Should I step back or lower my expectations?

I’m trying to get some perspective on a situation because I’m honestly not sure how to read it.

I met a woman recently through an academic connection. We have the same PhD supervisor, which is how we initially crossed paths, and we’ve ended up having a lot in common beyond that. She was actually the one who suggested we meet for coffee, and when we did, I felt a really strong chemistry between us. The conversation flowed incredibly naturally and I came away feeling that there might be something more than just a shared academic connection.

Since then, we’ve continued talking and the conversations themselves are genuinely good. She has also said that we should meet again.

The problem is that I can’t work out what is actually behind it. I don’t know if she is genuinely interested in getting to know me on a personal or potentially romantic level, or if she simply enjoys talking to me because we get along well and have this academic connection through our supervisor. There’s enough warmth and curiosity there that it doesn’t feel purely formal, but there also hasn’t been anything explicit enough for me to know how she sees it.

The communication pattern makes it harder. She can sometimes go several days without saying anything, although when we do talk, the conversation can be long and very engaged. I’m not necessarily expecting constant texting, but after feeling such a strong connection in person, I guess I expected the dynamic to become a little clearer afterwards.

I think what is getting to me is the uncertainty. I’ve started wondering whether I’m reading more into the connection than is actually there, and whether I should simply step back and let her show me, through her own actions, how much she actually wants to continue this.

I’m not looking for people to tell me whether she is “definitely interested” or “definitely not”. I’m more interested in how you would interpret this kind of situation. Would you keep going naturally and see where it leads, or would you take a step back and let the other person take some initiative? TY!