HOW TO REACH OUT TO PROFESSORS AND PRACTITIONERS FOR HELP WITH YOUR RESEARCH

When conducting research, you want to ensure you have the most acute and comprehensive understanding of your country, policy area, and/or conflict. So, what better way then talking with an expert.

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Who exactly is an expert?

An expert can be anyone from a professor you had prior, a policy-maker in your field of interest, or a fellow researcher at a think tank. Connecting with these individuals can be a key part of your research process, and may even shine new light on an aspect you were not even considering.

Before emailing an expert

· Plan ahead. Do not reach out a week before your paper is due.

· Briefly research the individual you are reaching out to, what they researched, studied, published, etc.

Writing the email

· Formality is key.

· Introduce yourself and your research topic. clearly and concisely.

· Relate their past work to your research topic.

· Inquiry about their interest in your topic.

· Ask directly if they would be willing to speak with you in-person or over the phone.

· Express gratitude for their time and consideration.

· Express gratitude for their time and consideration

Following up

• Follow up WITHIN 2 weeks of original email — experts are busy and may have missed your email in their Inbox!

• Respectfully, ask if they still would be interested in discussing your research.

• Optional: Provide specific times and dates you are available to allow them to choose what is most convenient.

The ‘DO NOTS’ of writing emails

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Some may seem obvious, but you would be surprised the mistakes people make the first time they reach out to experts.

1) DO NOT use a non-traditional font such as Comic Sans, stick to Times New Roman or Arial.

2) DO NOT address the individual by their first name unless a prior relationship warrants it.

3) DO NOT take an entire paragraph to explain your research.

4) DO NOT reference any ’requirements’ of speaking with experts — you want to show genuine interest in them and their expertise.

5) DO NOT BCC several experts at a time — it is disrespectful and they will know.