Emailing me
Email from nonacquaintances outside MIT to me will likely be read only if
- I am the sole recipient, and I am addressed by name.
- You write in full sentences and check your grammar.
- The content makes it clear why you are emailing me. It should not be a generic message that you could send to any professor.
- You sign your full name if you have not emailed me before.
Questions
If you have a question about mathematics:
- First ask it to math students and professors near you.
- If they agree that the question is worth asking but
they are unable to answer it, then post it at Mathematics Stack Exchange or MathOverflow.
- If you get no answers, then get recommendations from the local professors on whom else to ask.
- If you do end up contacting a few professors that you do not know,
follow the instructions above for sending unsolicited email.
- Do not assume that the professor is obligated to reply -
most professors are overwhelmed
with other duties, such as teaching, research, committees, administration, refereeing articles, organizing conferences, writing recommendation letters, submitting grant proposals, serving on editorial boards, etc.
It is impossible for them to volunteer their time to help everyone
in the world.
But if your question is interesting and relevant to their expertise,
then you may get an answer!
Getting feedback on your discoveries
Most professors do not have spare time to volunteer to provide feedback on your work, unless it is directly related to a specific article they have written. Instead follow this excellent advice.
Sincerely,
Bjorn Poonen
Professor of Mathematics, and Distinguished Professor in Science