Taking an academic pseudonym?












57















I am a senior undergraduate about to publish my first academic paper, and have been thinking about taking an academic pseudonym to make myself easier to identify.



My full name is shared by at least three famous people (including one celebrity and one international athlete), and at least two people inside academia (one of whom works in my field). This is my major reason for wanting to change. In modern academia, it seems online identity/SEO is becoming increasingly important, and I don't want to have to compete for namespace with other people, who are:




  1. more famous than I'll likely ever be; and

  2. already have established careers and goodwill under that name.


Basically, it seems like it could be a real hindrance when trying to get my career off the ground.



I am quite attached to my first name, so I'm thinking about changing my last name only to an ancient variant of it. It's a similar name, but much less common, and it couldn't be mistaken as a misspelling of my real name (think Busher vs Bouchier, or Lombard vs Lambert). I can't find evidence of anyone online using that name, so it seems to solve all the problems mentioned above.



I hope to continue into academia and become a professor, in which case I would publish and be known professionally under the new name.
I'd rather not legally change my name, or have to change my name within my personal life, so it would be a situation of having separate professional and personal names. In the event I don't succeed/continue into academia, I could always just revert to my real name (unlikely that my published work will be relevant anyhow).



I'd like to get advice from you all, especially those of you that use a pseudonym in your academic work. A couple questions I have:




  1. Does this seem like a worthwhile idea?

  2. Could there be any issues with having different legal and professional names in a university IT system?

  3. Should I change my undergrad enrolment to be under my new academic name? How about when applying to postgrad/PhD programs?

  4. If I don't do (3), could/should I get degrees reprinted (once I have an established career) under my academic name, rather than my personal name?

  5. Are there any hairy issues that could arise from this, which I might not have considered?


Thanks!










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  • 2





    I cannot imagine that (3,4) is possible without a legal change of name. Welcome to the site!

    – guest2
    19 hours ago






  • 27





    Adding or changing a middle name or initial(s) can be a lightweight way of doing this. If e.g. your legal name is John Busher and you publish as John Bouchier, this will need explaining to every employer you work for, and probably also publishers, conferences, and anyone else you have financial/contractual dealings with. (It won’t be obvious that the John Busher on your formal paperwork and the John Bouchier on your publications/website are the same person.) If you publish as (say) John Quentin Busher, this is just as distinctive, but much less likely to raise eyebrows or cause confusion.

    – PLL
    19 hours ago








  • 13





    "No way! Why should I change? He's the one who sucks." -- Michael Bolton, Office Space

    – Kimball
    15 hours ago






  • 5





    This topic has come up a lot. Related: this, this, this, and this.

    – Dan Romik
    14 hours ago








  • 6





    I guessed your name from your description right away. And when I saw your online name for SE, I understood that I guessed correctly. You may want to use a pseudonym at least for your SE account....

    – Captain Emacs
    13 hours ago
















57















I am a senior undergraduate about to publish my first academic paper, and have been thinking about taking an academic pseudonym to make myself easier to identify.



My full name is shared by at least three famous people (including one celebrity and one international athlete), and at least two people inside academia (one of whom works in my field). This is my major reason for wanting to change. In modern academia, it seems online identity/SEO is becoming increasingly important, and I don't want to have to compete for namespace with other people, who are:




  1. more famous than I'll likely ever be; and

  2. already have established careers and goodwill under that name.


Basically, it seems like it could be a real hindrance when trying to get my career off the ground.



I am quite attached to my first name, so I'm thinking about changing my last name only to an ancient variant of it. It's a similar name, but much less common, and it couldn't be mistaken as a misspelling of my real name (think Busher vs Bouchier, or Lombard vs Lambert). I can't find evidence of anyone online using that name, so it seems to solve all the problems mentioned above.



I hope to continue into academia and become a professor, in which case I would publish and be known professionally under the new name.
I'd rather not legally change my name, or have to change my name within my personal life, so it would be a situation of having separate professional and personal names. In the event I don't succeed/continue into academia, I could always just revert to my real name (unlikely that my published work will be relevant anyhow).



I'd like to get advice from you all, especially those of you that use a pseudonym in your academic work. A couple questions I have:




  1. Does this seem like a worthwhile idea?

  2. Could there be any issues with having different legal and professional names in a university IT system?

  3. Should I change my undergrad enrolment to be under my new academic name? How about when applying to postgrad/PhD programs?

  4. If I don't do (3), could/should I get degrees reprinted (once I have an established career) under my academic name, rather than my personal name?

  5. Are there any hairy issues that could arise from this, which I might not have considered?


Thanks!










share|improve this question







New contributor




Jordan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 2





    I cannot imagine that (3,4) is possible without a legal change of name. Welcome to the site!

    – guest2
    19 hours ago






  • 27





    Adding or changing a middle name or initial(s) can be a lightweight way of doing this. If e.g. your legal name is John Busher and you publish as John Bouchier, this will need explaining to every employer you work for, and probably also publishers, conferences, and anyone else you have financial/contractual dealings with. (It won’t be obvious that the John Busher on your formal paperwork and the John Bouchier on your publications/website are the same person.) If you publish as (say) John Quentin Busher, this is just as distinctive, but much less likely to raise eyebrows or cause confusion.

    – PLL
    19 hours ago








  • 13





    "No way! Why should I change? He's the one who sucks." -- Michael Bolton, Office Space

    – Kimball
    15 hours ago






  • 5





    This topic has come up a lot. Related: this, this, this, and this.

    – Dan Romik
    14 hours ago








  • 6





    I guessed your name from your description right away. And when I saw your online name for SE, I understood that I guessed correctly. You may want to use a pseudonym at least for your SE account....

    – Captain Emacs
    13 hours ago














57












57








57


5






I am a senior undergraduate about to publish my first academic paper, and have been thinking about taking an academic pseudonym to make myself easier to identify.



My full name is shared by at least three famous people (including one celebrity and one international athlete), and at least two people inside academia (one of whom works in my field). This is my major reason for wanting to change. In modern academia, it seems online identity/SEO is becoming increasingly important, and I don't want to have to compete for namespace with other people, who are:




  1. more famous than I'll likely ever be; and

  2. already have established careers and goodwill under that name.


Basically, it seems like it could be a real hindrance when trying to get my career off the ground.



I am quite attached to my first name, so I'm thinking about changing my last name only to an ancient variant of it. It's a similar name, but much less common, and it couldn't be mistaken as a misspelling of my real name (think Busher vs Bouchier, or Lombard vs Lambert). I can't find evidence of anyone online using that name, so it seems to solve all the problems mentioned above.



I hope to continue into academia and become a professor, in which case I would publish and be known professionally under the new name.
I'd rather not legally change my name, or have to change my name within my personal life, so it would be a situation of having separate professional and personal names. In the event I don't succeed/continue into academia, I could always just revert to my real name (unlikely that my published work will be relevant anyhow).



I'd like to get advice from you all, especially those of you that use a pseudonym in your academic work. A couple questions I have:




  1. Does this seem like a worthwhile idea?

  2. Could there be any issues with having different legal and professional names in a university IT system?

  3. Should I change my undergrad enrolment to be under my new academic name? How about when applying to postgrad/PhD programs?

  4. If I don't do (3), could/should I get degrees reprinted (once I have an established career) under my academic name, rather than my personal name?

  5. Are there any hairy issues that could arise from this, which I might not have considered?


Thanks!










share|improve this question







New contributor




Jordan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I am a senior undergraduate about to publish my first academic paper, and have been thinking about taking an academic pseudonym to make myself easier to identify.



My full name is shared by at least three famous people (including one celebrity and one international athlete), and at least two people inside academia (one of whom works in my field). This is my major reason for wanting to change. In modern academia, it seems online identity/SEO is becoming increasingly important, and I don't want to have to compete for namespace with other people, who are:




  1. more famous than I'll likely ever be; and

  2. already have established careers and goodwill under that name.


Basically, it seems like it could be a real hindrance when trying to get my career off the ground.



