How do I handle email addresses in a paper as an undergrad?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the appropriate handling of email addresses in journal papers for undergraduate students, particularly in the context of email account longevity after graduation. Participants explore the implications of using a .edu email address versus a personal email address, considering factors like communication expectations and institutional policies.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the practice of universities deleting email accounts after graduation, suggesting it may disassociate graduates from their institutions.
  • Several participants note that Gmail addresses are commonly used by authors in papers.
  • Another participant argues that the importance of the email address in a paper may be overstated, citing that most communication is directed to the corresponding author, typically a faculty member.
  • It is mentioned that if an undergraduate is not the first or second author, they should not expect to receive emails directly related to the paper.
  • One participant expresses a preference for using their .edu email address despite concerns about its future availability.
  • A suggestion is made to consult with a supervisor regarding the appropriate email to use, as the corresponding author is usually the one in charge.
  • Another participant shares their experience of their institution providing lifelong email accounts for graduate students, implying a potential benefit for undergraduates as well.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the necessity and implications of using a .edu email address versus a personal email address. There is no consensus on the best approach, as some prioritize the stability of a permanent email, while others downplay the significance of the email address in the context of academic publications.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the uncertainty regarding institutional policies on email account retention for undergraduates and the variability in communication practices among authors. The discussion reflects differing experiences and expectations related to email usage in academic publishing.

R.P.F.
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Hey guys,

I have a question about email addresses in a journal paper. It is natural for authors who are professors to leave their .edu email addresses because are rarely changed. But what about for an undergrad? I am graduating in 2 years and the school will delete my account after I graduate. So should I leave my permanent email address instead of .edu email address? Thank you.:cool:
 
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Ouch they delete e-mails right after you graduate? What foresight to immediately disassociate the school with their graduates :biggrin:

I think I've seen some gmail accounts used before.
 
I've seen GMail addresses used quite frequently also.
 
You may be overestimating the importance of the mail address given on a paper:
1) How many mails about the paper do you expect to get two years after publication? The only mails I ever got on publications where either prompt reactions on the preprints by people mentioning that I might be interested in a similar paper of theirs (not sure if that was meant as a help or as a polite complaint of not being cited) or spam mails from the publisher telling me about their newest publications or changes to their webpage.
2) If I wanted to contact the authors of a paper then I'd Google their homepage, since I want to know whom I am writing a mail to, and get the address from there.


As others said I would not expect a problem by using a non-institute address. But I would neither want to publish my personal mail address nor create a dedicated account that I have to check (and only get the publisher spam on, anyways).
 
R.P.F. said:
Hey guys,

I have a question about email addresses in a journal paper. It is natural for authors who are professors to leave their .edu email addresses because are rarely changed. But what about for an undergrad? I am graduating in 2 years and the school will delete my account after I graduate. So should I leave my permanent email address instead of .edu email address? Thank you.:cool:

I'm not sure it matters- generally, articles specify a "corresponding author" who is almost always a faculty member with a stable email address.
 
Also if you aren't the first or second author then don't expect any emails. Generally most communication will be through the first author who then may forward anything that might be relevant to what you did if they need a response from you.
 
Clever-Name said:
Also if you aren't the first or second author then don't expect any emails. Generally most communication will be through the first author who then may forward anything that might be relevant to what you did if they need a response from you.

I happen to be the first author.:wink:

Thanks guys for all your replies! I guess I will stick to my .edu email address.:biggrin:
 
R.P.F. said:
I happen to be the first author.:wink:

Thanks guys for all your replies! I guess I will stick to my .edu email address.:biggrin:

You might want to check with your supervisor. As Andy has stated, usually the contact e-mail address is the person "in charge", which normally is your supervisor, and not necessarily the first author.

Zz.
 
My school quietly gives graduate students e-mail for life for just this reason (and possibly other benefits, like journal and network access--fingers crossed). The undergrads used to get an alumni e-mail alias using a different TLD that just forwarded on e-mails, but this may have changed with our switchover to GMail.

Perhaps your institution does the same in regards to undergrads / grads?

Since I already had a numbered e-mail address, I hope they don't run out of e-mail addresses any time soon! I'm reminded of an SNL skit WARNING: contains some NSFW language:
http://www.tressugar.com/SNL-Skit-Clownpenisfart-1965732

What do you expect from a skit named clownpenis.fart?
 
Last edited:

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