Can an Author Include Multiple Affiliations in an SCI Paper Submission?

When submitting a paper to an SCI-indexed journal, authors sometimes have ties to more than one institution—such as a primary workplace and a research collaboration partner. This raises a common question: Can a single author list multiple affiliations? The answer is generally yes, but with certain considerations and formatting rules.

When Multiple Affiliations Are Appropriate

Listing more than one affiliation is acceptable and often encouraged when:

• You hold joint appointments at different institutions.

• You are conducting research funded or supported by more than one organization.

• You have ongoing collaborations where each institution contributed significantly to the work.

This practice not only ensures proper acknowledgment of institutional support but also helps improve the visibility and impact metrics for all institutions involved.

How to Format Multiple Affiliations

Although style requirements vary by journal, the standard approach in SCI publications includes:

1. Listing All Institutions Clearly
   Each affiliation is numbered or marked with a symbol (e.g., ¹, ²) corresponding to the author’s name.

2. Full Institutional Details
   Include department, institution name, city, and country for each affiliation.

3. Order of Affiliations
   Usually, the primary affiliation comes first, followed by secondary affiliations. The sequence can reflect the level of contribution or the author's current main position.

Example format:
John Smith¹²
¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, University A, City, Country
² Research Institute B, City, Country

Points to Keep in Mind

• Consistency Matters: The affiliations listed in the manuscript should match those entered in the journal’s submission system.

• Funding Acknowledgments: If funding is tied to a specific institution, make sure that institution is properly credited.

• Journal Guidelines Rule: Always check the “Instructions for Authors” section, as some journals have strict formatting rules for multiple affiliations.

• Ethical Transparency: Do not add affiliations for institutions unrelated to the research simply for prestige.

Why Multiple Affiliations Can Be Beneficial

Including more than one affiliation can:

• Reflect the collaborative nature of research.

• Strengthen institutional recognition.

• Increase networking opportunities and citation visibility.

• Accurately represent the researcher’s professional profile.

Conclusion

Yes, SCI submissions generally allow a single author to list multiple affiliations, provided they are relevant and accurately reflect the author’s institutional ties. Proper formatting and adherence to journal-specific guidelines ensure that your paper is professionally presented and ethically sound.

For more detailed guidance on SCI submission practices and access to reputable academic publishing resources, visit academic.net.