I am quite attached to my first name, so I'm thinking about changing my last name only to an ancient variant of it. It's a similar name, but much less common, and it couldn't be mistaken as a misspelling of my real name (think Busher vs Bouchier, or Lombard vs Lambert). I can't find evidence of anyone online using that name, so it seems to solve all the problems mentioned above.



I hope to continue into academia and become a professor, in which case I would publish and be known professionally under the new name.
I'd rather not legally change my name, or have to change my name within my personal life, so it would be a situation of having separate professional and personal names. In the event I don't succeed/continue into academia, I could always just revert to my real name (unlikely that my published work will be relevant anyhow).



I'd like to get advice from you all, especially those of you that use a pseudonym in your academic work. A couple questions I have:




  1. Does this seem like a worthwhile idea?

  2. Could there be any issues with having different legal and professional names in a university IT system?

  3. Should I change my undergrad enrolment to be under my new academic name? How about when applying to postgrad/PhD programs?

  4. If I don't do (3), could/should I get degrees reprinted (once I have an established career) under my academic name, rather than my personal name?

  5. Are there any hairy issues that could arise from this, which I might not have considered?


Thanks!







personal-name






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asked 20 hours ago









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  • 2





    I cannot imagine that (3,4) is possible without a legal change of name. Welcome to the site!

    – guest2
    19 hours ago






  • 27





    Adding or changing a middle name or initial(s) can be a lightweight way of doing this. If e.g. your legal name is John Busher and you publish as John Bouchier, this will need explaining to every employer you work for, and probably also publishers, conferences, and anyone else you have financial/contractual dealings with. (It won’t be obvious that the John Busher on your formal paperwork and the John Bouchier on your publications/website are the same person.) If you publish as (say) John Quentin Busher, this is just as distinctive, but much less likely to raise eyebrows or cause confusion.

    – PLL
    19 hours ago








  • 13





    "No way! Why should I change? He's the one who sucks." -- Michael Bolton, Office Space

    – Kimball
    15 hours ago






  • 5





    This topic has come up a lot. Related: this, this, this, and this.

    – Dan Romik
    14 hours ago








  • 6





    I guessed your name from your description right away. And when I saw your online name for SE, I understood that I guessed correctly. You may want to use a pseudonym at least for your SE account....

    – Captain Emacs
    13 hours ago














  • 2





    I cannot imagine that (3,4) is possible without a legal change of name. Welcome to the site!

    – guest2
    19 hours ago






  • 27





    Adding or changing a middle name or initial(s) can be a lightweight way of doing this. If e.g. your legal name is John Busher and you publish as John Bouchier, this will need explaining to every employer you work for, and probably also publishers, conferences, and anyone else you have financial/contractual dealings with. (It won’t be obvious that the John Busher on your formal paperwork and the John Bouchier on your publications/website are the same person.) If you publish as (say) John Quentin Busher, this is just as distinctive, but much less likely to raise eyebrows or cause confusion.

    – PLL
    19 hours ago








  • 13





    "No way! Why should I change? He's the one who sucks." -- Michael Bolton, Office Space

    – Kimball
    15 hours ago






  • 5





    This topic has come up a lot. Related: this, this, this, and this.

    – Dan Romik
    14 hours ago








  • 6





    I guessed your name from your description right away. And when I saw your online name for SE, I understood that I guessed correctly. You may want to use a pseudonym at least for your SE account....

    – Captain Emacs
    13 hours ago








2




2





I cannot imagine that (3,4) is possible without a legal change of name. Welcome to the site!

– guest2
19 hours ago





I cannot imagine that (3,4) is possible without a legal change of name. Welcome to the site!

– guest2
19 hours ago




27




27





Adding or changing a middle name or initial(s) can be a lightweight way of doing this. If e.g. your legal name is John Busher and you publish as John Bouchier, this will need explaining to every employer you work for, and probably also publishers, conferences, and anyone else you have financial/contractual dealings with. (It won’t be obvious that the John Busher on your formal paperwork and the John Bouchier on your publications/website are the same person.) If you publish as (say) John Quentin Busher, this is just as distinctive, but much less likely to raise eyebrows or cause confusion.

– PLL
19 hours ago







Adding or changing a middle name or initial(s) can be a lightweight way of doing this. If e.g. your legal name is John Busher and you publish as John Bouchier, this will need explaining to every employer you work for, and probably also publishers, conferences, and anyone else you have financial/contractual dealings with. (It won’t be obvious that the John Busher on your formal paperwork and the John Bouchier on your publications/website are the same person.) If you publish as (say) John Quentin Busher, this is just as distinctive, but much less likely to raise eyebrows or cause confusion.

– PLL
19 hours ago






13




13





"No way! Why should I change? He's the one who sucks." -- Michael Bolton, Office Space

– Kimball
15 hours ago





"No way! Why should I change? He's the one who sucks." -- Michael Bolton, Office Space

– Kimball
15 hours ago




5




5





This topic has come up a lot. Related: this, this, this, and this.

– Dan Romik
14 hours ago







This topic has come up a lot. Related: this, this, this, and this.

– Dan Romik
14 hours ago






6




6





I guessed your name from your description right away. And when I saw your online name for SE, I understood that I guessed correctly. You may want to use a pseudonym at least for your SE account....

– Captain Emacs
13 hours ago





I guessed your name from your description right away. And when I saw your online name for SE, I understood that I guessed correctly. You may want to use a pseudonym at least for your SE account....

– Captain Emacs
13 hours ago










6 Answers
6






active

oldest

votes


















19














If you have a middle name, then you could add a hyphen to derive a new name, e.g., Alpha Bravo Charlie could become Alpha Bravo-Charlie.




Does this seem like a worthwhile idea?




Yes




Could there be any issues with having different legal and professional names in a university IT system?




Yes, but this will vary university to university. An obvious problem might be the assignment of email addresses, e.g., Alpha.Bravo@university.edu, but this can be resolved by a polite email.




Should I change my undergrad enrolment to be under my new academic name?




This mightn't be possible, you'd need to justify (perhaps legally) a reason (which you cannot legally prove).




How about when applying to postgrad/PhD programs?




You need to be careful: Don't commit fraud. Being employed under a non-legal name is possibly illegal, publishing under a non-legal name is not.




could/should I get degrees reprinted (once I have an established career) under my academic name, rather than my personal name?




Some institutes may question a certificate in the "wrong" name, others won't, many won't check.




Are there any hairy issues that could arise from this, which I might not have considered?




You might inadvertently commit fraud...






share|improve this answer



















  • 3





    Using the middle names is, perhaps, the best idea.

    – Solar Mike
    19 hours ago






  • 6





    I like the answer. I would add one thing to "applying": Apply under your real name for legal reasons, but mention both your civil and academic name up-front in your CV to avoid confusion.

    – yo'
    18 hours ago











  • @yo' Indeed! Keep it legal for HR and use your professional name with the interview team.

    – user2768
    17 hours ago






  • 3





    "[email address assignment] can be resolved by a polite email." This depends heavily on the University. My current one is happy to hand out email aliases, but I've been at others who take a hardline "your email address is autodetermined from your official name when you first joined, end of discussion" even for people who legally changed names while there (e.g. through marriage). Heck, I've been at a place which even refused to allow you to change the "display" portion of the address in the internal email directory (LDAP).

    – R.M.
    14 hours ago






  • 1





    @R.M. Some institutions are indeed rather backwards...

    – user2768
    13 hours ago



















21














Complementary to your own suggestions and the ones in the other answers, you could consider creating an ORCID (or of course any other unique researcher/author ID) and using it in all publications. The benefits here:




  • By adding a unique identifier to your name, the name collisions can be resolved.

  • If your change your name at a certain point (e.g., if you decide to change your name as you suggested in the question), the ID will remain the same. Therefore, you even might be able to postpone the decision whether to change your name.

  • Since you mention online identity and SEO: At least ORCID comes with a profile web site (I am not familiar with other ID systems), where you can add your personal information and even maintain a list of your publications. Usually, a link to this profile is added to the publication, so readers can follow it. As to search engine optimization, I am not expert here but I would guess that the outcome of those algorithms improves if there is a unique ID that groups your contributions together.


