ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) provides a persistent digital identifier that distinguishes you from every other researcher. An ORCID iD is a unique 16-digit identifier like 0000-0002-1825-0097 that connects you to your contributions and affiliations. Having an ORCID iD makes it easier for others to find your publications and other research outputs. Here are some quick answers about finding someone’s ORCID iD:
What is an ORCID iD?
An ORCID iD is a 16-digit persistent unique identifier for an academic researcher or scholar. It stands for Open Researcher and Contributor ID. The purpose of an ORCID iD is to distinguish one researcher from another and to connect researchers with their contributions and affiliations.
Why should researchers have an ORCID iD?
There are several benefits to having an ORCID iD for researchers:
- Prevents name ambiguity – ORCID distinguishes you from other researchers with similar names
- Connects you to your research outputs – ORCID links you to your papers, grants, patents etc.
- Improves discovery and impact tracking – Makes it easier for others to find and cite your work
- Saves time – Reduces the need to re-enter data or search multiple systems
- Portable – Remains constant even if you change institutions or names
How do I find someone’s ORCID iD?
Here are some ways to search for and find someone’s ORCID iD:
Search the ORCID registry
The easiest way is to search the ORCID registry at https://orcid.org. You can search by name, email, ORCID iD, organization, or other identifiers.
Look at their research outputs or profiles
Many research outputs like journal articles and grant applications now include ORCID iDs. Check if a researcher’s papers, patents, datasets etc. have their ORCID iD listed.
Check affiliation profiles and databases
Many universities and research institutions display ORCID iDs of their faculty and researchers on their websites. Funding databases like Web of Science also include ORCID information.
Ask them directly
You can also directly ask a researcher if they have an ORCID iD and request them to share it with you.
What information do I need to search for an ORCID iD?
To search for someone’s ORCID iD, it is helpful to have the following information:
- Full name
- Email address
- Affiliation (university, company etc.)
- Field of research
- Publications or other research works
Even if you only have a part of the name or just the affiliation, you can still try searching in the ORCID registry.
What are some tips for finding an ORCID iD?
Here are some tips that can help you track down an ORCID iD:
- Try variations of the name – spelling mistakes are common in names
- Search grants/papers from recent years – ORCID adoption has increased
- Lookup different affiliations – researchers switch institutions
- If common name, add location/field – improves accuracy
- Don’t rely on email address alone – not always current
What should I do if I can’t find an ORCID iD?
If you are unable to find an ORCID iD, here are some steps you can take:
- Double check alternate name spellings and affiliations
- Contact the researcher directly to ask if they have an ORCID iD
- Check Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed etc. for any identifiers
- Request the institution to provide ORCID iDs of its researchers
- Suggest the researcher to register for an ORCID iD if they don’t have one
How do I register for an ORCID iD?
Registering for an ORCID iD is simple and free. Follow these steps:
- Go to https://orcid.org/
- Click on Register for an ORCID iD
- Enter your details like name, email, password etc.
- Choose a 16-digit ORCID iD or let one be generated
- Verify email and complete registration
Once you have an ORCID iD, add it to your profiles, research works and other professional information.
Can I change or delete my ORCID iD?
ORCID iDs cannot be changed or deleted. This is to maintain persistence in scholarly communication. However, you can set your ORCID record to private or allow edits to limited sections.
How is ORCID different from other researcher identifiers?
| Identifier | ORCID | ResearcherID | Scopus Author ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 16 digits | 8 digits | 10 digits |
| Uniqueness | Globally unique | Unique within database | Unique within database |
| Persistence | Persistent over time | Persistent over time | Can change over time |
| Researcher control | Researcher managed | Requires third party | Requires third party |
An ORCID iD is unique across all databases, persistent over time, and fully managed by the researcher.
Conclusion
An ORCID iD is an important way for researchers to get recognition for their work. By connecting yourself with your contributions, you improve discovery, attribution and impact tracking.Finding someone’s ORCID iD is easy by searching the registry, publications, and profiles. If you can’t find one, suggest the researcher to register for an identifier. With the growth in ORCID adoption, soon no researcher will be without an ORCID iD.
