Etiquette advice

[Rosebudbebe]

I am a PhD student and the world of academia is a new and daunting world to me!

What is the proper etiquette for making academic introductions? So person A has asked me if I know anyone (with specific expertise) who may be potentially interested in collaborating. I have thought of persons B and C, neither of whom I know well, but am connected to.

Do I first contact B and C to give them a heads up and ask permission to pass on their email? Or do I send a simple intro email to each, copying person A in??

I'm unsure if this complicates matters...but person A is working with me on my project, by providing service user input and this is how I know them.

Am I just massively overthinking this? 🤯

Hey, OP

It depends on what Persons B and C are like. If they're nice, approachable, friendly, you have a good relationship with them, and you know they're not currently buried in work (e.g. working towards a deadline), then I would send B and C and email with A copied in say something like:

Hi B and C,

I'm emailing to introduce you to A who's working with me on [whatever] Person A is interested in doing some collaborative work around [whatever] so I thought of you two. I hope you don't mind me introducing you all, and I hope you can get something off the ground.

If B and C are super busy or you're not too close with them, then it might be worth a quick courtesy email to see if they'd be willing to be put in touch.

Don't over-think it

I would do the heads up emails (or texts) first. Just to avoid any possible annoyance at having their contact details shared. (Even if openly available!)

This is what I’ve done myself, anyway.

I'm emailing to introduce you to A who's working with me on [whatever]

Strictly, you wouldn't be introducing them to A; you'd be introducing A to them. The message should say 'I'm e-mailing to introduce A...'

But I agree it would be courteous to contact them first, without copying in A, and give them A's details (with permission) so they can then decide whether they want to take it further.

Really interesting to read other poster's thoughts.

If I were person B or C, I'd prefer to just have the Person A introduction email so that it's only one email to answer (rather than having to answer the pre-emptive email, than the introduction email). Plus, I'd prefer to tell Person A my reasons if I wasn't interested in collaborating.

Wow.

If you are all working on a project together, it would be fine to send an email to all three together.

Since you are not already working together, you are in fact asking B and C for a favour, I would definitely write to each privately, to ask their permission to send their contact details on to A or,even better, let them know that A would like to be in touch. You could forward an email from A to each (privately) and leave it to B and to C separately to contact A

I would never send anyone's email to a third person without their permission.

Not just academic circles, in any circumstances, business or social.

Thank you for the input, useful to get some views.

I agree with not emailing all at once. It puts the person on the spot about having to say no for whatever reason.

The only instance I’d do so would be when it’s so obvious an opportunity to be invited, and that it’s time sensitive (say for a media interview).

I imagine speaking to A first about why you think B & C are suitable, make sure they are what A had in mind.

With green light from A, then separate (probably cloned) emails to each of B & C, ccing A, where you tell B & C about the project, who A is, & ask if they would like to be involved -- if they are interested, then please suggest some approximate days/times to all meet (Doodle poll probably required). You can wait until meeting to make clear that both B & C were invited to participate.

Only reason not to do that is if you know B&C have any animosity in their history.