Of course, all those ID systems are quite recent and might not be accepted (yet) by the journals and/or researchers in your field. Nevertheless, I would give it a try since it comes at no cost (which I presume won't be the case for changing legal documents).






share|improve this answer





















  • 10





    I know many researchers who don't know/ don't care at all about ORCIDs.

    – guest2
    19 hours ago






  • 2





    @guest2 Possibly, but this would be another good reason to use it -- to promote the ORCID system, which is designed to resolve such name conflicts.

    – carlosvalderrama
    19 hours ago








  • 2





    I agree with you, however, I think, in the current situation, "will clarify" is unfortunately not correct:(

    – guest2
    18 hours ago






  • 3





    I don't see how this addresses to SEO issue

    – user2768
    17 hours ago






  • 10





    +1. Here is a recent call in Nature for Chinese researchers, who suffer from enormous name collisions, to sign up for ORCIDs, or for that matter, any other kind of identifier.

    – Stephan Kolassa
    17 hours ago



















7














A former colleague has effectively swapped their middle and family names for publishing purposes (I believe their given middle name is also in some way inherited). The now surname is (for native English-speakers) simpler and more natural to spell and pronounce than the legal one, and they use the initial of the legal surname as a middle initial. The new name is simultaneously academically unique and intuitive for people from many cultures (working in English).



Applying this to Dorothy Hodgkin as an example would give Dorothy H.Crowfoot.



This is a slightly bigger change than the one you propose, and so far seems to work well.






share|improve this answer































    3














    These kinds of variants are very common with first and middle names, but I've never seen it with a last name. For example someone with legal name Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson might easily publish under:




    • Charles Dodgeson

    • Charles L. Dodgeson

    • Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson

    • C. Lutwidge Dodgeson

    • C. L. Dodgeson (I don't know anyone who does this, but it would probably be fine)

    • Chase Dodgeson (in the case where the person goes by Chase)

    • Lutwidge Dodgeson (in the case where the person goes by their middle name)

    • Chase L. Dodgeson

    • C. Larry Dodgeson

    • ...


    Maybe such a variant works for you. But normally, changes from First Middle Last are toward how one introduces oneself in conversation, not away.



    As others have said, regardless of how you publish, IT systems and degrees will always contain your legal name. Having these be different is normal and fine as in the "Chase Dodgeson" example. The main sources of friction I see would be




    1. When applying for jobs, it can confuse people or possibly someone will disbelieve these are your publications (although if they are listed on your website which contains both your legal name and pseudonym, hopefully it's okay).


    2. People may be confused when meeting you in person or hearing about you third-hand, then they go to look for your publications. Every such interaction now needs some additional explanation, or maybe just a good explanatory sentence prominently on your website.



    If you keep your last name unchanged, both of these are much easier or not existent at all. I think the difficulties are surmountable, but I'd definitely consider all your other options first. One is to legally change your middle name and use a variant with the middle initial or the full middle name.






    share|improve this answer
























    • T. S. Kelso from Celestrak commonly uses the option you claimed to know no examples.

      – Mefitico
      10 hours ago











    • Not to mention J.R.R. Tolkien... Though I don't know if he used that abbreviation in his academic writings.

      – V2Blast
      10 hours ago











    • In all academic settings, I would introduce myself and be known by my pseudonym. I think that should prevent the issues you outline in (2). I'd probably also include a small note on my website explaining the situation.

      – Jordan
      9 hours ago



















    2














    Devil's advocate here.



    I personally consider it a worthwhile idea, especially if you could add your middle name somewhere (as opposed to using a different last name). It would be a minor change in publications (just adding one letter), and it would still be easy to see how it refers to you.



    However, this could be an issue for any publications you published before, and as you mentioned, degrees and enrollment, that you probably cannot change easily without legal proof (depending on your country).



    Look at chinese researchers though, a lot of them have identical first name and last name, and they still end up publishing with these names. I see several reasons not to change the name: first, because they are identified usually by the academy they work in, which pretty much always goes with the author's name on a paper. Second, when you apply somewhere, or contact someone, if they are interested to look into you, they can make the effort to add one extra word and find you, for example by specifying your field of expertise, or again, your academy. For other people who happened to search for you on their own, the same answer is pretty much the same. If they look for you, they can make that extra effort (and if they work/look a lot into your field, their google history may be biased and will most likely already gets your result ahead).






    share|improve this answer








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    • The enrolment shouldn't be an issue - happy to do that under my legal name, but having degrees printed under a different name (to what I'm known as in academia) could be slightly annoying. I would be transparent about it, however

      – Jordan
      9 hours ago



















    2














    One option you may have is changing your name legally. This would avoid some of the complications you see. This is the time to do it, before you graduate and have a diploma under the current name.



    As far as I know, the only reason to avoid using another name legally is that you can, in some circumstances be accused of fraud, but those circumstances are not the ones here since you don't have a fraudulent purpose.



    I have something of a similar problem. I don't carry my birth name, for complicated reasons, but wish that I did. But once I graduated college it always seemed too late to change.



    However, if you simply use a pseudonym, it will be learned sooner or later. That might complicate things or not, so think about that. If people start referring to you under both names interchangeably, others will be confused. You will eventually want a passport if you don't already have one. For this you need to use your legal name, and so, when you travel to international conferences, it will normally be under that name (a minor obstacle, of course).



    And maybe some other famous athlete or academic will come along with your newly chosen name in any case. I share names with both famous athletes and academics, by the way. It has never been an issue, but in my case the fields of study are different. I've only ever gotten one email that should have gone to the other academic. A bit humorous, that.



    Finally, your difficulty in starting out a career will be determined by far more fundamental things, I predict. As such, there is probably little downside in just leaving it as it is, using your current name.






    share|improve this answer


























    • I'd like to avoid changing my legal name - that seems like quite a hassle, and I'm not sure if it's necessary. I suppose it would always be possible to do this later in life? I'm alright with others knowing about it - I plan to be quite transparent about it, e.g. including a small note on my CV / personal website.

      – Jordan
      9 hours ago











    • Yes, it requires the OK from a judge in many places, though I don't think that a lawyer is needed (but I'm not a lawyer). But it is best to keep a single persona for professional reasons.

      – Buffy
      9 hours ago











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    active

    oldest

    votes









    19














    If you have a middle name, then you could add a hyphen to derive a new name, e.g., Alpha Bravo Charlie could become Alpha Bravo-Charlie.




    Does this seem like a worthwhile idea?




    Yes




    Could there be any issues with having different legal and professional names in a university IT system?




    Yes, but this will vary university to university. An obvious problem might be the assignment of email addresses, e.g., Alpha.Bravo@university.edu, but this can be resolved by a polite email.




    Should I change my undergrad enrolment to be under my new academic name?




    This mightn't be possible, you'd need to justify (perhaps legally) a reason (which you cannot legally prove).




    How about when applying to postgrad/PhD programs?




    You need to be careful: Don't commit fraud. Being employed under a non-legal name is possibly illegal, publishing under a non-legal name is not.




    could/should I get degrees reprinted (once I have an established career) under my academic name, rather than my personal name?




    Some institutes may question a certificate in the "wrong" name, others won't, many won't check.




    Are there any hairy issues that could arise from this, which I might not have considered?




    You might inadvertently commit fraud...






    share|improve this answer



















    • 3





      Using the middle names is, perhaps, the best idea.

      – Solar Mike
      19 hours ago






    • 6





      I like the answer. I would add one thing to "applying": Apply under your real name for legal reasons, but mention both your civil and academic name up-front in your CV to avoid confusion.

      – yo'
      18 hours ago











    • @yo' Indeed! Keep it legal for HR and use your professional name with the interview team.

      – user2768
      17 hours ago






    • 3





      "[email address assignment] can be resolved by a polite email." This depends heavily on the University. My current one is happy to hand out email aliases, but I've been at others who take a hardline "your email address is autodetermined from your official name when you first joined, end of discussion" even for people who legally changed names while there (e.g. through marriage). Heck, I've been at a place which even refused to allow you to change the "display" portion of the address in the internal email directory (LDAP).

