Monday, May 24, 2010

Is one supposed to address university profs by their first name in an email?

I've been reprimanded in my home country for being over-polite in emails to university professors (I'm a postgrad student). Is there a "rule" for that in England? Should I switch to "Dear X," after a couple of email exchanges, or is "Dear Prof/Dr X Y," still the safest choice? Please help :-/

Is one supposed to address university profs by their first name in an email?
It kind of depends on the particular professor/doctor. When I was at university a couple of years ago, I always felt uncomfortable calling my teacher by a first name, but a lot of other students did it and they seemed okay with it.





You should always address the first email or letter to Dr/Prof X, but if they reply signing off with just their first name, I would take that as them saying they would like to be called by their first name. Let them make the decision!
Reply:You can never be "over-polite". Someone may correct you and ask you to call them by their first name but that is just their preference.





It is correct to address a professor as "Professor (Last name)" unless or until they tell you otherwise. They have earned that title and should be addressed that way.



Reply:When someone has earned a title of distinction such as doctor, professor, or knight ("Sir Elton John") it is always safe to address them using their title.





Individually they may prefer something otherwise such as a first name, but you won't know this until they make such a request of you.
Reply:Look on the University web site and see how they are addressed. If you see them in person, ask how they would like to be addressed.

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