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1 year ago in Scholarly Etiquette By Shobha
How long is it appropriate to wait for a response from a potential collaborator before sending a follow-up email‑ I don’t want to seem pushy or desperate.
I emailed a professor at another university two weeks ago with a detailed, exciting collaboration proposal that aligns perfectly with their work. I haven't heard back. Is it too soon to follow up? What should a polite nudge say without damaging the potential relationship?
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By Amrit Answered 3 weeks ago
In academia, a two-week silence is common and not necessarily a rejection—inboxes are deep. My rule is to send a single, polite follow-up after 3-4 weeks. Your nudge should be brief and light. The subject should be "Re: [Original Subject]". The body: "Dear Prof. [Name], I hope this message finds you well. I'm writing to gently follow up on my email below regarding [briefly mention the core idea, e.g., 'the potential collaboration on X']. I understand you are incredibly busy, but I wanted to ensure it didn't get lost in the shuffle. Please let me know if you might have a moment to consider it. Regardless, thank you for your time." This shows persistence without pressure. If there's still no reply after the nudge, it's best to move on; further contact may be perceived as harassment.
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