Why do I need an author identifier?
Some of the common issues that make it difficult to distinguish your publications from those of others:
- Over your career, variations of your name will appear on publications (e.g. Ali M. Shaw, Ali Shaw, A. Shaw, A.M. Shaw, etc.)
- Your name may change
- There will be other authors with a similar or the same name
- You will likely work at different institutions and have different affiliations
- Many journals require authors to have an ORCID when they submit a manuscript
Author identifiers allow you to:
- ensure your work is discoverable and connected to you throughout your career
- minimize the time you spend entering repetitive data online, and
- eliminate name ambiguity, distinguishing you from other researchers and ensuring proper attribution
More information about Author identifiers
PRO TIP: Think of how you want your name to appear in the professional literature. If you often use a nickname or shortened version of your name, consider if that is how you want your name represented as a professional. For example, if you commonly use the name Billy, but your name is William, think about using W or B as your first initial. Be consistent with your name when you publish!