The publication of one's own work is an important milestone for doctoral candidates. On the one hand, every doctorate must be completed with a publication of the dissertation thesis, and on the other hand, (partial) results of one's own scientific and artistic work can be published, e.g. in the form of conference contributions, as an essay in professional journals or anthologies. This page serves as an introduction to the topic and provides information about funding opportunities and contact persons.
Two ways of writing a dissertation
Option 1: The dissertation is written as a self-contained thesis and published as a monograph after successful submission and disputation.
Option 2: The dissertation is submitted as a compiled volume or portfolio and comprises several independent expert contributions that have been published in advance in relevant academic journals. These partial results of the doctoral research are related to each other in the dissertation thesis and together constitute the cumulative dissertation.
The cumulative doctorate is currently only possible at the faculties of Civil Engineering and Media.
Regulations on this can be found in the respective doctoral regulations.
If possible, decide on one of these two paths as early as possible and discuss this with the supervising professor.
Three ways of publishing
Option 1: Open Access (OA) as a recognized way of academic publishing that makes academic insights freely available:
- We recommend publishing your doctoral thesis electronically as an OA publication via the Digitale Bibliothek Thüringen. You submit an electronic document of the dissertation writing as well as 6 printed copies in bound form to the university publication office.
- An increasing number of publishers also offer OA publication, so that the publisher's copy can also appear as an OA book. Here, funding and licensing must be clarified in advance. As with other publishing publications, three print copies must be submitted to the university press. As a rule, however, print versions are also integrated in OA publishing publications.
Option 2: The publication is made through a publisher or a journal with limited access. Three publisher's copies must be submitted to the University Publication Office.
Option 3: After a successful thesis defense, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar also offers the option of self-organized publication in the form of 20 printed and bound copies of the thesis. The University Publication Office will also advise you on this.
Affiliation guideline for research-related publications
The affiliation guideline for research-related publications of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (German version, MdU 19/2025) regulates measures for the visibility of the institutional affiliation of research-related publications, such as publisher publications, pre-prints, post-prints, journal publications, conference and congress reports, publications on repositories, patent specifications, data publications or research-related content in audiovisual media and on social networks.
It applies to all members and affiliates of the university in accordance with § 21 of the Thuringian Higher Education Act. It also applies to scholarship holders, provided that the published research is directly related to their work at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
Publication Costs
Publication costs are incurred for all forms of publication. Bauhaus-Universität Weimar offers you various support services:
Furthermore, inform yourself about external funding opportunities, such as:
- VG-Wort (German)
- FAZIT-Stiftung (German)
- Deutscher Akademikerinnenbund (German)
Publications in professional journals
Through contributions to professional conferences and publications in journals, you can make your research (internationally) visible during the doctoral phase. OA publications favor further publication, e.g., in the dissertation publication, as the reuse is made possible with CC licensing.
On the pages linked here you will find helpful tips to assist you in the strategic planning of your publications:
- Detailed information on OA publishing from the open access network
- find trustworthy journals with think.check.submit
- find quality-assured conferences with think.check.submit
- find quality-assured open access journals with B!SON
- find a suitable OA publication venue as well as funding opportunities for their own institution with oa.finder
- information about »Mirror Journals« (list)