Publishing Your PhD Manuscript with NNHRR and Asser Press

The NNHRR has partnered with TMC Asser Press to facilitate the publication of PhD manuscripts in the Human Rights Research Series. This partnership, commencing on 1 January 2025, offers PhD authors an excellent opportunity to share their research with an international audience. This guide provides practical steps to navigate the process and ensure a smooth and timely publication.

1. Eligibility

PhD members of NNHRR are eligible to publish their PhD dissertation in the NNHRR Human Rights Research Series, provided the dissertation has a human rights component.

2. Getting Started

Fill in the Book Proposal Form and email f.bakker@asser.nl and nnhrr@asser.nl.

3. Review and Selection

Asser Press will assess your dossier and provide an overview of the next steps, including information about the production process. Note that there is no peer review process organized by the publisher after the manuscript has been submitted.

4. Finalising the Agreement

If the assessment of your manuscript is positive:

  • You will receive a publishing contract from Asser Press. Be sure to review the terms.

  • Confirm the deadline for submitting the final manuscript to align with the production schedule.

5. Preparing the Manuscript

To meet Asser Press’s standards, the manuscript must:

  • Avoid terms like "PhD," "thesis," or "dissertation," presenting the work as a professional monograph.

  • Incorporate revisions or comments from your defense committee.

  • Follow the TMC Asser Press/Springer Author Guidelines, including format and content requirements.

6. Production and Distribution

TMC Asser Press, in cooperation with Springer, handles production, including layout, typesetting, and cover design. Publications are made available in print (hardcover and softcover) and digital (e-book and PDF) formats.

The standard production timeline is approximately 16-20 weeks, with free hardcover copies provided: 10 to the author and 2 to the NNHRR Steering Committee. Authors can purchase additional copies with a 40% discount off the sale price.

7. Costs and Open Access

There are no mandatory costs for the author, except for:

  • Language Editing: If required, editing must be arranged by the authors.

  • Open Access: Please contact Frank Bakker for information about open access publishing.

8. Marketing and Promotion

The content is distributed, marketed, and sold digitally and physically by TMC Asser Press and Springer. It is made available to teachers, researchers, and students worldwide through Springer’s 'e-book collections' in thousands of libraries, including those of leading universities and institutions.

Important Notes

NNHRR Human Rights Series books are commercial editions that follow after the public defense of the dissertation. There are a number of conditions attached to publication:

  • The books in the series are delivered and published in the English language.

  • There is no peer review process organized by the publisher.

  • The books will be published in the standard layout and format of TMC Asser Press/Springer publications, with the standard cover of the NNHRR Human Rights Series.

  • Manuscripts must not already have an ISBN or unrestricted repository access. Please contact us for information on university library embargo requirements.

  • The book is not published and marketed as a dissertation, but as a 'new' monograph. TMC Asser Press requests that words such as 'PhD,' 'dissertation,' 'thesis,' and 'my research' be removed from the text. These terms can be replaced with phrases like 'this book' or 'this text'. Additionally, the description of the research methodology should be kept to a minimum. If desired, the 'Acknowledgements' section may note that the book is based on a dissertation.

If you have questions or encounter challenges during the process, contact NNHRR (nnhrr@asser.nl) or TMC Asser Press (f.bakker@asser.nl) for support.

Previous Collaboration with Intersentia

Until 2024, the NNHRR Human Rights Research Series was published by Intersentia. Titles in the series published until 2024 can be found and purchased here.