or without keywords) and then selecting the Thesis resource type from the left sidebar filter. Try searching for all Theses now!

Migrated theses

In the coming weeks, we will be adding even more filters to help you narrow down your search results by department, experiment, or accelerator. In the meantime, you can achieve the same by using specific search keywords like department:EP or experiment:FASER.

How do I submit a thesis?

Submitting your thesis to the new repository is a straightforward process! The Scientific Information Service has prepared a clear and concise documentation page to guide you through the steps. Simply navigate to the brand-new CERN Research community in the CERN Repository and click on the “New upload” button.

New upload button in the CERN Research community

All submitted theses will undergo careful review and curation by the CERN Scientific Information Service team.

Existing Links

We understand the importance of persistent links. Rest assured that all existing links to theses on the previous platform (CDS) will automatically redirect to the corresponding records on the new CERN Repository. You won’t need to update your bookmarks or shared links.

Data Preservation

The long-term preservation of CERN’s research output is a top priority. The new CERN Repository is integrated with the CERN Digital Memory service, to ensure that your valuable work remains accessible for future generations of researchers. Your content will be securely stored and managed for the long term.

CERN Digital Memory service integration

Mobile Accessibility

We know that many of you access information on the go. The CERN Repository is built with a responsive design, meaning the platform adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes, including smartphones and tablets. You’ll be able to easily search, browse, and access theses on your mobile devices without any issues.

Next steps

Following this initial phase focused on fixes and improvements to the thesis submission workflow, we will continue our migration journey, concentrating on collections that do not involve complex features or workflows. Stay tuned for further updates!

Help and contacts

We’re here to help! We are currently working on preparing comprehensive documentation covering submission, searching, and content retrieval via REST APIs. In the meantime, if you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to open a ticket.

More information for the curious

Migrating content from one platform to another is a monumental undertaking. The information associated with each publication, such as the title, author, and abstract, needs to be meticulously transformed to fit a new data model while ensuring accuracy and integrity.

To manage this complex process, we developed a dedicated migration tool.

Migrator tool

This tool allows us to carefully review each transformation and correct any data discrepancies before the final migration. The CERN Scientific Information Service team has invested significant effort in curating all theses prior to their transfer.

Simultaneously, we developed essential features to support the thesis submission workflow. While these might not be immediately visible to the user, they are crucial for the repository’s proper functioning. For instance, the platform is equipped to:

  • Register Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) when required, ensuring your work is easily citable and discoverable.
  • Utilize various CERN vocabularies and seamlessly integrate with GreyBook and other vital CERN databases.
  • Maintain a detailed record of user actions when modifying content through Audit Logs, ensuring transparency and accountability.
  • Synchronize content with the CERN Library Catalogue platform, allowing you to easily find information on how to borrow publications from the Library desk.
  • Harvest metadata from INSPIREHep, automatically archiving theses that have been published in this external repository, increasing their visibility within the high-energy physics community.

…and much more!