I can't quite believe that it has been almost two months of marriage with my best friend.
I find myself both excited for our future and grieving the wedding. It's hard to explain.
But it turns out there's a lot of "aftermath admin" left to do, especially if you decided to change your name.
I am currently stuck in limbo.
I am impatient to use my new name (updating it where I can) and want all my publications and presentations and EVERYTHING to be under Barnard. But I cannot legally change my name, bank details, passport etc until I am back from AAIC 2022 in San Diego (everything is booked and arranged in my maiden name).
But I have been asked about my name many times over the past 18-months since our engagement. From family members assuming I will take my husband's name without thought, to fellow women in STEM questioning my feminism and wondering why I wouldn't keep my maiden name atleast for my research.
So my one message to anyone who finds themselves in a position where they want to change their name - this is a personal choice.
You do not need to justify or reason. And being in academia does not need to stop you from doing things that make you happy.
I have been worrying a lot about changing my name and losing a part of the reputation I have built. But my reasons to change my name far outweigh these worries.
During my search for the best way to proceed, I found out about ORCHID iD - an unique digital identifier that distinguishes you from every other researcher. AND IT'S FREE!
Finding out about ORCiD has been the green light that has helped me to decide to change my name legally and use it for work. As soon as my plane lands back on London tarmac.
Always, @notbrainscience
Comments