It is important to get credit for all your works (and just your works), and getting an ORCID identifier will assist you in this.
ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) is a non-proprietary, international ID that provides you with a persistent digital identifier that disambiguates you from every other researcher. It is strategically important because it enables all databases to automatically link journal articles, books, standards, datasets, and more to you by your ORCID. At ORCID you can create a profile, link it to your ResearchID and/or import publications from a crossref search. Further functionality is being developed.
Go to ORCID, register for an ORCID ID (under "for researchers") and complete your profile. While doing so, select “Add Works” to import your publication details.
Select the privacy settings you prefer before logging out.
See more about the ORCID registry.
Web of Science offers a complementary means for establishing your own unique identifier - ResearcherID (Thomson Reuters). Many researchers link the two identifiers. A ResearcherID is useful in that much citation analysis for those in the STEM fields can be done within Web of Science. For more information about setting up a ResearcherID in Web of Science, go to the ResearcherID home page.
Note: ORCID is being widely adopted. ADS (NASA Astrophysics Data System) is collaborating with ORCID to facilitate the article claiming process. Also, many journals and publishers are or will soon require authors to include their ORCID with their submission.
