This guide is intended for editors who need to edit a dissertation press release on www4.uib.no. It covers editorial guidelines for content quality and accessibility, as well as practical instructions for completing the fields in the editing tool.

Dissertation drafts are normally created automatically through import from the Thesis Portal (Avhandlingsportalen). For information about how the integration works, roles and permissions, and how to find and publish drafts, see the general guide Dissertations and trial lectures under Other guides and tips.

Part 1: Editorial guidelines

Here you will find requirements and recommendations for content quality, images, and text structure. These apply to all dissertation press releases. Note that most of the text is pre-filled from the Thesis Portal. However, you are still responsible for ensuring that the page meets the requirements below before publishing.

Accessibility

We are legally required to ensure that our websites are accessible to all users. Some requirements are addressed through technical solutions, but much depends on how you publish your content.

  • Always use the correct language in the correct language version. English content on Norwegian pages (or vice versa) violates accessibility requirements.
  • Link text must be descriptive. Users should understand where a link leads before clicking it.
  • Avoid images that contain text, especially as the main image.

Images

  • Consider whether the page actually needs an image.
  • Choose images that are relevant to the content.
  • Use images from UiB’s own image archive.
  • Use recent and up-to-date images.
  • Avoid stock photos.
  • Do not use images generated by artificial intelligence.
  • Do not use images or illustrations that contain text.

Always add alternative text (alt text) for images that convey meaningful information. Leave the alt text empty only for purely decorative images.

The main image on a dissertation press release is usually a press photo supplied by the candidate through the Thesis Portal. Nevertheless, check that the image has the correct photo credit and that the cropping (landscape/portrait format) looks appropriate.

Text structure and formatting

A clear structure makes it easier for readers to understand and navigate the content. Also check that text imported from the Thesis Portal is displayed with proper formatting (paragraphs and emphasis where relevant), rather than as plain text.

Headings

  • The title of the press release is automatically assigned as Heading 1.
  • Use Heading 2 for the main level of the text and Heading 3 for the level below.
  • Do not skip heading levels (for example, from Heading 2 directly to Heading 4).
  • Headings should be short, precise, and informative.

Lists

  • Use bulleted or numbered lists to highlight individual points.
  • Keep list items short and concise.
  • Avoid nested lists.
  • Limit the number of items in each list.

Links

  • Do not add more links than necessary.
  • Minimize links to sites outside uib.no.
  • Link only to pages that are relevant to the content.
  • Link text must always describe the destination. Avoid phrases such as “click here”.

Part 2: Publishing tool

This section provides an overview of all fields you can complete when creating or editing a dissertation press release in the editing tool.

Page settings

Version log

Write a short summary of what was changed in this version, for example: “Added link to dissertation.” This is used only for internal tracking purposes. Refer to the general guide for the publishing steps themselves (Save as, etc.).

Language

Dissertation pages are created in Norwegian (Bokmål or Nynorsk) or English, depending on what the candidate has specified in the Thesis Portal. Make sure the correct language is used for the correct language version, and do not mix Bokmål and Nynorsk on the same page.

Metadata (SEO)

Add a meta title and meta description if the title or introduction is long. These texts appear in search engines and help both Google and users understand the content.

  • Meta title: displayed in search engines (maximum 60 characters).
  • Meta description: displayed in search results (maximum 160 characters).

Top section

Title (required)

The title of the press release. Keep it short and engaging. The title automatically becomes the page’s Heading 1 and is displayed in search results and the browser tab.

Introduction (required)

Automatically generated during import using the following format: [Candidate name] will defend their PhD degree at the University of Bergen with the dissertation “[Dissertation title]” (maximum 900 characters.) This text can be adjusted manually.

Dissertation title

The full title of the dissertation.

Link to dissertation

A link to the dissertation, for example in NVA (Norwegian Academic Archive). The link text displayed on the page should be:

Go to the dissertation

Link to ORCID

A link to the candidate’s ORCID profile, if provided.

Dissertation date

Enter the start date and end date, including the time of the dissertation defense.

Main image (required)

  • Upload the press image through the media library.
  • You may choose to hide the image within the article itself. It will still be used on the dissertation overview page and in other places linking to the article.
  • Always provide alternative text for accessibility and verify that the photo credit is correct.
  • Portrait-format images automatically have “Adapt to landscape format” enabled during import. This can be disabled manually if needed. See Images and videos for more information about this setting.

Content

Main content (required)

Write the main body of the press release here. It will normally consist of two sections:

  • About the dissertation (popular science summary taken from the press release)
  • About the candidate (background information about the candidate)

Follow the editorial guidelines above when structuring and quality-assuring the content.

Related content

Link to trial lecture event

A link to the corresponding trial lecture event so that it appears as related content on the page. The link is not displayed until the event has been published.

Link to dissertation event

A link to the corresponding dissertation defense event so that it appears as related content on the page. The link is not displayed until the event has been published.

Affiliation

Faculty

Search for and add the candidate’s faculty. This is used for filtering on the dissertation overview page.

Department (and centres at department level)

Search for and add the candidate’s department or centre. This is used for filtering on the dissertation overview page.

Add other affiliations

Optional: Add a link (URL and link text) to other relevant pages, for example a research centre or research group affiliated with the candidate.

Contact information

Candidate name

The candidate’s full name.

Email

Enter the candidate’s email address.

Telephone number

Enter the candidate’s telephone number. You must include the country code.

Examples:

  • +4712345678
  • +47 12 34 56 78