LibAnswers

Unfortunately there is no official digital or physical repository for UC dissertations. Contact your department chair to see if there is an accessible archive through your program.

We recommend using the Proquest Dissertations and Theses database to search for dissertations and theses from around the globe.

Note - you can filter your search results to items from the University of the Cumberlands in the Proquest Dissertations and Theses database by clicking Advanced Search and finding UC through the Look up Universities/Institutions tab (see screenshot below). Please keep in mind that UC does not require its students to upload dissertations to this platform, so it is not a complete collection.

If you can't find a copy of the dissertation or thesis you need, try to find the author's information online and contact them via email or phone.

1. University Repository
   Many universities host digital libraries of theses and dissertations. These often include the author's contact information.
   🔗 Open Access Theses and Dissertations (OATD)
   🔗 Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD)

2. Author’s Personal Website or CV
   Try searching the author’s name with keywords like "CV," "homepage," or "personal website." Academic CVs often list contact details.
   Use Google with queries like: "[Author Name]" AND "CV" or "[Author Name]" AND "homepage"

3. LinkedIn
   Many graduate students and researchers have profiles here. You may be able to connect or message them directly.
   🔗 LinkedIn

4. ResearchGate
   A platform for researchers to share publications. Authors often provide contact options or respond to direct messages.
   🔗 ResearchGate

5. Academia.edu
   Similar to ResearchGate, with personal academic profiles and messaging options.
   🔗 Academia.edu

6. Google Scholar
   Author profiles often link to personal websites or institutional pages.
   🔗 Google Scholar

7. ORCID
   A unique researcher identifier system. Many profiles include institutional affiliations and contact links.
   🔗 ORCID

8. University Department Website
   Visit the author’s academic department page at their university. Look under "People," "Students," or "Graduate Researchers."
   Search example: "[Author Name]" AND "[Department Name]" site:.edu

9. Library Catalog Descriptions
   When looking at a dissertation listing in a library or online catalog, check the description or details section for institutional info, advisors, or submission department. This can help trace the author via their university affiliation.
   🔗 WorldCat – Global Library Catalog

10. Co-author Pages – If the dissertation is linked to publications, co-authors’ profiles might list the author’s contact.

11. Library Catalog Metadata – Some library systems include email or advisor contact info in the detailed description of a resource.