Corresponding author versus senior author

Are you confused about the roles of corresponding and senior authors? The difference between a corresponding author and a senior author is subtle yet crucial in understanding authorship types and hierarchies within academic publishing. The corresponding author is typically responsible for managing the manuscript submission process, while the senior author often holds an overarching responsibility for the entire research project. You might think that the author order or type may indicate just a division of labor. However, the value of these roles differ substantially and may significantly impact your career advancement and future grant opportunities.

Why Are These Author Roles Important in Academic Papers?

The roles of corresponding and senior authors are critical in the context of academic papers because they represent distinct contributions that have implications for recognition, authorship credit, career advancement, and future grant applications.

The senior author is typically responsible for overseeing the research process, guiding the research team, and ensuring that the scientific rigor of the work is upheld.

In contrast, the corresponding author ensures that the paper is in compliance with the journal’s submission process and remains the public representative of the work, addressing editorial queries and requests for additional information.

Together, these roles shape the dynamics of authorship order, recognition, and accountability.

Both roles are essential; however, one is more valuable for your career.

Find below a more comprehensive analysis to understand the two distinct roles to avoid authorship disputes and career mistakes when accepting or losing one of these roles.

young scientist who is corresponding author — ©sven hendrix/midjourney

What is a Corresponding Author?

A corresponding author is a specific type of authorship role that comes with the main administrative and communicative duties related to a published work – thus, the handling of the manuscript. This role entails being the main point of contact between the journal, other researchers, and the public.

The corresponding author is often the person who is most involved with the logistics of publishing the manuscript and acts as the official representative on behalf of all co-authors.

Importantly, the person in this role may or may not be the individual with the most significant intellectual contributions to the study.

What is the role of the corresponding author?

The role of the corresponding author is to handle the submission process, communicate with the journal editor, and manage all related correspondence. This position involves being accountable for ensuring that the paper follows all technical, intellectual property, and ethical standards laid out by the journal policies.

Notably, the corresponding author is typically responsible for paying the submission fee and publication charges, usually paid by research grants. In some cases, we are talking about thousands of dollars/euros.

The corresponding author signs off on the final version of the paper, confirming that all listed authors approve the content and that any revisions are accurately addressed. Their administrative responsibilities are critical to the integrity of the work, ensuring that nothing is missed during the sometimes lengthy and complex peer review process.

young scientist who wants to be corresponding author — ©sven hendrix/midjourney

Why Is the Corresponding Author Important?

The corresponding author is not only responsible for the administrative processes of submitting the paper but also plays an essential role in maintaining the integrity of the academic publishing process. As the main contact for communication, they ensure the submitted version of the academic paper is coherent, ethically compliant, and representative of the collective effort.

Furthermore, being the corresponding author also implies a certain level of visibility within the academic community, as they are directly contacted for scientific questions (e.g., protocols, factors used, potential collaborations) or any editorial team queries, thereby becoming the face of the work.

How Does the Corresponding Author Serve as the Primary Contact?

The corresponding author serves as the primary contact for all matters concerning the published paper, including handling requests for additional information or fielding critiques of the work. This involves liaising with editorial teams, other researchers, and the public.

Their public responsibility extends beyond the submission of the manuscript to maintaining the integrity of the work post-publication, thereby being responsible for corrections, disputes, or ethical guidelines raised about the research findings.

Additionally, the corresponding author is also held accountable if there are allegations of questionable research practices (QRPs) or fraud, as they represent the paper and are responsible for addressing any issues regarding the integrity of the manuscript.

administrative duties of a corresponding author — ©sven hendrix/midjourney

What Are the Administrative Responsibilities of the Corresponding Author?

The administrative responsibilities of a corresponding author include manuscript submission, ensuring that all the listed authors have approved the final manuscript, as well as dealing with the journal editor regarding revisions or technical issues.

They must ensure that the research paper meets all requirements of the publication processes, including author contribution statements, ethics committee approval and compliance with the guidelines on authorship. This important role is crucial for the submission process, acting on behalf of all group members to finalize the paper’s acceptance.

Does the Corresponding Author Handle Submission and Revisions?

Yes, the corresponding author handles both the submission of the manuscript and the peer review process, ensuring that reviewers’ comments are addressed and that the submitted work meets the journal’s standards.

