Questions tagged [etiquette]
The customary code of polite behavior amongst the academic world.
313
questions
76
votes
1
answer
14k
views
How should I phrase an important question that I need to ask a professor?
When needing to ask a professor about something important and potentially delicate, what is an appropriate way to phrase the question or write the email?
Examples include:
Requesting a ...
- 186k
37
votes
3
answers
15k
views
Is my paper under review (or similar) for too long and if yes, how should I react?
I submitted a paper to a journal, and I suspect that it is handled too slowly.
How can I decide whether my suspicion is correct? What handling times should I expect?
Given some expected handling ...
127
votes
8
answers
67k
views
Is ignoring emails acceptable in academia?
As a grad student, I just find it tremendously frustrating when emails are ignored by faculty (both at my institution and at other places). Is this acceptable? I'd be content with a simple response ...
user6876
63
votes
9
answers
84k
views
Is it appropriate to buy a "thank you" gift for a PhD supervisor?
I am nearing the end of my PhD and I would quite like to buy a "thank you" gift for my supervisor (although, she's the socially awkward type who I'm sure will be greatly embarrassed to receive one).
...
- 1,323
47
votes
2
answers
25k
views
Etiquette on sending a thank you e-mail to respondents who gave me helpful information
Sometimes there are cases in a e-mail correspondence with academia staff (professors and bureaucrats) in which I don't know which is the best practice. I wonder if there is any best practice for the ...
- 1,031
66
votes
10
answers
5k
views
Should academic papers necessarily carry a sober tone?
I was reading this paper titled "Optimal Symmetric Rendezvous Search on Three Locations." While talking about the history of search problems, the author mentions the following anecdote in passing.
...
- 22.8k
37
votes
10
answers
114k
views
Is it OK to call a professor by his first name when he/she signs emails by only first name?
If a professor in a North American country presents his- or herself by his/her first name in email messages, does this mean that students can refer to him/her by his/her first name? Or is this ...
- 1,132
12
votes
4
answers
135k
views
No response from Professor; how should I remind him about writing a recommendation for me?
I'm applying to a BS/MS program and I'm gathering recommendations. I'm an international student from China and I was transferred to my current college last year.
Two weeks ago, I went to see my ...
- 123
64
votes
8
answers
5k
views
Should you conform to journal formatting requirements for the initial submission?
In my past experiences, I have almost never typeset my manuscripts according to the formats required by the journals to which I would like to submit. I leave my manuscripts as produced by the LaTeX ...
- 7,596
55
votes
2
answers
55k
views
Whether and how to thank a girlfriend or boyfriend in the acknowledgements of thesis?
How is it received by the academia if someone thanks to his/her girlfriend/boyfriend in the acknowledgements of the thesis?
I have seen writers including his/her fiancee in the acknowledgements, ...
- 12.2k
50
votes
6
answers
18k
views
Dressing etiquette for interviews in academia
Are there expected dressing norms at faculty interviews? Will a casual tee-jeans be discouraged?
In the same vein, what is expected when a student visits the campus for an interview?
- 22.8k
36
votes
5
answers
15k
views
What to do when you discover a mistake in the archived copy of your PhD thesis?
I've just defended my PhD in mathematics and started a postdoc. While working on an improvement of one of the results of my thesis, I realized that there are several minor mistakes and a big bug in a ...
- 361
37
votes
8
answers
57k
views
Is it ethical to accept small gifts from students? And how small is small?
Is it ethical to accept small gifts from students? In past years I have one or two students have given me small gifts, generally a box of chocolates. I judge the size of gifts on my international beer ...
- 104k
14
votes
6
answers
6k
views
How do researchers send unsolicited emails asking for feedback on their works? [duplicate]
I wonder how a researcher send an unsolicited email to another one asking for feedback to their work. I guess it will be something like this?
Hello Dr. X
To introduce myself, I am Y, in institute Z. ...
- 8,170
75
votes
8
answers
17k
views
Is generic "thank you" email a waste of time in academia?
A very busy professor just responded my email. He answered my questions, and in the end, he explicitly said something like "Please let me know if you have any questions" or "Please respond if you have ...
- 1,847
74
votes
5
answers
9k
views
How does it affect the treatment of a mathematician's results, if that mathematician was a Nazi?
I've been studying uses of quaternions to study various types of orbifolds. The important thing here though is that I came across an absolutely incredible result due to Vahlen in 1901, that apparently ...