      – R.M.
      14 hours ago






    • 1





      @R.M. Some institutions are indeed rather backwards...

      – user2768
      13 hours ago
















    19














    If you have a middle name, then you could add a hyphen to derive a new name, e.g., Alpha Bravo Charlie could become Alpha Bravo-Charlie.




    Does this seem like a worthwhile idea?




    Yes




    Could there be any issues with having different legal and professional names in a university IT system?




    Yes, but this will vary university to university. An obvious problem might be the assignment of email addresses, e.g., Alpha.Bravo@university.edu, but this can be resolved by a polite email.




    Should I change my undergrad enrolment to be under my new academic name?




    This mightn't be possible, you'd need to justify (perhaps legally) a reason (which you cannot legally prove).




    How about when applying to postgrad/PhD programs?




    You need to be careful: Don't commit fraud. Being employed under a non-legal name is possibly illegal, publishing under a non-legal name is not.




    could/should I get degrees reprinted (once I have an established career) under my academic name, rather than my personal name?




    Some institutes may question a certificate in the "wrong" name, others won't, many won't check.




    Are there any hairy issues that could arise from this, which I might not have considered?




    You might inadvertently commit fraud...






    share|improve this answer



















    • 3





      Using the middle names is, perhaps, the best idea.

      – Solar Mike
      19 hours ago






    • 6





      I like the answer. I would add one thing to "applying": Apply under your real name for legal reasons, but mention both your civil and academic name up-front in your CV to avoid confusion.

      – yo'
      18 hours ago











    • @yo' Indeed! Keep it legal for HR and use your professional name with the interview team.

      – user2768
      17 hours ago






    • 3





      "[email address assignment] can be resolved by a polite email." This depends heavily on the University. My current one is happy to hand out email aliases, but I've been at others who take a hardline "your email address is autodetermined from your official name when you first joined, end of discussion" even for people who legally changed names while there (e.g. through marriage). Heck, I've been at a place which even refused to allow you to change the "display" portion of the address in the internal email directory (LDAP).

      – R.M.
      14 hours ago






    • 1





      @R.M. Some institutions are indeed rather backwards...

      – user2768
      13 hours ago














    19












    19








    19







    If you have a middle name, then you could add a hyphen to derive a new name, e.g., Alpha Bravo Charlie could become Alpha Bravo-Charlie.




    Does this seem like a worthwhile idea?




    Yes




    Could there be any issues with having different legal and professional names in a university IT system?




    Yes, but this will vary university to university. An obvious problem might be the assignment of email addresses, e.g., Alpha.Bravo@university.edu, but this can be resolved by a polite email.




    Should I change my undergrad enrolment to be under my new academic name?




    This mightn't be possible, you'd need to justify (perhaps legally) a reason (which you cannot legally prove).




    How about when applying to postgrad/PhD programs?




    You need to be careful: Don't commit fraud. Being employed under a non-legal name is possibly illegal, publishing under a non-legal name is not.




    could/should I get degrees reprinted (once I have an established career) under my academic name, rather than my personal name?




    Some institutes may question a certificate in the "wrong" name, others won't, many won't check.




    Are there any hairy issues that could arise from this, which I might not have considered?




    You might inadvertently commit fraud...






    share|improve this answer













    If you have a middle name, then you could add a hyphen to derive a new name, e.g., Alpha Bravo Charlie could become Alpha Bravo-Charlie.




    Does this seem like a worthwhile idea?




    Yes




    Could there be any issues with having different legal and professional names in a university IT system?




    Yes, but this will vary university to university. An obvious problem might be the assignment of email addresses, e.g., Alpha.Bravo@university.edu, but this can be resolved by a polite email.




    Should I change my undergrad enrolment to be under my new academic name?




    This mightn't be possible, you'd need to justify (perhaps legally) a reason (which you cannot legally prove).




    How about when applying to postgrad/PhD programs?




    You need to be careful: Don't commit fraud. Being employed under a non-legal name is possibly illegal, publishing under a non-legal name is not.




    could/should I get degrees reprinted (once I have an established career) under my academic name, rather than my personal name?




    Some institutes may question a certificate in the "wrong" name, others won't, many won't check.




    Are there any hairy issues that could arise from this, which I might not have considered?




    You might inadvertently commit fraud...







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 19 hours ago









    user2768user2768

    13.2k23356




    13.2k23356








    • 3





      Using the middle names is, perhaps, the best idea.

      – Solar Mike
      19 hours ago






    • 6





      I like the answer. I would add one thing to "applying": Apply under your real name for legal reasons, but mention both your civil and academic name up-front in your CV to avoid confusion.

      – yo'
      18 hours ago











    • @yo' Indeed! Keep it legal for HR and use your professional name with the interview team.

      – user2768
      17 hours ago






    • 3





      "[email address assignment] can be resolved by a polite email." This depends heavily on the University. My current one is happy to hand out email aliases, but I've been at others who take a hardline "your email address is autodetermined from your official name when you first joined, end of discussion" even for people who legally changed names while there (e.g. through marriage). Heck, I've been at a place which even refused to allow you to change the "display" portion of the address in the internal email directory (LDAP).

      – R.M.
      14 hours ago






    • 1





      @R.M. Some institutions are indeed rather backwards...

      – user2768
      13 hours ago














    • 3





      Using the middle names is, perhaps, the best idea.

      – Solar Mike
      19 hours ago






    • 6





      I like the answer. I would add one thing to "applying": Apply under your real name for legal reasons, but mention both your civil and academic name up-front in your CV to avoid confusion.

      – yo'
      18 hours ago











    • @yo' Indeed! Keep it legal for HR and use your professional name with the interview team.

      – user2768
      17 hours ago






    • 3





      "[email address assignment] can be resolved by a polite email." This depends heavily on the University. My current one is happy to hand out email aliases, but I've been at others who take a hardline "your email address is autodetermined from your official name when you first joined, end of discussion" even for people who legally changed names while there (e.g. through marriage). Heck, I've been at a place which even refused to allow you to change the "display" portion of the address in the internal email directory (LDAP).

      – R.M.
      14 hours ago






    • 1





      @R.M. Some institutions are indeed rather backwards...

      – user2768
      13 hours ago








    3




    3





    Using the middle names is, perhaps, the best idea.

    – Solar Mike
    19 hours ago





    Using the middle names is, perhaps, the best idea.

    – Solar Mike
    19 hours ago




    6




    6





    I like the answer. I would add one thing to "applying": Apply under your real name for legal reasons, but mention both your civil and academic name up-front in your CV to avoid confusion.

    – yo'
    18 hours ago





    I like the answer. I would add one thing to "applying": Apply under your real name for legal reasons, but mention both your civil and academic name up-front in your CV to avoid confusion.

    – yo'
    18 hours ago













    @yo' Indeed! Keep it legal for HR and use your professional name with the interview team.

    – user2768
    17 hours ago





    @yo' Indeed! Keep it legal for HR and use your professional name with the interview team.

    – user2768
    17 hours ago




    3




    3





    "[email address assignment] can be resolved by a polite email." This depends heavily on the University. My current one is happy to hand out email aliases, but I've been at others who take a hardline "your email address is autodetermined from your official name when you first joined, end of discussion" even for people who legally changed names while there (e.g. through marriage). Heck, I've been at a place which even refused to allow you to change the "display" portion of the address in the internal email directory (LDAP).

    – R.M.
    14 hours ago





    "[email address assignment] can be resolved by a polite email." This depends heavily on the University. My current one is happy to hand out email aliases, but I've been at others who take a hardline "your email address is autodetermined from your official name when you first joined, end of discussion" even for people who legally changed names while there (e.g. through marriage). Heck, I've been at a place which even refused to allow you to change the "display" portion of the address in the internal email directory (LDAP).