This also implies coordinating input from all co-authors and making sure that everyone is aligned with the suggested changes, thereby taking primary responsibility for the paper’s quality and accuracy.

What is a Senior Author?

A senior author generally provides intellectual leadership and strategic guidance from the beginning to the end of the project – thus, long before the publication is ready for submission.

This author usually appears last in the sequence of authors. It is typically a principal investigator or group leader who conceptualized the study. Therefore, the terms “senior author” and “last author” are frequently used synonymously – but not always (see below).

corresponding author versus senior author — ©sven hendrix/midjourney

Notably, sometimes postdocs become last authors. For them, an occasional last authorship is critical to show scientific independence. Last author (= senior author) publications demonstrate that postdocs develop and handle their own projects – independent of their supervisors – even if they are part of the list of authors or equally contributing last-before-last author.

The senior author may not have direct involvement in every aspect of data collection or the manuscript writing process but contributes significantly by overseeing the project, ensuring that the research team adheres to high standards, and guiding the overall design of the work.

What is the Role of the Senior Author?

The role of the senior author revolves around providing overarching supervision of the project, contributing to the research design, and ensuring the integrity of any part of the work.

They are responsible for mentoring junior researchers, like PhD students and postdocs, and making substantial contributions to both the intellectual development and the execution of the project.

Typically, the senior author is the person responsible for clarifying decides who is on the author’s list and in which order based on the contributions to the study. They may choose to include authors who may not have delivered a substantial contribution.

scientist as senior author — ©sven hendrix/midjourney

These persons may be considered fake authors but are included for pragmatic or political reasons because they might have provided infrastructure, protocols, research tools, or patient samples.

Finally, the senior author often takes charge of writing the final version of the manuscript or reviewing it to ensure that it aligns with the intended research vision.

Why Is the Senior Author Important?

The senior author is important because they provide overall responsibility for the project, guiding the research from conceptualization to publication. Their role as a mentor to junior researchers and as the key decision-maker ensures the research findings are scientifically sound.

This role also represents the experience and academic prestige associated with the work, influencing journal articles’ credibility and how the research is perceived by peers and grant reviewers.

How Does the Senior Author Contribute to the Research?

The senior author contributes primarily by offering intellectual direction, ensuring that the design of the work is robust, and making critical decisions during the research and writing phases.

They might not be involved in the actual data collection but will typically have a say in the interpretation of data and the preparation of the final article. Their leadership shapes the research’s focus, ensuring coherence and scientific depth, which is essential for a professional publication process.

scientist as a last author — ©sven hendrix/midjourney

Is There a Difference Between the Senior Author and the Last Author?

The terms “senior author” and “last author” are often used interchangeably. In life sciences, the last author is usually considered the senior author.

However, this does not always seem to be the case. Not always. While the senior author often occupies the last author position, reflecting their authority and senior researcher status, there are exceptions.

There are also author lists that are alphabetically ordered. This is more common in fields like mathematics, economics, and theoretical computer science, where the convention is to list authors alphabetically regardless of the order of contribution. In such cases, each author is typically assumed to have contributed equally, and there is no explicit “first” or “senior” author.

These conventions can vary significantly by research discipline, journal, and even by the specific research group, so it is always helpful to check the author’s contribution statement if it is provided in a publication.

young scientist who wants to be last author — ©sven hendrix/midjourney

The Key Differences Between Corresponding and Senior Authors

The key differences between the corresponding author and the senior author lie primarily in their roles and responsibilities. The senior author is typically the intellectual leader of the study, guiding the conceptual and strategic aspects. In contrast, the corresponding author is focused on managing the submission process, serving as the main point of contact for the journal, and ensuring compliance with all procedural requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities of Corresponding and Senior Author Compared

When comparing the duties of the corresponding author and senior author, the senior author oversees the research process, including the design of the work, ensuring scientific rigor, and making sure the individual contributions align with the overall research goals.

In contrast, the corresponding author is responsible for all administrative tasks, such as handling editorial queries, submission, and post-publication responsibilities.

In other words, the senior author is accountable for the intellectual content and scientific direction of the work, whereas the corresponding author takes on the primary responsibility for communicating with the journal.

scientists discussing the authorship order — ©sven hendrix/midjourney

Is the Senior Always the Corresponding Author?

