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Waiting to Get Your Dissertation Accepted?
Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 05:46 am
If you are wondering how to write your dissertation acknowledgments, that means you are basically finished. Congratulations! You have done the hard work and are just putting the finishing touches on your masterpiece and deciding who to thank.
Everyone.
Seriously though, deciding whom to acknowledge and how to do it is important.
How to Write Dissertation Acknowledgements
There are a few things to keep in mind when writing your dissertation acknowledgements:
- Know your school’s requirements
- Thank the right people from your institution
- Thank the right people from your personal life
- Add a touch of humor (when appropriate)
- Keep it the appropriate length
Jump to: Dissertation Acknowledgements Example
Know Your School’s Requirements
The first thing to do is check with your university to see if there are any requirements for or limitations on what to write in the acknowledgments for your dissertation. Some schools have page or word limits.
Others may limit the types of things that you can say, but for the most part I have seen few limitations. Universities recognize that it takes a village, so to speak, and they want to give you ample opportunity to recognize those who’ve played a part in your success.
Know Whom to Thank
Finishing a dissertation is a celebration. Go ahead and tell those who are meaningful that you appreciate them.
It is generally best to start with the most formal relationships and move from there to the personal. Keep in mind that there is a certain political aspect to your list of acknowledgements, so be careful to avoid leaving out anyone at your institution who made a contribution. These are some of the people to consider thanking as a courtesy:
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- Chair
- Committee members
- Funders
- Supervisors
- Colleagues
- Librarians (generalists and specialists)
- Editors
- Other academics
- Professional colleagues
- Classmates who contributed in some way
- Research participants
The acknowledgement section of your dissertation is also a great place to thank those in your personal life who contributed to your ability to go to school and take the time to write this tome. These can include:
- Past teachers
- Family — parents, spouses, children, extended family members
- Friends
- If you are religious, thanking God (using whatever name is appropriate to your religion) is acceptable as well
- Pets (I saw a student thank her cat for keeping her company during the many long nights of writing in her office)
I once had someone ask about thanking a therapist. This is fine, but I would suggest asking their permission first.
Should I Add Humor in my Dissertation Acknowledgements?
Dissertations can be somewhat dry, so adding a little bit of humor may make it more fun for both you and the reader — and a degree of humor is appropriate in the acknowledgements section. I once read an acknowledgement that said, “And now that I will have time to tend to relationships, I want to thank my three unborn children for being patient.”
Another student recounted a cute family story in one sentence that captured the sacrifices his family made to support him.
With regard to humor, remember to maintain a level of professionalism and avoid straying too far into the weeds. Avoid critical (including self-critical) humor or presenting anyone in a bad light. Remember that prospective employers will likely be perusing this document.
Dissertation Acknowledgements Length
I have never seen an acknowledgement section go beyond one page. Keep it to those who really helped you through the process.
Sample Dissertation Acknowledgement
The best way to learn how to write acknowledgements for a dissertation is by reading the acknowledgements section in dissertations previously published by your institution. However, to help you get started, here is an example of an acknowledgement for a dissertation.
Acknowledgements
There are many who helped me along the way on this journey. I want to take a moment to thank them.
First, I wish to thank my dissertation committee. Without their guidance, I would not have made it. Dr. Betty Rubble and Dr. Colin Slate served as wise committee members, and Dr. Barney Rubble, my Chair, went above and beyond to help me reach my goal.
To my friends, my parents, and my siblings: you put up with me being distracted and missing many events. I am forever grateful for your patience and understanding. I hope to have time now to reconnect with each of you.
Finally, to my wife, Charlotte, and my daughter, Jane: your love and understanding helped me through the dark times. Without you believing in me, I never would have made it. It is time to celebrate; you earned this degree right along with me.
When to Write Dissertation Acknowledgements
I’ve seen a surprising number of students turn in drafts of their proposals with the acknowledgements section already written. I suppose the thinking goes, “the more sections I complete now, the less I’ll have to do later.” And it must be tempting to fill out a section that doesn’t require any citations.
While there’s nothing wrong with drafting the acknowledgements section ahead of time, it’s best to keep it saved separately from the draft of your proposal. Acknowledgements are supposed to be written retroactively, and your Chair and committee members may find it strange to be thanked before they’ve finished the work of guiding you through the dissertation process.
How to Write Dissertation Acknowledgements: Summary
The acknowledgement section of your dissertation is the least controlled area of the document. There are no special headings needed or word counts. I suggest you take your time and really think about those who helped you complete this journey and give them the thanks they deserve.
You can give them a card or take them out to dinner, and that’s a great idea. But an acknowledgement in your dissertation is a permanent reminder and an announcement to the wider world that these people really made a difference in your life and your future. Some proud parents have framed their child’s acknowledgement page! Try to make yours worthy of framing.
And remember, though this is your opportunity to thank others, the way that you do so (and the care you put into it) is a reflection of who you are. As much as you might be tired of writing, it’s worth putting genuine effort into this section, as it will speak to everyone who reads it about who you are as a person.
Wondering what’s next after you have your PhD? As a PhD coach, I help recent graduates reach their goals, whether that’s landing their dream job at a university, diving into research, creating your own business, or beginning a career outside of academia.