- 2,128
52
votes
6
answers
111k
views
When / how should I ask about a manuscript's status in review?
I have a manuscript that has been in review for 60 days. The journal asks for reviews within four weeks. At what point is it acceptable (and not detrimental) to contact the editor for an update? How ...
- 3,305
50
votes
13
answers
31k
views
Is it acceptable for a student to connect with a professor on LinkedIn?
Earlier in the semester, I was informed by both an advisor/academic counselor and a professor at my university that it is a good idea to connect with professors on LinkedIn if they have interests in ...
- 1,567
43
votes
12
answers
43k
views
Should I call my adviser by her first name?
I have worked with my adviser for a few months as a graduate student. Everyone, including her other graduate students, seems to call her by her first name. She never expressed a preference to me, so I'...
- 449
31
votes
5
answers
8k
views
Why the taboo against naming discoveries after yourself?
It is often considered a very bad idea to try to name a discovery (a law, phenomenon or an invention) after yourself.
On the other hand, there are many species names which seem to be a bastardized ...
- 8,145
67
votes
9
answers
16k
views
What is the best way to deal with cranks?
Imagine you are minding your own business when you receive an email from someone who claims to have discovered the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. He provides ...
- 121k
60
votes
12
answers
8k
views
Handling unsolicited proofs of famous mathematical problems
I have been receiving mails from (most probably amateurs), who claims to have proved famous mathematical problems, like the ABC Conjecture or Goldbach Conjecture. But invariably, they all contained ...
- 1,023
59
votes
11
answers
9k
views
Share prize money from conference presentation award with co-authors?
I am a PhD student and I recently won a young scientist award and prize money (~500 USD) at a conference for the "best presentation". I did the majority of the work for the presentation, and I was the ...
- 871
40
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Should I notify people I mention in the acknowledgements section?
I recently finished a paper in which I received valuable feedback from two professors (neither supervisors nor coauthors) at some specific points, which ultimately leaded to localized significant ...
- 871
40
votes
6
answers
11k
views
Hiring a PhD student who left another PhD position
It's the first time I'm recruiting for a PhD student. I advertised the position and have received a dozen applications and there are still 2 weeks left on the 4 week announcement.
What caught my eye ...
- 7,484
36
votes
9
answers
19k
views
What is a good etiquette to correct a person using wrong title for me?
I currently have a masters degree in an engineering field and I don't currently have any PhD degrees (I may study for a doctorate degree in future). It happens that when I go to conferences or ...
- 7,490
23
votes
4
answers
7k
views
In what situations would it be appropriate to include one's photograph in a CV?
I think I have only seen one CV where a photograph of the CV owner was included. I personally wouldn't want to put my photograph in my CV, but I was wondering, in what situations would including a ...
- 3,098
20
votes
5
answers
24k
views
Do german professors like to be called "Herr X"?
I am a German student at a German university. I and everyone I know usually addresses my professors with "Herr Lastname" or "Frau Lastname". Sometimes I wonder whether they would prefer if I addressed ...
65
votes
5
answers
11k
views
Should I include funny pictures in my slides?
I am preparing slides for a short (10min) talk at the group meeting. The talk is about a fairly serious piece of (pure) mathematics, and it so happens that there is a very relevant one-panel webcomic. ...
- 6,357
55
votes
5
answers
15k
views
Should I send an email to authors of a paper I enjoyed reading?
For me as a graduate student, there are some papers out there that really stand out among the others. Some of them are really meaningful and inspiring.
Is it polite or even acceptable emailing the ...
- 875
51
votes
6
answers
15k
views
Should your PhD students call you by your first name?
I've read at least one career advice essay that calls out asking your PhD students to call you by your first name as unprofessional.
My coworkers and I always called our PhD advisor by his first name,...
- 6,153
38
votes
13
answers
11k
views
Under what circumstances would a professor be offended at students taping or recording his or her lecture?
Are there any policies on taping or recording or even streaming a professor's lecture?
What do professors think about students who do this?
Obviously, most circumstances the professor would never ...
- 11.4k
35
votes
3
answers
13k
views
Is it okay for a potential post doc to send an email to professor on the weekend?
I am talking with a professor to apply to a postdoc program. I sent a cold email earlier this week and we have exchanged a few emails.
In his last email he sent me some papers to read.