It is common for one person to be both the corresponding author and the senior author, especially in smaller research projects or when the principal investigator takes an active role throughout the entire research lifecycle. In such cases, the individual manages both the intellectual contributions and the administrative tasks related to the manuscript submission.

However, the senior author is not always the corresponding author, as the corresponding author role may be taken by a co-author who was more involved in the execution of the study and can answer questions about protocols, factors, and models used.

What is Better? Senior Author or Corresponding Author?

In my humble opinion, the senior author has substantially more value than the corresponding author regarding academic recognition, career advancement, and future funding opportunities.

Who Gets the Credit? Recognition in Academia

Recognition in academia is deeply tied to authorship order and the perceived significance of different author roles. The senior author often receives credit as the project leader, reflecting their role in conceptualizing and driving the research, while the corresponding author is only recognized for ensuring the publication and submission process.

Credit distribution can be a matter of authorship disputes, particularly when the roles are not clearly defined or when there is disagreement about each author’s significant contribution to the research. See below for a more detailed analysis of the effects on academic recognition, career advancement, and future grant opportunities.

corresponding author versus last author — ©sven hendrix/midjourney

Which Author Role is More Prestigious?

Generally, the senior author role is considered more prestigious, as it often indicates leadership and intellectual guidance of the study.

This role is particularly important when it comes to career advancement within academia, as it demonstrates scientific independence and the ability to lead a research group. It often influences your academic reputation as an expert and contributes to your long-term academic reputation.

The corresponding author role, while also important, tends to be viewed as more logistical and administrative. However, it still confers visibility and allows one to build a strong network, as they are directly involved with other researchers, journals, and peer reviewers.

Understanding the Hierarchy in Research Authorship

In the authorship list, an established hierarchy serves as a signal of contribution and seniority. The first author usually made the most substantial hands-on contributions, while the senior author signifies the intellectual leader.

The corresponding author may occupy any position in the list, depending on their involvement in the research, but they have a unique role by acting as the representative for the study.

When authors contributed equally, it means that two or more authors have made similar levels of contribution to the research project. This is often indicated by an asterisk (*), a footnote or a statement in the author list. In such cases, both may be listed as first authors or joint first. The same is true for senior authors: both may be listed as last authors or joint last.

Understanding this hierarchy helps understand who held primary responsibility for different aspects of the research, the specific responsibility of the authors, and how credit is distributed.

How Each Role Affects Your Academic Reputation

The senior author role strengthens your profile as a thought leader, making you an expert in their field, which directly impacts how you are perceived by colleagues, grant reviewers, and hiring committees.

The corresponding author role is typically seen as a rather administrative function. Handling the responsibilities of the corresponding author during publication is not considered as valuable as the responsibilities of the senior author.

Which Authorship Role is More Important For Your Career?

Being a Corresponding Author May Boost Your Networking

Acting as the corresponding author offers a unique networking opportunity. Since the corresponding author is responsible for all communication, they get exposure to peer reviewers and the wider research community.

This role makes the author a recognizable name in specific research areas, facilitating the development of collaborations and enhancing their profile as an expert. This network-building aspect might be a benefit of the corresponding author role, especially for those early in their careers.

Being a Senior Author Strengthens Your Leadership Profile

Being a senior author strengthens your leadership profile by demonstrating an ability to conceptualize a project, guide PhD students and junior researchers, and take ultimate responsibility for the integrity of the work.

Holding the senior author title signals the ability to lead a research team, propose innovative research ideas, and secure grant funding, which may open doors for more prestigious academic roles, such as principal investigator positions.

For senior researchers, this role becomes a testament to their influence and capacity to lead significant research initiatives, thereby enhancing their standing within their field.

In contrast, the corresponding author has only limited value for career growth, maybe for early-career researchers looking to establish themselves in the academic publishing ecosystem.

Which Authorship Role is More Important For Getting Funding?

Why Grant Reviewers And Funding Bodies Care About Author Roles

Grant reviewers pay close attention to author roles because these roles indicate a researcher’s experience, reliability, and level of involvement in the research.

