HOME / RESOURCES / GUIDES / ORCID /

ORCiD for Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Reporting research activity has gotten easier in recent years by collecting information at a single point and reusing it for different purposes, commonly accomplished via Digital Persistent Identifiers (DPIs). A DPI is a unique digital identifier that permanently identifies an individual to associate that individual with their professional activities and publications and disambiguate people with the same name. The most popular DPI tool --ORCiD --is being adopted by more and more publishers, funders, and research institutions, including the Smithsonian. ORCiDs serve as a repository of information about scholars and their activities, publications, positions, grants, and allows ease in the reporting process by reusing that information where possible. The Smithsonian has had an ORCiD membership for several years and automates the information flow to Institutional scholars’ ORCiD records via Smithsonian Profiles.

To improve the ability of the Smithsonian to track scholarly contributions of Smithsonian employees, including but not limited to publications, datasets, patents, and grants of Smithsonian staff and affiliated researchers, Smithsonian scholars who conduct research and publish (regardless of academic discipline) should register and complete a profile in ORCiD.

How to Register a New ORCiD or Register your Existing ORCiD

Once you log in, you will be asked to log into your existing ORCiD account or be able to create a new ORCiD account. Follow the section prompts and instructions for whichever options is applicable to you. After you create your ORCiD account, the system is designed to receive updated information from automated systems, such as publisher platforms and the Smithsonian, so the need for periodic manual updates is minimal. You will be able to manage "visibility" settings on your profile to control what information can be viewed. ORCiD also integrates with SciENcv, which reduces manual entry when preparing a curriculum vitae for grant applications. More information on ORCiD and the benefits of having an ORCiD profile can be found on the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives site on Prism.