The thing is, I ...
- 489
33
votes
5
answers
17k
views
How frequently can you ask for a personal reference without being disrespectful?
When applying for post-doctoral and faculty positions you are typically asked for three (sometimes more) reference letters to support your application.
Given that it is competitive out there, it ...
- 624
22
votes
9
answers
48k
views
Is it appropriate to say "hi" to a professor in email?
There is a professor with whom I've taken two courses so far, and who has also agreed to write me a reference letter for graduate school when I complete my undergraduate program. I usually write to ...
- 1,132
22
votes
3
answers
29k
views
What is the etiquette for thesis acknowledgements that thank God?
I saw that some theses acknowledgements thanks God, so are there any rules or suggestions about that? Is it ok to do it for believers or just don't mention your religious affiliation in a scientific ...
- 4,970
22
votes
8
answers
15k
views
Is a business card necessary for a graduate student?
I know some PhD students have their own business cards, but I don't know if it is a standard practice for PhD students to have their own business cards. I think a business card can be useful for ...
- 3,559
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Is it rude to ask the status of an application?
I have applied for a PhD position in October 2015. I was not informed about the result since then.
Is it appropriate to send a mail to a member of the hiring committee (with whom I have contacted ...
- 12.2k
7
votes
2
answers
11k
views
How to refer to a university that changed its name?
More than 10 years ago I went to University A School of Engineering, in the USA and used this name on all resumés, etc. Now, I am applying to attend this same school again (for another degree).
Over ...
- 1,007
4
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Is this way of writing e-mails to professors asking for funded PhD positions to work under their supervision good?
I am a person in an Asian country who plans to write to professors in Europe for a PhD position in Math for the session of 2022. I know Europe has a lot of countries and is certainly not a uniform ...
user135061
1
vote
1
answer
756
views
How should I phrase a question about an *ordinary academic matter* to a Professor?
Question: Suppose you need to communicate with an academic about some ordinary academic matter that falls within the scope of the ordinary activities of an academic. Perhaps this is a standard ...
- 62.5k
0
votes
1
answer
955
views
Professor not responding to my mails after earlier discussions
I have applied to a professor from another university - and from another country, in case that is relevant - about doing my undergraduate thesis under him.
He said he liked my profile and asked me ...
- 197
0
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How much of humor in a formal academic writing is considered as disrespect? [duplicate]
In a formal academic writing (in the everyday sense), is it appropriate to use phrases such as "step out on" to titillate the reader?
Since I am not a native English speaker, and since I have not ...
- 7,596
223
votes
13
answers
81k
views
Female students coming to office hours in overly revealing clothing
[because this is potentially relevant, I'm a 37 y/o male]
Being the end of the semester, I've had a bunch of students come to my office hours to ask questions about things I'm responsible for. Among ...
- 8,958
128
votes
10
answers
39k
views
Should a young professor avoid using dating apps?
I am a recent PhD graduate in mathematics, and I will be starting a tenure-track position this fall at a small liberal arts college in a northern US city.
My graduate degree was completed at a large ...
- 1,157
91
votes
16
answers
40k
views
How to handle lecturer who doesn't let me use my phone?
Inspired by another question where a user asks how to handle students with a phone, my question is from the opposite perspective: what is the correct response when a lecturer asks one to put away the ...
- 1,122
82
votes
9
answers
18k
views
Is it appropriate (as a PhD student) to email other researchers asking about some details in their papers?
It has happened on several occasion now, that I read a paper, understand 95% of it, but there are some niggling details which I simply don't get. I ask around, I ask my advisor, and nobody is able to ...
user42273
66
votes
12
answers
22k
views
Is it okay if a professor friends a student on social media sites?
If a professor is teaching a student currently, is it okay if he/she friends the student on social media sites such as Facebook or Google Plus?
- 739
52
votes
11
answers
110k
views
What should a proper email signature look like for graduate students?
So far, what I have is
First and Last Name
Title
Group/Lab Name
School Name
Address and Phone
I'm especially confused about the "title". I'm not sure if it should say "Graduate Student", "Research ...
- 1,417
48
votes
3
answers
13k
views
What should I do if I found a citation error in a published paper?
I've found a mistake in a published paper, and am unsure what to do now.
I was looking at all cited articles from a paper over 10 years old, and found one that is citing the paper in error.
A ...
- 583