This pilot project will explore how persistent Identifiers (PIDs) can be used across the University, focusing on the implementation of ORCID. Throughout this pilot, key workflows required to successfully implement a campus wide PID strategy will be identified.
What is a PID?
A PID is a long-lasting reference to a digital entity. Unlike URLs, which may break, a persistent identifier reliably points to a digital entity. An example of a PID is a digital object identifier (DOI), which is assigned by a publisher when an article is made available electronically.
PIDs increase the persistent discoverability and connectivity of researchers and research outputs across the University of Waterloo community and beyond. With PIDs researchers can easily link their research outputs to their underlying data and associated metadata. This makes it easier to both discover and access research data.
What is an ORCID?
The Open Researcher and Contributor Identifier (ORCID) is a PID that points to an individual researcher. ORCID provides a PID that the user owns and controls, with the option of allowing trusted parties to add entries on their behalf. ORCID provides each user a unique 16-digit ID number and an associated record that stores links to all their research, employment history, education, qualifications, conference proceedings, professional awards and more. It is a unique, no cost PID.
Benefits of ORCID include:
- More time for research
- ORCID allows users to designate trusted organizations, such as the University of Waterloo, to add research information on their ORCID record.
- Disambiguation and name flexibility
- ORCID’s unique 16-digit ID number allows the user to claim credit for all their work no matter how many people have the same, or similar, name. Additionally, any name change will not affect an ORCID ID.
- Customizable
- The user controls the visibility of each piece of data on their ORCID record.
- Portable
- An ORCID ID remains the same, even if a researcher changes institutions.
- ORCID allows users to share data between their record and several funding, publications, data repositories and other research workflows.
- Can be easily integrated with many systems
- ORCID can be integrated with systems like DSpace, Crossref and more!
- Systems commonly integrated with ORCID.Systems commonly integrated with ORCID.
- Improves the visibility and discoverability of the University of Waterloo’s research outputs and their research impacts.
Project Overview
Challenges in research intelligence and data management call for a strategic, campus-wide approach. Key stakeholders, including the Libraries, the Office of Research, and representatives that participate in a Bibliometrics Working Group (BWG), have come together to support the implementation of ORCID across the University, starting with a two-year pilot project.
The goal of this pilot project is to explore the use of ORCID PIDs across the University, focusing on the implementation of ORCID for a small group of researchers and asserting affiliation via the Affiliation Manager tool. Implementation will focus on doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers as Waterloo does not currently have a full understanding of their productivity and impact, which is critical for understanding their contributions towards the University’s research mission.
This pilot will identify key workflows, technical considerations, stakeholder needs, limitations and communications required to successfully implement ORCID across the institution in the future. In fall 2024, ORCID implementation will begin by engaging with PhD students and post-doctoral researchers via the Grad Ready program, Libraries-run workshops and more. Outreach and engagement for this pilot program will run until the end of fall 2025. A stakeholder satisfaction survey will be sent out at the end of December 2025, and a project closeout report will be finalized January 2026.
This project is supported by the Incremental Projects Grant (IPG).
Key Contacts
Research Intelligence Project Analyst: maochana@uwaterloo.ca
Bibliometrics & Research Impact Librarian: laura.bredahl@uwaterloo.ca