Research outputs are often spread across multiple platforms — ranging from academic journals and research repositories to institutional databases and conference proceedings. This makes it difficult to keep track of all your contributions. ORCID ensures that your work is always attributed to you, no matter where it is published or stored. Thanks to integrations with platforms like Pure, Scopus, ResearchGate and OpenAlex, your research information can be easily updated across multiple systems at once.

What is ORCID?

ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor iD) is a 16-digit identifier that acts as a digital fingerprint, linked to all your research outputs, no matter where or in which system they are stored. This means that all forms of academic output, such as publications, datasets, teaching materials, conference contributions, peer reviews, and more, are connected to your ORCID iD. Just as ISBNs identify books and DOIs identify articles, ORCID provides researchers with a unique personal ID that connects their research outputs across various systems.

What can you use ORCID for?

ORCID helps eliminate confusion caused by name variations, name changes, or common surnames. With an ORCID iD, researchers can create a lifelong record of their professional activities and build a comprehensive academic presence.

An ORCID iD enhances visibility within the academic community and streamlines processes such as manuscript submissions and grant applications. Many publishers and funding agencies require an ORCID iD to ensure proper attribution and facilitate collaboration across disciplines.

Frequently Asked Question

A common question we receive at the Library is: Why use ORCID if you already have a Scopus ID?

Both ORCID and Scopus ID uniquely identify academic authors, but they serve different purposes:

• Scopus ID is specific to the Scopus database
• ORCID is widely used across various platforms within the entire academic ecosystem
• ORCID is researcher-managed, while Scopus IDs are automatically generated.

By using ORCID, you maintain control over your academic identity and ensure long-term visibility beyond Scopus, including on emerging open platforms for academic research like OpenAlex.

How does it work?

Step 1: Create an ORCID account to obtain your unique ORCID iD

Registering for an ORCID iD is simple. Just follow these steps to create an account:

1. Go to the registration page on the ORCID website
2. Fill out the form
3. Verify your email
4. Complete your profile

Step 2: Sync ORCID with PURE for maximum visibility and efficiency

By connecting your ORCID iD with Pure—your institution’s platform for research registration—you ensure that your research outputs and professional activities are always automatically synchronized and visible across systems.

1. Log in to Pure
2. Click on ‘Edit profile’
3. Select ‘Add existing ORCID iD’ or ‘Create or Connect your ORCID iD’
4. If you already have an ORCID iD, enter it and click ‘Check’
5. Follow the prompts to authorize Pure to access your ORCID record
6. Save your changes

Linking your ORCID iD with platforms like Scopus or ResearchGate requires some additional steps, but it helps expand your professional network and ensures your work reaches a global audience. Having a complete and public ORCID profile allows platforms like OpenAlex to automatically capture your data, further increasing your academic visibility without any additional manual effort.

Get started today

Create your ORCID iD and link it to Pure to enhance your visibility and connect with the global research community. For more help, visit the Library’s support page on research visibility, ORCID or reach out to Ask the Library if you have any further questions!