    – R.M.
    14 hours ago




    1




    1





    @R.M. Some institutions are indeed rather backwards...

    – user2768
    13 hours ago





    @R.M. Some institutions are indeed rather backwards...

    – user2768
    13 hours ago











    21














    Complementary to your own suggestions and the ones in the other answers, you could consider creating an ORCID (or of course any other unique researcher/author ID) and using it in all publications. The benefits here:




    • By adding a unique identifier to your name, the name collisions can be resolved.

    • If your change your name at a certain point (e.g., if you decide to change your name as you suggested in the question), the ID will remain the same. Therefore, you even might be able to postpone the decision whether to change your name.

    • Since you mention online identity and SEO: At least ORCID comes with a profile web site (I am not familiar with other ID systems), where you can add your personal information and even maintain a list of your publications. Usually, a link to this profile is added to the publication, so readers can follow it. As to search engine optimization, I am not expert here but I would guess that the outcome of those algorithms improves if there is a unique ID that groups your contributions together.


    Of course, all those ID systems are quite recent and might not be accepted (yet) by the journals and/or researchers in your field. Nevertheless, I would give it a try since it comes at no cost (which I presume won't be the case for changing legal documents).






    share|improve this answer





















    • 10





      I know many researchers who don't know/ don't care at all about ORCIDs.

      – guest2
      19 hours ago






    • 2





      @guest2 Possibly, but this would be another good reason to use it -- to promote the ORCID system, which is designed to resolve such name conflicts.

      – carlosvalderrama
      19 hours ago








    • 2





      I agree with you, however, I think, in the current situation, "will clarify" is unfortunately not correct:(

      – guest2
      18 hours ago






    • 3





      I don't see how this addresses to SEO issue

      – user2768
      17 hours ago






    • 10





      +1. Here is a recent call in Nature for Chinese researchers, who suffer from enormous name collisions, to sign up for ORCIDs, or for that matter, any other kind of identifier.

      – Stephan Kolassa
      17 hours ago
















    21














    Complementary to your own suggestions and the ones in the other answers, you could consider creating an ORCID (or of course any other unique researcher/author ID) and using it in all publications. The benefits here:




    • By adding a unique identifier to your name, the name collisions can be resolved.

    • If your change your name at a certain point (e.g., if you decide to change your name as you suggested in the question), the ID will remain the same. Therefore, you even might be able to postpone the decision whether to change your name.

    • Since you mention online identity and SEO: At least ORCID comes with a profile web site (I am not familiar with other ID systems), where you can add your personal information and even maintain a list of your publications. Usually, a link to this profile is added to the publication, so readers can follow it. As to search engine optimization, I am not expert here but I would guess that the outcome of those algorithms improves if there is a unique ID that groups your contributions together.


    Of course, all those ID systems are quite recent and might not be accepted (yet) by the journals and/or researchers in your field. Nevertheless, I would give it a try since it comes at no cost (which I presume won't be the case for changing legal documents).






    share|improve this answer





















    • 10





      I know many researchers who don't know/ don't care at all about ORCIDs.

      – guest2
      19 hours ago






    • 2





      @guest2 Possibly, but this would be another good reason to use it -- to promote the ORCID system, which is designed to resolve such name conflicts.

      – carlosvalderrama
      19 hours ago








    • 2





      I agree with you, however, I think, in the current situation, "will clarify" is unfortunately not correct:(

      – guest2
      18 hours ago






    • 3





      I don't see how this addresses to SEO issue

      – user2768
      17 hours ago






    • 10





      +1. Here is a recent call in Nature for Chinese researchers, who suffer from enormous name collisions, to sign up for ORCIDs, or for that matter, any other kind of identifier.

      – Stephan Kolassa
      17 hours ago














    21












    21








    21







    Complementary to your own suggestions and the ones in the other answers, you could consider creating an ORCID (or of course any other unique researcher/author ID) and using it in all publications. The benefits here:




    • By adding a unique identifier to your name, the name collisions can be resolved.

    • If your change your name at a certain point (e.g., if you decide to change your name as you suggested in the question), the ID will remain the same. Therefore, you even might be able to postpone the decision whether to change your name.

    • Since you mention online identity and SEO: At least ORCID comes with a profile web site (I am not familiar with other ID systems), where you can add your personal information and even maintain a list of your publications. Usually, a link to this profile is added to the publication, so readers can follow it. As to search engine optimization, I am not expert here but I would guess that the outcome of those algorithms improves if there is a unique ID that groups your contributions together.


    Of course, all those ID systems are quite recent and might not be accepted (yet) by the journals and/or researchers in your field. Nevertheless, I would give it a try since it comes at no cost (which I presume won't be the case for changing legal documents).






    share|improve this answer















    Complementary to your own suggestions and the ones in the other answers, you could consider creating an ORCID (or of course any other unique researcher/author ID) and using it in all publications. The benefits here:




    • By adding a unique identifier to your name, the name collisions can be resolved.

    • If your change your name at a certain point (e.g., if you decide to change your name as you suggested in the question), the ID will remain the same. Therefore, you even might be able to postpone the decision whether to change your name.

    • Since you mention online identity and SEO: At least ORCID comes with a profile web site (I am not familiar with other ID systems), where you can add your personal information and even maintain a list of your publications. Usually, a link to this profile is added to the publication, so readers can follow it. As to search engine optimization, I am not expert here but I would guess that the outcome of those algorithms improves if there is a unique ID that groups your contributions together.


    Of course, all those ID systems are quite recent and might not be accepted (yet) by the journals and/or researchers in your field. Nevertheless, I would give it a try since it comes at no cost (which I presume won't be the case for changing legal documents).







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 9 hours ago









    V2Blast

    17418




    17418










    answered 19 hours ago









    carlosvalderramacarlosvalderrama

    3568




    3568








    • 10





      I know many researchers who don't know/ don't care at all about ORCIDs.

      – guest2
      19 hours ago






    • 2





      @guest2 Possibly, but this would be another good reason to use it -- to promote the ORCID system, which is designed to resolve such name conflicts.

      – carlosvalderrama
      19 hours ago








    • 2





      I agree with you, however, I think, in the current situation, "will clarify" is unfortunately not correct:(

      – guest2
      18 hours ago






    • 3





      I don't see how this addresses to SEO issue

      – user2768
      17 hours ago






    • 10





      +1. Here is a recent call in Nature for Chinese researchers, who suffer from enormous name collisions, to sign up for ORCIDs, or for that matter, any other kind of identifier.

      – Stephan Kolassa
      17 hours ago














    • 10





      I know many researchers who don't know/ don't care at all about ORCIDs.

      – guest2
      19 hours ago






    • 2





      @guest2 Possibly, but this would be another good reason to use it -- to promote the ORCID system, which is designed to resolve such name conflicts.

      – carlosvalderrama
      19 hours ago








    • 2





      I agree with you, however, I think, in the current situation, "will clarify" is unfortunately not correct:(

      – guest2
      18 hours ago






    • 3





      I don't see how this addresses to SEO issue

      – user2768
      17 hours ago






    • 10





      +1. Here is a recent call in Nature for Chinese researchers, who suffer from enormous name collisions, to sign up for ORCIDs, or for that matter, any other kind of identifier.

      – Stephan Kolassa
      17 hours ago








    10




    10





    I know many researchers who don't know/ don't care at all about ORCIDs.

    – guest2
    19 hours ago





    I know many researchers who don't know/ don't care at all about ORCIDs.

    – guest2
    19 hours ago




    2




    2





    @guest2 Possibly, but this would be another good reason to use it -- to promote the ORCID system, which is designed to resolve such name conflicts.

    – carlosvalderrama
    19 hours ago







    @guest2 Possibly, but this would be another good reason to use it -- to promote the ORCID system, which is designed to resolve such name conflicts.

