I have sent my manuscript to a professor of math about one month ago. This manuscript was written according to his encouragement for a joint research work. He told me that send him what I have done from my side, and then he will add additional materials from his own side. I want to send a tracking email about the status of that. Should I do that or I must wait for his reply?
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Do you really mean "tracking email"? Like these?: academia.stackexchange.com/questions/82869/… Never, ever use these.– Bryan Krause ♦Commented Jul 15, 2020 at 18:54
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1If by tracking email you mean an email sends you a notification when the recipient opens it, then it's probably a bad idea.– GoodDeedsCommented Jul 15, 2020 at 18:55
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Can you elaborate on the history? When did he tell you that, when was your last communication about it, how much does the joint work date back?– user151413Commented Jul 15, 2020 at 19:17
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1The academic clock can run slow. Be aware.– BuffyCommented Jul 15, 2020 at 20:06
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1@GEdgar True, but I have yet to find someone that goes into hibernation for three months like a bear and does not even answer e-mails.– Federico PoloniCommented Jul 16, 2020 at 13:03
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2 Answers
"I want to send an email email asking him for an update about the status of that. Should I do that or I must wait for his reply?"
Absolutely. Why? Because it has been 1 month and you have not received any communication from him yet. Usually after waiting a full 7 days, it is not inappropriate to send a follow-up email.
"How much is an average time of waiting to recieve a reply from Professional co-author?"
It varies. Some people reply the same day, some the same hour, but it's also not uncommon for people to take a month or two to reply.
Usually it is not inappropriate to ask for an update 7 days after the first email. Another one after another 7 days can also often be considered okay. It's when you send more than 2 follow-up emails, or when you do not wait ~7 days between them, that it might start to be seen as "nagging", but even then that's not always the case. Please send him a follow-up email and ask us what to do if you still have problems after that. My guess is that he'll reply (since he asked you for the manuscript).
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2It should read "the vast majority take a month or three" Commented Jul 16, 2020 at 11:19
When communication becomes difficult, when human sensitivity comes into play, don't write mail after mail: call your collaborator by phone. Maybe on phone you can get them to make a credible promise; maybe they will make you understand how overburdened they are right now; maybe they will enjoy a little chat with you; hopefully, your relation with them will grow through direct conversation.
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Calling collaborators on the phone without any prior arrangement or emergency seems horribly intrusive to me.– ArnoCommented Jul 16, 2020 at 13:52