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

• Do not send me an email generated from an LLM.
• 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.

First things first: if you can’t be bothered to write it, I can’t be bothered to read it.

Do not send me an email written or polished by an LLM. It’s rude. I’ve read all kinds of text written by many different human authors, and I am always happy to read something written in a person’s authentic voice. Especially students!

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.