    – carlosvalderrama
    19 hours ago






    2




    2





    I agree with you, however, I think, in the current situation, "will clarify" is unfortunately not correct:(

    – guest2
    18 hours ago





    I agree with you, however, I think, in the current situation, "will clarify" is unfortunately not correct:(

    – guest2
    18 hours ago




    3




    3





    I don't see how this addresses to SEO issue

    – user2768
    17 hours ago





    I don't see how this addresses to SEO issue

    – user2768
    17 hours ago




    10




    10





    +1. Here is a recent call in Nature for Chinese researchers, who suffer from enormous name collisions, to sign up for ORCIDs, or for that matter, any other kind of identifier.

    – Stephan Kolassa
    17 hours ago





    +1. Here is a recent call in Nature for Chinese researchers, who suffer from enormous name collisions, to sign up for ORCIDs, or for that matter, any other kind of identifier.

    – Stephan Kolassa
    17 hours ago











    7














    A former colleague has effectively swapped their middle and family names for publishing purposes (I believe their given middle name is also in some way inherited). The now surname is (for native English-speakers) simpler and more natural to spell and pronounce than the legal one, and they use the initial of the legal surname as a middle initial. The new name is simultaneously academically unique and intuitive for people from many cultures (working in English).



    Applying this to Dorothy Hodgkin as an example would give Dorothy H.Crowfoot.



    This is a slightly bigger change than the one you propose, and so far seems to work well.






    share|improve this answer




























      7














      A former colleague has effectively swapped their middle and family names for publishing purposes (I believe their given middle name is also in some way inherited). The now surname is (for native English-speakers) simpler and more natural to spell and pronounce than the legal one, and they use the initial of the legal surname as a middle initial. The new name is simultaneously academically unique and intuitive for people from many cultures (working in English).



      Applying this to Dorothy Hodgkin as an example would give Dorothy H.Crowfoot.



      This is a slightly bigger change than the one you propose, and so far seems to work well.






      share|improve this answer


























        7












        7








        7







        A former colleague has effectively swapped their middle and family names for publishing purposes (I believe their given middle name is also in some way inherited). The now surname is (for native English-speakers) simpler and more natural to spell and pronounce than the legal one, and they use the initial of the legal surname as a middle initial. The new name is simultaneously academically unique and intuitive for people from many cultures (working in English).



        Applying this to Dorothy Hodgkin as an example would give Dorothy H.Crowfoot.



        This is a slightly bigger change than the one you propose, and so far seems to work well.






        share|improve this answer













        A former colleague has effectively swapped their middle and family names for publishing purposes (I believe their given middle name is also in some way inherited). The now surname is (for native English-speakers) simpler and more natural to spell and pronounce than the legal one, and they use the initial of the legal surname as a middle initial. The new name is simultaneously academically unique and intuitive for people from many cultures (working in English).



        Applying this to Dorothy Hodgkin as an example would give Dorothy H.Crowfoot.



        This is a slightly bigger change than the one you propose, and so far seems to work well.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 15 hours ago









        Chris HChris H

        6,5401526




        6,5401526























            3














            These kinds of variants are very common with first and middle names, but I've never seen it with a last name. For example someone with legal name Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson might easily publish under:




            • Charles Dodgeson

            • Charles L. Dodgeson

            • Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson

            • C. Lutwidge Dodgeson

            • C. L. Dodgeson (I don't know anyone who does this, but it would probably be fine)

            • Chase Dodgeson (in the case where the person goes by Chase)

            • Lutwidge Dodgeson (in the case where the person goes by their middle name)

            • Chase L. Dodgeson

            • C. Larry Dodgeson

            • ...


            Maybe such a variant works for you. But normally, changes from First Middle Last are toward how one introduces oneself in conversation, not away.



            As others have said, regardless of how you publish, IT systems and degrees will always contain your legal name. Having these be different is normal and fine as in the "Chase Dodgeson" example. The main sources of friction I see would be




            1. When applying for jobs, it can confuse people or possibly someone will disbelieve these are your publications (although if they are listed on your website which contains both your legal name and pseudonym, hopefully it's okay).


            2. People may be confused when meeting you in person or hearing about you third-hand, then they go to look for your publications. Every such interaction now needs some additional explanation, or maybe just a good explanatory sentence prominently on your website.



            If you keep your last name unchanged, both of these are much easier or not existent at all. I think the difficulties are surmountable, but I'd definitely consider all your other options first. One is to legally change your middle name and use a variant with the middle initial or the full middle name.






            share|improve this answer
























            • T. S. Kelso from Celestrak commonly uses the option you claimed to know no examples.

              – Mefitico
              10 hours ago











            • Not to mention J.R.R. Tolkien... Though I don't know if he used that abbreviation in his academic writings.

              – V2Blast
              10 hours ago











            • In all academic settings, I would introduce myself and be known by my pseudonym. I think that should prevent the issues you outline in (2). I'd probably also include a small note on my website explaining the situation.

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago
















            3














            These kinds of variants are very common with first and middle names, but I've never seen it with a last name. For example someone with legal name Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson might easily publish under:




            • Charles Dodgeson

            • Charles L. Dodgeson

            • Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson

            • C. Lutwidge Dodgeson

            • C. L. Dodgeson (I don't know anyone who does this, but it would probably be fine)

            • Chase Dodgeson (in the case where the person goes by Chase)

            • Lutwidge Dodgeson (in the case where the person goes by their middle name)

            • Chase L. Dodgeson

            • C. Larry Dodgeson

            • ...


            Maybe such a variant works for you. But normally, changes from First Middle Last are toward how one introduces oneself in conversation, not away.



            As others have said, regardless of how you publish, IT systems and degrees will always contain your legal name. Having these be different is normal and fine as in the "Chase Dodgeson" example. The main sources of friction I see would be




            1. When applying for jobs, it can confuse people or possibly someone will disbelieve these are your publications (although if they are listed on your website which contains both your legal name and pseudonym, hopefully it's okay).


            2. People may be confused when meeting you in person or hearing about you third-hand, then they go to look for your publications. Every such interaction now needs some additional explanation, or maybe just a good explanatory sentence prominently on your website.



            If you keep your last name unchanged, both of these are much easier or not existent at all. I think the difficulties are surmountable, but I'd definitely consider all your other options first. One is to legally change your middle name and use a variant with the middle initial or the full middle name.






            share|improve this answer
























            • T. S. Kelso from Celestrak commonly uses the option you claimed to know no examples.

              – Mefitico
              10 hours ago











            • Not to mention J.R.R. Tolkien... Though I don't know if he used that abbreviation in his academic writings.

              – V2Blast
              10 hours ago











            • In all academic settings, I would introduce myself and be known by my pseudonym. I think that should prevent the issues you outline in (2). I'd probably also include a small note on my website explaining the situation.

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago














            3












            3








            3







            These kinds of variants are very common with first and middle names, but I've never seen it with a last name. For example someone with legal name Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson might easily publish under:




            • Charles Dodgeson

            • Charles L. Dodgeson

            • Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson

            • C. Lutwidge Dodgeson

            • C. L. Dodgeson (I don't know anyone who does this, but it would probably be fine)

            • Chase Dodgeson (in the case where the person goes by Chase)

            • Lutwidge Dodgeson (in the case where the person goes by their middle name)

            • Chase L. Dodgeson

            • C. Larry Dodgeson

            • ...


            Maybe such a variant works for you. But normally, changes from First Middle Last are toward how one introduces oneself in conversation, not away.



            As others have said, regardless of how you publish, IT systems and degrees will always contain your legal name. Having these be different is normal and fine as in the "Chase Dodgeson" example. The main sources of friction I see would be




            1. When applying for jobs, it can confuse people or possibly someone will disbelieve these are your publications (although if they are listed on your website which contains both your legal name and pseudonym, hopefully it's okay).


            2. People may be confused when meeting you in person or hearing about you third-hand, then they go to look for your publications. Every such interaction now needs some additional explanation, or maybe just a good explanatory sentence prominently on your website.



