De Gruyter name change policy: Case study for learned publishing

摘要

Key points A name change policy ensures that any academic author wishing to change their name can do so 'silently' and without it being announced. This case study shares how De Gruyter designed and implemented a policy with a view to sharing its learning and experience with the wider publishing community. While anyone can take advantage of a name change policy, they are particularly important for transitioning scholars who want to change their name without being publicly 'outed' by the traditional revisions process. Academic publishers are increasingly seeing the importance of implementing name change policies. De Gruyter, alongside many others in the United States and Europe, are developing policies following COPE guidelines. The impetus for De Gruyter's name change policy came from a group of proactive employees who formed a committee to drive the idea forward. Over 18 months, the group researched best practice and engaged all parts of the business to build understanding, cooperation and support for the initiative. Introduced on 6th October 2022, De Gruyter's policy provides any academic author wishing to change their name with a 'blind update' of their name across all of their De Gruyter-published material. The case study goes on to outline the personal learning points of the project leader, Dr. Christene Smith.