Frequently Asked Questions
Smithsonian Profiles is an expert-locator system and a single place where Smithsonian research outputs, skills, and expertise are aggregated.
Profiles adds individual pages for Smithsonian scholars who meet two basic criteria: they are permanent employees of the Institution (federal or trust) and they have contributed at least one scholarly work to the Smithsonian Research Online staff publications database. At this time, academic appointees such as fellows and research associates are generally not listed in Profiles.
A staff member's Profile can display name, position title, Smithsonian museum, office, or program, and scholarship metrics. Staff may update their profiles, adding things such as biographies, related websites, research topics or areas of expertise, educational background, certifications, primary research locations, Smithsonian project participation, and additional specialties.
Data is collected regularly and reviewed by system staff. Updates and changes may not be reflected for up to 30 days.
In order to reflect current research, the import of staff publications may be limited to those published in the recent past. Smithsonian scholars who wish to complete their publications lists can contribute to Smithsonian Research Online (the data source) by clicking here. This data source is synchronized with Profiles regularly.
Please contact us to request that a page be created for you and linked to your login/account.
At this time profiles are generally created for permanent Smithsonian employees (not short-term appointees) who have research outputs listed in Smithsonian Research Online.
Yes. Contact us to request that your profile be added or removed.
At this time profiles are generally created for permanent Smithsonian employees and not for short-term appointees.
Staff email addresses are not displayed for public view. However, after a staff member logs into Profiles once, a contact link appears on his/her page (just below their photo) which redirects a message to their Smithsonian email box. The public is not able to see the staff person's email address.
Media outlets and journalists must visit the Smithsonian Newsdesk for media contacts or call the Smithsonian Office of Public Affairs at (202) 633-2400.
