Citing a Colleague's Paper After a Name Change
Have you ever been in a situation where you're working on a project with a colleague, and just as things are going smoothly, they reveal that they've changed their name or gender? It's a delicate situation, especially when it comes to citing their work in a professional setting like an academic conference paper.
Let's say you're part of a team working on a conference paper, and one of your colleagues, George Smith, has written a paper that you'd like to discuss in your own work. After the paper is published, George comes to you and says that they'd like you to use their new name, Mary Smith, and their preferred gender pronouns from now on.
This might seem like a simple request, but it's actually a great opportunity to practice good academic citizenship and respect for your colleagues' identities. Here's how you can handle the situation:
Respect Their Identity
The first thing to keep in mind is that using your colleague's new name and preferred gender pronouns is a matter of respect and inclusivity. It's not just about citing their paper; it's about acknowledging their identity and showing that you value their contributions to the academic community.
When citing their paper, you can simply replace their old name with their new one. For example, if the paper is titled "The Impact of Climate Change on Local Ecosystems" and was authored by George Smith, you could cite it as "Smith, M. (2022). The Impact of Climate Change on Local Ecosystems."
Be Mindful of Style Guides
Another thing to consider is the style guide that you're using for your paper. Some style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, have specific guidelines for handling name changes. If you're unsure, it's always a good idea to check the style guide or consult with a librarian or writing coach.
In general, though, it's a good idea to err on the side of caution and use the author's new name and preferred gender pronouns consistently throughout your paper.
By taking the time to respect your colleague's identity and follow the correct citation style, you can show that you value their contributions and are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful academic community.