mrfishyfish007

I was just wondering if its not rude to ask a professor you have not met before but are interested in their research and want to help out?

plumazul

OP, are you familiar with the professor's work/publications. Can you discuss it with him/her? If so, the professor would probably love to hear from you.

WayOutWestMom

Not rude, but don't be surprised if you don't get any response.

Do not send out a mass generic email. Make sure to tailor your contact so that you can demonstrate some knowledge about the prof does. You may want to attached a copy of CV to the email.

kristin5792

Worked for me a few years ago when I wanted to get involved with a lab. And it doesn't even matter if your CV is mostly blank or seems not very substantial to you; the fact that you've taken the time to put one together and send it along is good enough. Certainly highlight any relevant experience you have, and if you don't have any, you might include something about how seemingly irrelevant experience is actually relevant (eg 4yrs symphony orchestra in HS isn't exactly bench research, but it shows that you have the discipline to stay dedicated to something time consuming--which is desirable in a lab volunteer or assistant)

i_wanna_be_Brown

Totally ok. Follow the advice given by previous posters

dina4119

YES! this is actually a good way to get into a research, however, like people have said, read any articles they have published and be generally informed about it. Don't email saying "I want to be part of your research" but rather "I want to personally talk to you about your research/ i have some questions", IF (thats a big if) they reply, ask to meet with him/her and say a couple things about their research, at the end tell them you're interested in helping out and have a resume handy

ccuser95

Yes, it's what I did and it worked fine.

Tylerspapa

Son did and it went great for him! Emailed and said that he had read about his research on ............ and wanted to know if he could set up a meeting to discuss the possibility of helping with that research.

cortana431

Yes.... professors and scientists in general love to talk about their work from the ones i spoke to and my friends told me.