Hello,
I am looking at the possibility of potentially transitioning.
But thats another story, im still trying to discover who i am.

Those of you whom have advanced degrees and have published, did you leave everything in your birth name or change it to you new name?

Ive previously published and am currently in the middle of more, just dont know what i would do if i were to transition.

I keep wondering about this one too, so I'm curious what others have done. Right now, publications aren't super important to my career, but I would like to keep my record.

Thing is, even if we change names on online publications where it's technically possible (not sure publishers would actually be willing to do that), the publications will still be indexed under the old name in the databases. So if it's a matter of going stealth, you'll probably "lose" the publications and have to start over.

If you wanted to link publications under your new and old name to your person you could use an ORCID id -- but that would ultimately mean outing yourself.

Not that I'm published in an academic capacity but I've got a variety stuff published in my old name. They were one offs now out of general circulation so they have to stay in my old name. Not much I can do about that as much as I would wish otherwise. New stuff is in my new name.

Writers use pen names some times, though I don't think that holds true for academic writing.

I have an advanced degree, and made sure all my records were changed before I even started undergraduate. That situation was a little different because I wasn't still wrestling with who I was, and I knew I'd be going for an advanced degree.

If you transition, then at some point you will have to change your records if you want to take your letters (PhD, Masters etc) with you. Its easier to do it before you start, because there are that many less people you have to explain things too, but only if you are sure.

Sam1234

This is more pertaining to academic journals.
I am hopeing that the previous papers can be edited in the future, I've heard it's possible. But not sure.
I have some additional papers soon to be published, I might just withhold them until I can begin my transition.

Also I definitely am taking my letters with me. Lol
I've worked way too hard not to.

I have not transitioned at this time, so I have wondered about this as well. It would depend on if you are trying to remain in stealth to some extent. It should be relatively easy to change past articles since everything is electronic although there is likely to be some legacy of your past name in saved files.

If I were to transition, the simplest route for me is keep the last name and change the first/middle names but keep initials are the same. Then use only initials and not full name when citing the work. I have only published only a handful to studies and am not a researcher, so it is not that important for me if I could not change the name on all. I can see where a name change is critically important for research scientists.

Using initials is a good idea.

sam1234

That's actually an awesome idea.
I will do that from now on.

I kept my first name initial to trace to my track record. I have just had my first paper in J of Antibiotics in my real name, felt awesome!

Cindy, congratulations! I bet that feels great.

Yet another reason why I'm glad my days as an academic are long over... one less thing to worry about.

I have quite the same question as I'm about to record some music and it'll obviously be under my birth name...
Such has been the program of each concert I made...

In most fields, I would be shocked if the author names for a paper could be changed later. For archival and historical purposes, even gross errors in the content of papers is generally fixed via a follow-up erratum. The common case of women changing name when marrying does often mean people just have to learn that Jane Doe is the same person as Jane Deer; in small fields this is not a problem.

I do believe it is possible to have degrees changed to a new legal name, at least at some institutions. If possible, then this at least means you get to have any uncomfortable discussions with your old institution, rather than future employers who can then verify your credentials using your updated name. Most places should have an office of records/transcripts that can help you figure out the process and what is possible.

Ah I'm in a rather large field. Automotive/mechanical engineering.
I've published in some of the larger journals for my field.
So I'm probably just SOL for what's already out there and maybe I can try to bury some of it. But who knows.

Look at it this way: now you can cite your own work all you want, and not feel embarrassed.

Quote from: Tysilio on February 14, 2015, 07:22:58 PM
Look at it this way: now you can cite your own work all you want, and not feel embarrassed.

PERFECT!

For myself, I plan to have any documents that I intend to display (Diplomas etc) having my initials since I'm planning on staying close to my original name, just a masculine form. As for publications... I have none, so moot point from me!

Congrats to Cindy and frankie88 for your accomplishments!

Here! Here!

Sam1234

Quote from: Tysilio on February 14, 2015, 07:22:58 PM
Look at it this way: now you can cite your own work all you want, and not feel embarrassed.

just the perfect point of view !

I'm afraid that I changed my name before I finished undergrad, so all of my publications are under the "new" name.

Wish I could add my diss to the list, but I'm still working on that. Or procrastinating on it, these days.

Quote from: ArchWish I could add my diss to the list, but I'm still working on that. Or procrastinating on it, these days.

Q: How many graduate students does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Only one, but it takes nine years.