I get so much email that I can’t reply to all of it. Even in the best of circumstances, I often can’t reply right away. So here is a brief guide on whether to email me (if you haven’t already), and what to expect (if you have).
- tl;dr
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- To discuss (hiring me for) research, email nlpresearch.eloquent365@passfwd.com.
- To discuss teaching, admin, or other university business, email alopez@ed.ac.uk.
- To ask for a reference for someone who has worked with me, email alopez@ed.ac.uk
- I don’t have bandwidth to answer emails asking for jobs or studentships, or about university business that doesn’t involve me.
- Do you have a specific question related to my published research?
- Email nlpresearch.eloquent365@passfwd.com, and please also email my coauthors, who may be able to reply more quickly.
- Do you want to hire me for consulting work or a new job?
- Email nlpresearch.eloquent365@passfwd.com. Please be patient waiting for a reponse.
- Are you a friend and/ or (former) research student?
- I would love to hear from you! Please email my personal address if you have it, otherwise one of the other addresses on this page.
- Are you a (former) PhD / MSc / UG thesis student or employee in need of a reference?
- I would love to help! Please email alopez@ed.ac.uk, and provide as much detail as you can about the position and your application. I’d appreciate as much advance notice as you can give me.
- Are you a (former) taught student in need of a reference?
- Unless I know you well, the best I can provide is a brief synopsis of your performance in my course(s), which is of limited value for most job or PhD applications. If a brief synopsis suffices, I’ll happily supply one: email alopez@ed.ac.uk. However, for most job or PhD applications, you will be best served by a reference from someone who has worked with you closely and knows your work well.
- Are you an employer seeking a reference for one of my (former) students or employees?
- I will be happy to provide a reference. Email alopez@ed.ac.uk with details.
- Are you seeking a studentship or other position with me?
- I am accepting PhD students only. Email alopez@ed.ac.uk after first reading the my advice for prospective team members.
- Are you seeking information about courses or programmes at the university?
- I am the course organiser for FNLP and the Year Organiser for Informatics UG4 and UG5 students. For questions related to either, email alopez@ed.ac.uk. I can’t help with anything else, and am unlikely to respond.
- Are you interested in other university business?
- I am unlikely to respond to emails about university business unless I’m obliged or already committed.
- Are you interested in something not covered by the answers above?
- It is unlikely that I will respond to emails on other topics. My time is finite, and every email I respond to chips away at the time that I have for the people that matter to me.