Unique Author Identifiers

ORCID, short for Open Researcher and Contributor ID, is a unique digital identifier for authors, similar to a barcode or an ISBN. ORCID was created to solve the name ambiguity problem in research and scholarly publications. ORCID provides a persistent digital identifier called an ORCID iD that distinguishes a researcher from every other researcher, and the iD stays with researchers though name and institution changes.

The ORCID id, if integrated in manuscript and grant submissions, supports linkages between a researcher and their professional activities, ensuring that their work is recognized. 

To see what an ORCID profile looks like, view the profile of MCW faculty Xuelin Lou, PhD.