FAQ: What is an Author Identifier, and who should apply for one?

What is an author identifier?

An author identifier is a unique digital ID that distinguishes you from other researchers, even those with similar names. It helps ensure your work is correctly attributed to you across platforms, publications, and databases. 

Whether you're publishing your first paper or building a research portfolio, author identifiers offer benefits: 

• Accurate attribution of your work 
• Improved discoverability in databases and search engines 
• Simplified tracking of citations and impact 
• Professional visibility for resumes, grant applications, and collaborations 

I'm a Student. Do I Need An Author Identifier? 

Not necessarily—but it can help! 

• If you're just submitting a class project or capstone: You may not need one. 

• If you're publishing a thesis, research report, or creative work: An identifier can boost your visibility and help others cite your work. 

• If you're planning a research career: Start early! It’s free and easy. 

I'm Faculty or Staff. What’s the Best Practice for Author Identifiers? 

• Scholarly authors should have an author identifier. It helps track your scholarly output and ensures proper credit. 

• Many funding agencies and journals now require author identifiers like ORCID. 

• University documents do not need an author identifier 

Common Author Identifiers & How to Get Them 

Want to make sure your work is correctly attributed and easy to find? Start with one of these: 

• ORCID iD – Free and widely used. 

  • Register at orcid.org

• ResearcherID (Web of Science) – Tracks citations. 

  • Create via your Web of Science account. 

• Scopus Author ID – Assigned automatically when you publish in Scopus-indexed journals. 

  • Check your profile on Scopus. 

• Google Scholar Profile – Not an ID, but great for visibility. 

  • Set up at scholar.google.com