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ORCID and Researcher IDs: ORCID

What is an ORICD (Open Researcher and Contributor ID)?

ORCID is a non-profit, free service that allows researchers to create a researcher ID. ORCID iDs are unique from other researcher ID systems as they assign a sixteen-digit ID number to an individual researcher, which will remain consistent across all academic sources. ORCID iD's are useful because: 

  • they enable researchers to have direct control in identifying what work belongs to them and ensures appropriate credit for work they have created.
  • ORCID enables researchers to control their privacy settings. Details of an ORCID record can be public, private, or customizable and only be accessible to a limited group.
  • the information researchers share publicly can be accessed by searching for https://orcid.org/ followed by a researcher's sixteen digit ORCID iD, by anyone at no cost.
  • ORCID allows researchers to attach their iDs to their institutions, or to any public research activity they have engaged in, such as receiving grant funding or publishing a paper.
  • organizations (such as funders, research organizations, publishers, repositories, professional associations, and universities) can easily view the researcher’s curated list of accomplishments.

What is an ORCID record?

Along with providing the newly registered researcher with a unique ORCID iD, registered ORCID users will receive a free ORCID record. In this ORCID record interface, researchers can identify information pertinent to their career, including biography, qualifications, education, employment, and funding history. This information can be as public or private as the researcher prefers, and can be located simply by searching by searching the https://orcid.org followed by their sixteen digit ORCID iD. For example, https://orcid.org/xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx.

How to register for an ORCID?

Registering for an ORCID iD is completely free, and a very easy process. Follow this step by step guide on how to register for an ORCID iD and how to link that ORCID iD to the University of Waterloo.

Note: To complete this next step, you will need active WatIM credentials.

  1. Begin at https://orcid.org
  2. Navigate to "Sign In/ Register."
  3. Select "Access through your institution."
  4. Begin typing University of Waterloo, then select "Continue."
  5. Select "Don't have an ORCID iD yet? Register now."
  6. Fill out the form, including your first name, last name, primary email, and confirm your primary email. Select "Next."
  7. Review existing ORCID records, to confirm that you do not already have an ORCID iD. Select "None of these are me, continue with registration."
  8. Create a password for your ORCID account, and select if you would like quarterly emails about new ORCID features and tips. Select "Next."
  9. Select your visibility settings, your ORCID account can be visible to everyone, just trusted organizations, or only you. 
  10. Consent to ORCID's privacy policy, data processing, and confirm you are not a robot. Then select "Register."
  11. You should receive an email from ORCID, with the subject line "Welcome to ORCID- verify your email address." Navigate to the link in the body of the email to "Verify your email address."
  12. Open your ORCID record account, where your profile should now be linked to the University of Waterloo.

Follow this step by step guide to link an existing ORCID iD to the University of Waterloo.

Note: To complete this next step, you will need active WatIM credentials. 

  1. Begin at https://orcid.org
  2. Navigate to "Sign In/ Register."
  3. Select "Access through your institution."
  4. Begin typing University of Waterloo, then select "Continue."
  5. Sign into your ORCID account, using your email or ORCID iD, and password. Select "Sign in and link your University of Waterloo account."
  6. Sign into your WatIM account.
  7. Open your ORCID record, where your profile should now be linked to the University of Waterloo. 

Linking an ORCID Account to a Scopus- Elsevier Account

Linking an ORCID account to a different Researcher ID platform can be beneficial as it will simplify your author ID management. Linking accounts is easy by using a Link Wizard. Follow these step by step instructions to link your ORCID and Scopus Author ID accounts:

  1. Begin at https://orcid.org
  2. Navigate to "Sign In/ Register."
  3. Sign into your ORCID account using your email, ORCID iD and password, OR access through your institution, by using your active WatIM credentials. Select "Sign In."
  4. Navigate to the works section of your ORCID record, and select (+) "Add," and then select "Search & link."
  5. Select "Scopus- Elsevier."
  6. "Authorize Access" to your ORCID account.
  7. Navigate through the Scopus- Elsevier Link Wizard to finish linking your Scopus- Elsevier and ORCID accounts.