Benefits of our approach

Writing this entry in the gap between our initial pilot stage work and the full implementation of ORCID iDs across the University is a challenge! In many ways, we are still waiting to see if our pathway for academic staff and researchers is an effective one for others to follow. We hope that the following comments are useful to other institutions.

 

• Early indications are that voluntary ORCID iD registration by academic and research staff via an institutional CRIS can show positive results. The very short pilot stage with relatively little active advocacy (see earlier blog entries) resulted in over 70 ORCID iDs recorded in Pure in a short space of time.

• Despite experiencing some technical setbacks ourselves, the implementation of ORCID iD functionality within a CRIS still seems to be a sensible route forward, both in terms of where research staff need to record research outputs and potential future system interoperability options, e.g. in reporting to funders. Using the functionality provided by Pure meant that there was no need to develop a new integration ourselves. It is hoped the York project can feed into the future development of ORCID options in Pure and assist the Pure UK user community.

• Having the back-up of a University policy (in York’s case the Policy on the Publication of Research) is valuable. If nothing else, it illustrates the degree of institutional support for ORCID iDs within the University. The policy also provides a route in for discussion of ORCID with departments and Chairs of Departmental Research Committees.

• If the overall approach is to work and be sustainable, the messages provided to researchers need to be clear and consistent. It is important to consider if different messages may be needed for different user groups. for example, research staff, postgraduate research students, etc.

• For implementation to be successful, there needs to be institutional support at all levels and across the University including the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, the Library/IT Services/Archives, CRIS staff, and research administrators based in departments.

• In terms of benefits accruing to individual researchers and the University, it is too early to judge what will actually be delivered in terms of efficiency gains and staff time. System interoperability will be a key factor as will the adoption of ORCID iDs by key players such as research councils.