The Open Researcher and Contributor Identifier (ORCID, or ORCID iD) is an internationally accepted identifier for individuals that helps them to distinguish themselves and claim credit for their work.

What is ORCID?

This article explains the ORCID iD and shows how to use it fully, including linking it to profiles like Scopus. ORCID is a not-for-profit organisation, sustained by fees from member organisations. Their main service is the unique, persistent identifier, free of charge for researchers and its connected ORCID record.

Surnames are often not unique and can change over time, for example by marriage. This can cause publications in databases such as Scopus or Web of Science being assigned to the wrong author. The ORCID iD is a persistent identifier for researchers to help them distinguish themselves from others with similar names, ensuring their scholarly output is accurately attributed across institutions, disciplines and databases. Are you not sure if you already have an ORCID? Visit the website of ORCID and enter your name in the top bar. 

Benefits of ORCID

ORCID’s main purpose is to identify you and your output, such as scientific articles, presentations, or posters. The identification does not rely on your name, but on a 16-character code that ORCID assigns to you when you create a profile.

Your code is unique and persistent. It stays the same even if your name or affiliation changes. You can fill your ORCID profile with personal details and works, and can control who sees what information. ORCID is world-wide seen as the primary researcher identifier, and is integrated in the workflows of many institutions, funders and publishers. Publishers may request your ORCID iD when submitting a manuscript, so that the published article shows your iD together with your name, making it more findable.

Getting the most out of ORCID – link it!

One of the advantages of ORCID is that you can link it to other profiles such as your Scopus Author Profile, Crossref, or Zenodo, transferring works from one to the other. By linking your ORCID to Scopus, for example, newly published articles will be pushed to your ORCID automatically. To create links, open your ORCID profile, go to ‘Add works’ and then choose ‘Search & link’. Setting up links is quick, and once done, it will help you keep your ORCID profile up to date. Your works will then always be listed in one place rather than scattered across profiles.

Trusted parties

When you connect your ORCID iD to another organisation, you will be asked to grant permission to that organisation to interact with your ORCID account. If you decide to grant permission, that organisation becomes a trusted party and is listed in your Trusted parties page.

Linking your ORCID with Pure

The Library recommends linking your ORCID to Pure, ensuring that your WUR-output is automatically transferred to your ORCID. By linking your ORCID to Pure, even your WUR-output that is not derived from databases such as Scopus (e.g. presentations), is added to your ORCID profile. Once you have activated the Pure-ORCID-Pure link, the link automatically sends information from your Pure profile to your ORCID. Please, use this explanation to set up the Pure-ORCID-Pure link.

Questions and support

Do you have questions about this service, or would you like personal support? Feel free to contact us. You can send an email to riis.library@wur.nl.