Ttyjukl

Lately I have been developing a good relationship with Prof. Wright.

She has clearly* gone out of her way a few times to help me, having a very pleasant, generous, and kind personality. Prof. Wright is searching for students (in her university of course, undergraduate, Master, or PhD). I really like her research and would love to work in her area. However, there's no researcher working in the field anywhere near** my local university.

This brings the reason for this question: I have been thinking about
asking her if she could advise me.

1. Is this unreasonable?


2. If not, how unlikely is it for her to accept? (To make this practical: what would you do if you were in her shoes?)


3. Is there a chance of this ruining our relationship? If yes, what can I do to make sure it won't ruin it?


4. Finally, if I'm going to ask her to be my advisor, it won't (of course and unfortunately) be in person, which means email. What can I do to enhance my
   chances here?

A few remarks which are (probably) important:

1. Of course such a setting should benefit both people! I would like to contribute to her research, in a way that is useful to her too;


2. The subject is purely theoretical and does not require lab/field work;


3. I am moderately independent when it comes to research. (This means I can't produce original research by myself, but can write an introduction to this area).

*To prevent against any kind of bias I may have in making this judgment, I have explained my situation to a few people, who agreed this is indeed a(n unusually) good relationship.

**Near here means less than 2000 km (probably even more).

It's probably not impossible, but distance isn't the only impediment. If you want her to be your formal advisor then you may need permission from both universities and they may need to work out some compensation, depending on the rules. This will be especially the case if she needs to formally approve (perhaps sign) your dissertation.

Distance is a problem of course, but with today's communication options it can be overcome in such a case. But you should also consider the possibility, even the necessity, of working face to face on occasion. One way to do this is through attendance at a conference with an extra day or so to work after or before the conference itself. There are other options, of course, including trying to get a small grant from somewhere to cover travel - either yours or hers.

But asking is certainly appropriate if you are willing to also work to obtain the necessary permissions and deal with the distance issue.

If she is to be only a secondary advisor it is a bit simpler, but needs the buy-in from your main advisor at your current place. This is easiest if the two know one another and are comfortable working together. But there may still be permission and compensation issues to deal with.

Make sure you know at the start everyone's expectations about joint authorship of anything you produce, of course.

Since you have now added that you're an undergraduate, I think it's actually pretty unlikely she will agree.

A few issues:

1. Advising people is hard; advising undergraduates is even harder; and doing that long-distance is basically impossible. Although, you haven't stated your field. Maybe it's easier in your field than mine, or in theory. Still, personally, I would never accept to tele-mentor someone, especially someone I hadn't met in person.




2. In principle, she has a commitment to undergraduates at her university first, before those a continent away. If her department requires research credit (called "499" or "independent study" at my university), that's taking a slot away from one of their majors.




3. If you are required to have a mentor in your department, they most likely won't accept an off-campus one.

Asking won't ruin your relationship, although it might make you seem a little out of touch with what's required from such a relationship.

I think your best bet is to find faculty at your current university who can be your mentor on paper (and can actually contribute!) but is open to working with the distant professor. Maybe you can ask her if she knows anyone in your department.

Collaborating with her now will certainly help you get into her group in graduate school! I'm sure she's happy to have someone excited about her work and wanting to work with her, but I think it's pretty unlikely she can/will do anything official for you.

(Like I said, I don't know your field, but I'm not sure if "but can write an introduction to this area" is "moderately independent.")