            If you keep your last name unchanged, both of these are much easier or not existent at all. I think the difficulties are surmountable, but I'd definitely consider all your other options first. One is to legally change your middle name and use a variant with the middle initial or the full middle name.






            share|improve this answer













            These kinds of variants are very common with first and middle names, but I've never seen it with a last name. For example someone with legal name Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson might easily publish under:




            • Charles Dodgeson

            • Charles L. Dodgeson

            • Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson

            • C. Lutwidge Dodgeson

            • C. L. Dodgeson (I don't know anyone who does this, but it would probably be fine)

            • Chase Dodgeson (in the case where the person goes by Chase)

            • Lutwidge Dodgeson (in the case where the person goes by their middle name)

            • Chase L. Dodgeson

            • C. Larry Dodgeson

            • ...


            Maybe such a variant works for you. But normally, changes from First Middle Last are toward how one introduces oneself in conversation, not away.



            As others have said, regardless of how you publish, IT systems and degrees will always contain your legal name. Having these be different is normal and fine as in the "Chase Dodgeson" example. The main sources of friction I see would be




            1. When applying for jobs, it can confuse people or possibly someone will disbelieve these are your publications (although if they are listed on your website which contains both your legal name and pseudonym, hopefully it's okay).


            2. People may be confused when meeting you in person or hearing about you third-hand, then they go to look for your publications. Every such interaction now needs some additional explanation, or maybe just a good explanatory sentence prominently on your website.



            If you keep your last name unchanged, both of these are much easier or not existent at all. I think the difficulties are surmountable, but I'd definitely consider all your other options first. One is to legally change your middle name and use a variant with the middle initial or the full middle name.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 14 hours ago









            usulusul

            31219




            31219













            • T. S. Kelso from Celestrak commonly uses the option you claimed to know no examples.

              – Mefitico
              10 hours ago











            • Not to mention J.R.R. Tolkien... Though I don't know if he used that abbreviation in his academic writings.

              – V2Blast
              10 hours ago











            • In all academic settings, I would introduce myself and be known by my pseudonym. I think that should prevent the issues you outline in (2). I'd probably also include a small note on my website explaining the situation.

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago



















            • T. S. Kelso from Celestrak commonly uses the option you claimed to know no examples.

              – Mefitico
              10 hours ago











            • Not to mention J.R.R. Tolkien... Though I don't know if he used that abbreviation in his academic writings.

              – V2Blast
              10 hours ago











            • In all academic settings, I would introduce myself and be known by my pseudonym. I think that should prevent the issues you outline in (2). I'd probably also include a small note on my website explaining the situation.

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago

















            T. S. Kelso from Celestrak commonly uses the option you claimed to know no examples.

            – Mefitico
            10 hours ago





            T. S. Kelso from Celestrak commonly uses the option you claimed to know no examples.

            – Mefitico
            10 hours ago













            Not to mention J.R.R. Tolkien... Though I don't know if he used that abbreviation in his academic writings.

            – V2Blast
            10 hours ago





            Not to mention J.R.R. Tolkien... Though I don't know if he used that abbreviation in his academic writings.

            – V2Blast
            10 hours ago













            In all academic settings, I would introduce myself and be known by my pseudonym. I think that should prevent the issues you outline in (2). I'd probably also include a small note on my website explaining the situation.

            – Jordan
            9 hours ago





            In all academic settings, I would introduce myself and be known by my pseudonym. I think that should prevent the issues you outline in (2). I'd probably also include a small note on my website explaining the situation.

            – Jordan
            9 hours ago











            2














            Devil's advocate here.



            I personally consider it a worthwhile idea, especially if you could add your middle name somewhere (as opposed to using a different last name). It would be a minor change in publications (just adding one letter), and it would still be easy to see how it refers to you.



            However, this could be an issue for any publications you published before, and as you mentioned, degrees and enrollment, that you probably cannot change easily without legal proof (depending on your country).



            Look at chinese researchers though, a lot of them have identical first name and last name, and they still end up publishing with these names. I see several reasons not to change the name: first, because they are identified usually by the academy they work in, which pretty much always goes with the author's name on a paper. Second, when you apply somewhere, or contact someone, if they are interested to look into you, they can make the effort to add one extra word and find you, for example by specifying your field of expertise, or again, your academy. For other people who happened to search for you on their own, the same answer is pretty much the same. If they look for you, they can make that extra effort (and if they work/look a lot into your field, their google history may be biased and will most likely already gets your result ahead).






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            Ara is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.





















            • The enrolment shouldn't be an issue - happy to do that under my legal name, but having degrees printed under a different name (to what I'm known as in academia) could be slightly annoying. I would be transparent about it, however

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago
















            2














            Devil's advocate here.



            I personally consider it a worthwhile idea, especially if you could add your middle name somewhere (as opposed to using a different last name). It would be a minor change in publications (just adding one letter), and it would still be easy to see how it refers to you.



            However, this could be an issue for any publications you published before, and as you mentioned, degrees and enrollment, that you probably cannot change easily without legal proof (depending on your country).



            Look at chinese researchers though, a lot of them have identical first name and last name, and they still end up publishing with these names. I see several reasons not to change the name: first, because they are identified usually by the academy they work in, which pretty much always goes with the author's name on a paper. Second, when you apply somewhere, or contact someone, if they are interested to look into you, they can make the effort to add one extra word and find you, for example by specifying your field of expertise, or again, your academy. For other people who happened to search for you on their own, the same answer is pretty much the same. If they look for you, they can make that extra effort (and if they work/look a lot into your field, their google history may be biased and will most likely already gets your result ahead).






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            Ara is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.





















            • The enrolment shouldn't be an issue - happy to do that under my legal name, but having degrees printed under a different name (to what I'm known as in academia) could be slightly annoying. I would be transparent about it, however

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago














            2












            2








            2







            Devil's advocate here.



            I personally consider it a worthwhile idea, especially if you could add your middle name somewhere (as opposed to using a different last name). It would be a minor change in publications (just adding one letter), and it would still be easy to see how it refers to you.



            However, this could be an issue for any publications you published before, and as you mentioned, degrees and enrollment, that you probably cannot change easily without legal proof (depending on your country).



            Look at chinese researchers though, a lot of them have identical first name and last name, and they still end up publishing with these names. I see several reasons not to change the name: first, because they are identified usually by the academy they work in, which pretty much always goes with the author's name on a paper. Second, when you apply somewhere, or contact someone, if they are interested to look into you, they can make the effort to add one extra word and find you, for example by specifying your field of expertise, or again, your academy. For other people who happened to search for you on their own, the same answer is pretty much the same. If they look for you, they can make that extra effort (and if they work/look a lot into your field, their google history may be biased and will most likely already gets your result ahead).






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            Ara is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.










            Devil's advocate here.



            I personally consider it a worthwhile idea, especially if you could add your middle name somewhere (as opposed to using a different last name). It would be a minor change in publications (just adding one letter), and it would still be easy to see how it refers to you.



            However, this could be an issue for any publications you published before, and as you mentioned, degrees and enrollment, that you probably cannot change easily without legal proof (depending on your country).



            Look at chinese researchers though, a lot of them have identical first name and last name, and they still end up publishing with these names. I see several reasons not to change the name: first, because they are identified usually by the academy they work in, which pretty much always goes with the author's name on a paper. Second, when you apply somewhere, or contact someone, if they are interested to look into you, they can make the effort to add one extra word and find you, for example by specifying your field of expertise, or again, your academy. For other people who happened to search for you on their own, the same answer is pretty much the same. If they look for you, they can make that extra effort (and if they work/look a lot into your field, their google history may be biased and will most likely already gets your result ahead).







            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            Ara is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer






            New contributor




            Ara is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            answered 17 hours ago









            AraAra

            214




            214




            New contributor




            Ara is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.





            New contributor





            Ara is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.






            Ara is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.













