How to Format Co-first Authors in IEEE and Springer Papers
In modern collaborative research, it is increasingly common for two or more researchers to share the heavy lifting of a project. When this happens, designating a single "first author" fails to accurately reflect the distribution of labor. To solve this, the academic publishing industry utilizes the "co-first author" or "equal contribution" designation.
Publishers like IEEE and Springer fully recognize and support co-first authorship. However, their submission templates do not have a dedicated "Co-First Author" text box. You must manually format the manuscript to indicate this status to the peer-review committee and the final typesetting team.
Here is the standard method for formatting joint first authors in your manuscripts.
The Universal Asterisk and Footnote Method
Regardless of whether you are submitting to an IEEE transactions journal, a Springer book chapter, or a standard conference proceeding, the mechanical formatting process relies on the title page's footnote system.
You cannot change the linear order of names—someone's name must physically appear first on the page. To equalize the status, you use superscripts.
- The Superscript Marker: Place an identical symbol (usually an asterisk, a dagger, or a specific superscript lowercase letter) immediately following the last names of the contributing authors in the main author block under the title.
- The Corresponding Footnote: At the bottom of the first page (typically in the left-hand column for IEEE, or the main footer for Springer), insert a footnote keyed to that exact symbol.
- The Required Text: The footnote must contain a clear, explicit statement. The industry standard phrasing is: "These authors contributed equally to this work." or "Joint first authors."
IEEE templates are famously rigid, particularly the standard two-column formatting. When modifying the author block for an IEEE submission, precision is key.
- Placement in Word: If you are using the Microsoft Word template, manually add the asterisk after the authors' names and type the equal contribution statement into the existing author affiliation footnote section at the bottom of the first column.
- Placement in LaTeX: If you are using a local LaTeX editor or cloud platform with the official IEEE document class, you can utilize the standard footnote commands to generate the text. Ensure the asterisk is placed inside the author block using a text superscript command.
- IEEE Metadata Systems: When you upload the final PDF to the submission portal, the backend metadata forms will still force you to list authors in a linear sequence (Author A, Author B). Do not worry about this system limitation. The PDF manuscript is the final legal document of record; as long as the footnote is on the PDF, the co-first status is officially recognized.
Springer utilizes a slightly different aesthetic for its templates, often using single-column formats for proceedings.
- The Springer Footnote: Springer actively encourages authors to specify contribution roles. Similar to IEEE, you append a symbol to the names. Springer templates often prefer superscript numbers for university affiliations and symbols for contributions.
- ORCID Integration: Springer heavily integrates ORCID identifiers. Ensure both co-first authors have their ORCID icons correctly linked in the author block alongside the equal contribution asterisk.
- Corresponding Author Distinction: Do not confuse "Co-First Author" with "Corresponding Author." The Corresponding Author (the person who communicates with the publisher and handles revisions) is indicated by an envelope icon in Springer templates. A co-first author can be the corresponding author, but they are separate administrative roles.
Formatting the manuscript correctly is only the first step. You must also ensure the program chairs and reviewers are aware of the arrangement to avoid administrative confusion.
- The Cover Letter: Always state the equal contribution arrangement explicitly in your submission cover letter to the editor.
- Consistency: Ensure the names and the footnote remain completely consistent throughout every stage of the revision process, from the initial draft to the final Camera-Ready version.