The ORCID–WACA project has reached another important milestone as it prepares to welcome its 15 dedicated Ambassadors. This step brings us closer to spreading the benefits of ORCID throughout West and Central Africa, helping to build stronger connections and collaboration in the region.
Thanks to the generous support from the ORCID Global Participation Fund, the ORCID–WACA initiative is dedicated to boosting the integration and use of ORCID across the region’s vibrant research ecosystem. The project aligns with WACREN’s broader vision of developing a trusted digital public infrastructure, aimed at making African scholarly works more discoverable, properly attributed, and lasting in visibility.
After a thorough selection process, 15 Ambassadors have been chosen to serve as champions for ORCID adoption among researchers, institutions and communities. They will play a vital role in spreading the word about ORCID and other Persistent Identifiers (PIDs), helping improve the visibility and discoverability of African research while supporting institutions in strengthening researcher identification practices. Through outreach activities, workshops, and interactions with researchers, librarians, publishers, journal editors, and research administrators, these Ambassadors will foster greater awareness and inspire the adoption of best practices throughout the region.
They will also help build the vibrant ORCID–WACA Community of Practice, opening up new opportunities for collaboration, peer learning, and sharing knowledge among everyone dedicated to enhancing Africa’s research infrastructure.
The forthcoming Ambassadors’ Orientation will officially introduce participants to the initiative’s objectives and equip them with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to fulfil their roles effectively. The session will cover their responsibilities and expected outcomes, mentorship opportunities, community engagement approaches, and the tools available to help them drive meaningful impact within their communities.
WACREN considers a strong PID infrastructure crucial for ensuring that African research is properly credited, easily discoverable worldwide, and accurately integrated into the global scholarly community. As the ORCID–WACA Ambassadors embark on this path, we are eager to collaborate with them to create a more visible, connected, and equitable research environment for West and Central Africa.