How to talk to academics
Published on 31 October 14
Talking to academics - whether about essays or general academic questions - is really important, but speaking to a world expert can be intimidating. We've asked some academics from across the University for their advice on making contact with them and getting the most out of meetings.
Make use of office hours
Academics and lecturers usually hold weekly office hours where students can drop by to talk to them about anything, from asking about things you don't understand to getting help with your essays. The hours are usually listed on your course handbook, on their staff page or you can just ask at the end of class.
"In the School of Maths, every academic has an office hour when students can turn up without an appointment to talk to the academic. If the student wants to book an appointment outside an office hour we ask the students to contact the academic by email. Academic staff are expected to reply to all such emails within two working days."
Dr Louise Walker, Reader in Mathematics
Book an appointment
Academics are often really busy, what with giving lectures, marking papers and doing their own research, so if you can't make their office hour, drop them an email to book an appointment.
Students often feel out of the loop with their lecturers and tutors, and it's worth noting that academics can be dealing with a lot of different students at one time. However if you reach out to them most are more than happy to accommodate you, and it can mean you get to have a much more in-depth chat.
"Academics are busy people: we do many things besides just giving lectures! Most of us are normally more than happy to talk to students whenever they drop by our offices (particularly if it's something that is urgent), but - if we're really busy - we might ask you to arrange a mutually convenient time or during our office hour. The best way of contacting me is via email - I am (sadly!) addicted to checking my email and will normally reply fairly quickly."
Dr Charles Walkden, Senior Lecturer in Pure Mathematics
Ask the right people
Make sure you contact the right person. For admin questions, such as deadlines and lecture locations, it is often better to contact your department's student support staff, and they usually reply more promptly!
Visit other academics
If you are writing your dissertation, or your PhD thesis, then you are allowed to go and chat to other academics for advice and guidance. Whilst they will not know your project as well as your supervisor, they can be a useful point of contact for reading suggestions so if there is someone with relevant expertise then why not go and see them? But remember to drop them an email first.
Plan ahead
Make sure you know what you want to discuss with your lecturer before you show up. Knowing exactly what you want to find out can help you get the most out of the meeting, and it will ensure you don't waste both yours, and your lecturer's time.
"I think students really must just be brave and knock on the door and, overwhelmingly in my experience, will receive a positive welcome. If they want to discuss a particular academic issue or question, I always find it very useful for them to think carefully about the issue, do some reading around it, so they might be in a position to discuss in detail rather than simply come in and say please help me with this."
Dr David Brown, Senior Lecturer in American Studies
Academics are an incredibly useful tool, who can improve your grades and make your University experience more enjoyable, so make sure you get the most out of them.