Grant reviewers always assess authorship roles when evaluating an applicant’s research experience. No surprise, the first and the last position on a paper count much more than a co-authorship position.

The first author usually made the most substantial hands-on contributions, such as doing most of the experiments and writing the final draft of the paper, while the senior author is the intellectual leader of the study.

This leadership aspect of the senior author aligns well with the expectations of funding bodies looking to invest in researchers who can manage complex projects.

I have heard the idea that the second author has more weight than other co-authors. However, in my experience, this view is not shared by reviewing committees.

Importantly, in my very personal experience, corresponding authors are typically completely ignored by grant reviewers.

Should you Aim to be Corresponding Author or Senior Author?

The answer is crystal clear: for your academic recognition, career advancement, and future funding opportunities, it is much better to aim for the senior author position.

Maximizing Your Chances with the Right Author Position

Negotiating the best author position is a strategic decision that can substantially impact your academic and career trajectory. For researchers looking to demonstrate leadership, striving for the senior author position is crucial as it communicates the capacity for independent thought and project management.

Thus, postdocs in particular must convince their supervisors to get some senior author papers to demonstrate scientific independence and qualify for their next career step.

Meanwhile, the corresponding author role is still better than just being a co-author – but to be absolutely clear – it does not have the same value as the last position in the author’s list.

What Early Career Researchers Need to Know

For early career researchers, striving to be the senior author is unrealistic at early career stages. In contrast, it is crucial to get first authorship papers, ideally with a high impact factor.

Impact factors are heavily criticized as markers of scientific excellence. However, they are still broadly used to quantify the research performance of institutions and to compare applicants for jobs and grants.

How to negotiate the senior author position?

Since senior author papers are essential to qualify for more prestigious academic roles, such as principal investigator positions, negotiating the senior author position has the same value as negotiating a higher salary.

In another article, I have reviewed the best books on salary negotiation, which also prepare you for negotiating a senior author position.

Negotiating Senior Authorship: Best Practices

To negotiate a senior author position, you must prepare yourself well. Letting your supervisor know that you aspire to an academic career is essential. To start, you might simply ask for advice on pursuing an academic career and becoming a professor.

Negotiating authorship requires a clear understanding of each team member’s individual contributions and an upfront discussion regarding the authors order and responsibilities of the authors. Thus, you might ask your supervisor what it takes to become the senior author of your next project.

I had very good experiences with postdocs who became leaders of a selected project, supervised graduate students, and became last author, while I took the last-before-last (= second to last) position with an asterisk (*) for “equally contributing senior author.”

Best practices include documenting contributions throughout the project, being transparent about expectations, and using established guidelines, such as those from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). The ICMJE has provided guidelines to help researchers decide whether a contributor qualifies as an author or should be included in a manuscript’s acknowledgments section.

Strategies for Aspiring Senior Authors

Aspiring to be a senior author requires a proactive approach to developing the conceptual design of research and actively guiding the research process and interpretation of data, as well as mentoring junior team members and/or technicians.

Navigating Author Roles in Collaborative Research

Navigating author roles in collaborative research can be challenging, especially in large multi-author group projects. It’s important to establish clear authorship criteria and discuss order of authors early on in the collaborative effort to avoid misunderstandings.

Researchers should agree on each individual’s substantial contributions to determine their position in the author list. Transparency and mutual agreement about each person’s role will help prevent conflicts and ensure that each author receives appropriate recognition for their intellectual contributions.

How to Avoid Conflicts in Author Role Assignment

To avoid conflicts in assigning author roles, it is vital to have a structured approach from the beginning of the research project. Clearly defining each researcher’s substantial intellectual contributions and documenting this throughout the project can prevent misunderstandings about the authorship order.

Using a contribution matrix before the project starts helps objectively assign roles, such as senior author, corresponding author, or lead author, based on specific responsibilities and input.

These discussions are especially critical in interdisciplinary teams or when involving PhD students and junior researchers who may not fully understand the implications of different author positions.

Setting clear expectations helps avoid confusion and ensures that each member of the research team knows their role and how their efforts will be credited.

Acknowledgments

I have used AI systems, including Grammarly, Google Gemini, and ChatGPT, to enhance the English and comprehensiveness of this article.

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Corresponding author versus senior author – what is the difference?