            • The enrolment shouldn't be an issue - happy to do that under my legal name, but having degrees printed under a different name (to what I'm known as in academia) could be slightly annoying. I would be transparent about it, however

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago



















            • The enrolment shouldn't be an issue - happy to do that under my legal name, but having degrees printed under a different name (to what I'm known as in academia) could be slightly annoying. I would be transparent about it, however

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago

















            The enrolment shouldn't be an issue - happy to do that under my legal name, but having degrees printed under a different name (to what I'm known as in academia) could be slightly annoying. I would be transparent about it, however

            – Jordan
            9 hours ago





            The enrolment shouldn't be an issue - happy to do that under my legal name, but having degrees printed under a different name (to what I'm known as in academia) could be slightly annoying. I would be transparent about it, however

            – Jordan
            9 hours ago











            2














            One option you may have is changing your name legally. This would avoid some of the complications you see. This is the time to do it, before you graduate and have a diploma under the current name.



            As far as I know, the only reason to avoid using another name legally is that you can, in some circumstances be accused of fraud, but those circumstances are not the ones here since you don't have a fraudulent purpose.



            I have something of a similar problem. I don't carry my birth name, for complicated reasons, but wish that I did. But once I graduated college it always seemed too late to change.



            However, if you simply use a pseudonym, it will be learned sooner or later. That might complicate things or not, so think about that. If people start referring to you under both names interchangeably, others will be confused. You will eventually want a passport if you don't already have one. For this you need to use your legal name, and so, when you travel to international conferences, it will normally be under that name (a minor obstacle, of course).



            And maybe some other famous athlete or academic will come along with your newly chosen name in any case. I share names with both famous athletes and academics, by the way. It has never been an issue, but in my case the fields of study are different. I've only ever gotten one email that should have gone to the other academic. A bit humorous, that.



            Finally, your difficulty in starting out a career will be determined by far more fundamental things, I predict. As such, there is probably little downside in just leaving it as it is, using your current name.






            share|improve this answer


























            • I'd like to avoid changing my legal name - that seems like quite a hassle, and I'm not sure if it's necessary. I suppose it would always be possible to do this later in life? I'm alright with others knowing about it - I plan to be quite transparent about it, e.g. including a small note on my CV / personal website.

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago











            • Yes, it requires the OK from a judge in many places, though I don't think that a lawyer is needed (but I'm not a lawyer). But it is best to keep a single persona for professional reasons.

              – Buffy
              9 hours ago
















            2














            One option you may have is changing your name legally. This would avoid some of the complications you see. This is the time to do it, before you graduate and have a diploma under the current name.



            As far as I know, the only reason to avoid using another name legally is that you can, in some circumstances be accused of fraud, but those circumstances are not the ones here since you don't have a fraudulent purpose.



            I have something of a similar problem. I don't carry my birth name, for complicated reasons, but wish that I did. But once I graduated college it always seemed too late to change.



            However, if you simply use a pseudonym, it will be learned sooner or later. That might complicate things or not, so think about that. If people start referring to you under both names interchangeably, others will be confused. You will eventually want a passport if you don't already have one. For this you need to use your legal name, and so, when you travel to international conferences, it will normally be under that name (a minor obstacle, of course).



            And maybe some other famous athlete or academic will come along with your newly chosen name in any case. I share names with both famous athletes and academics, by the way. It has never been an issue, but in my case the fields of study are different. I've only ever gotten one email that should have gone to the other academic. A bit humorous, that.



            Finally, your difficulty in starting out a career will be determined by far more fundamental things, I predict. As such, there is probably little downside in just leaving it as it is, using your current name.






            share|improve this answer


























            • I'd like to avoid changing my legal name - that seems like quite a hassle, and I'm not sure if it's necessary. I suppose it would always be possible to do this later in life? I'm alright with others knowing about it - I plan to be quite transparent about it, e.g. including a small note on my CV / personal website.

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago











            • Yes, it requires the OK from a judge in many places, though I don't think that a lawyer is needed (but I'm not a lawyer). But it is best to keep a single persona for professional reasons.

              – Buffy
              9 hours ago














            2












            2








            2







            One option you may have is changing your name legally. This would avoid some of the complications you see. This is the time to do it, before you graduate and have a diploma under the current name.



            As far as I know, the only reason to avoid using another name legally is that you can, in some circumstances be accused of fraud, but those circumstances are not the ones here since you don't have a fraudulent purpose.



            I have something of a similar problem. I don't carry my birth name, for complicated reasons, but wish that I did. But once I graduated college it always seemed too late to change.



            However, if you simply use a pseudonym, it will be learned sooner or later. That might complicate things or not, so think about that. If people start referring to you under both names interchangeably, others will be confused. You will eventually want a passport if you don't already have one. For this you need to use your legal name, and so, when you travel to international conferences, it will normally be under that name (a minor obstacle, of course).



            And maybe some other famous athlete or academic will come along with your newly chosen name in any case. I share names with both famous athletes and academics, by the way. It has never been an issue, but in my case the fields of study are different. I've only ever gotten one email that should have gone to the other academic. A bit humorous, that.



            Finally, your difficulty in starting out a career will be determined by far more fundamental things, I predict. As such, there is probably little downside in just leaving it as it is, using your current name.






            share|improve this answer















            One option you may have is changing your name legally. This would avoid some of the complications you see. This is the time to do it, before you graduate and have a diploma under the current name.



            As far as I know, the only reason to avoid using another name legally is that you can, in some circumstances be accused of fraud, but those circumstances are not the ones here since you don't have a fraudulent purpose.



            I have something of a similar problem. I don't carry my birth name, for complicated reasons, but wish that I did. But once I graduated college it always seemed too late to change.



            However, if you simply use a pseudonym, it will be learned sooner or later. That might complicate things or not, so think about that. If people start referring to you under both names interchangeably, others will be confused. You will eventually want a passport if you don't already have one. For this you need to use your legal name, and so, when you travel to international conferences, it will normally be under that name (a minor obstacle, of course).



            And maybe some other famous athlete or academic will come along with your newly chosen name in any case. I share names with both famous athletes and academics, by the way. It has never been an issue, but in my case the fields of study are different. I've only ever gotten one email that should have gone to the other academic. A bit humorous, that.



            Finally, your difficulty in starting out a career will be determined by far more fundamental things, I predict. As such, there is probably little downside in just leaving it as it is, using your current name.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 16 hours ago

























            answered 19 hours ago









            BuffyBuffy

            47.4k13152239




            47.4k13152239













            • I'd like to avoid changing my legal name - that seems like quite a hassle, and I'm not sure if it's necessary. I suppose it would always be possible to do this later in life? I'm alright with others knowing about it - I plan to be quite transparent about it, e.g. including a small note on my CV / personal website.

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago











            • Yes, it requires the OK from a judge in many places, though I don't think that a lawyer is needed (but I'm not a lawyer). But it is best to keep a single persona for professional reasons.

              – Buffy
              9 hours ago



















            • I'd like to avoid changing my legal name - that seems like quite a hassle, and I'm not sure if it's necessary. I suppose it would always be possible to do this later in life? I'm alright with others knowing about it - I plan to be quite transparent about it, e.g. including a small note on my CV / personal website.

              – Jordan
              9 hours ago











            • Yes, it requires the OK from a judge in many places, though I don't think that a lawyer is needed (but I'm not a lawyer). But it is best to keep a single persona for professional reasons.

              – Buffy
              9 hours ago

















            I'd like to avoid changing my legal name - that seems like quite a hassle, and I'm not sure if it's necessary. I suppose it would always be possible to do this later in life? I'm alright with others knowing about it - I plan to be quite transparent about it, e.g. including a small note on my CV / personal website.

            – Jordan
            9 hours ago





            I'd like to avoid changing my legal name - that seems like quite a hassle, and I'm not sure if it's necessary. I suppose it would always be possible to do this later in life? I'm alright with others knowing about it - I plan to be quite transparent about it, e.g. including a small note on my CV / personal website.

            – Jordan
            9 hours ago













            Yes, it requires the OK from a judge in many places, though I don't think that a lawyer is needed (but I'm not a lawyer). But it is best to keep a single persona for professional reasons.

            – Buffy
            9 hours ago





            Yes, it requires the OK from a judge in many places, though I don't think that a lawyer is needed (but I'm not a lawyer). But it is best to keep a single persona for professional reasons.

            – Buffy
            9 hours ago










            Jordan is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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