Professor

A professor is a senior academic rank at universities and other higher education institutions. Professors typically hold the highest level of appointment in their field and are expected to contribute through teaching, research, and service. The term derives from the Latin professor, meaning “one who proclaims publicly” or “a person who teaches.”

Career progression and tenure vary by country. In many systems, candidates advance from assistant professor to associate professor and then to professor, often after a sustained record of scholarship and successful review. Tenure or permanent appointment is commonly pursued before attaining the final rank, and some institutions recognize emeritus status for retired professors who continue to contribute.

Duties typically include designing and delivering courses, supervising undergraduate and graduate students, and advising on theses and dissertations. Professors conduct original research, publish in scholarly journals, present at conferences, and seek external funding. They also participate in governance, curriculum development, and service to peers, universities, and the wider community.

Geographic variations exist. In the United States and Canada, professor is a rank that may denote tenure or tenure track; full, associate, and assistant professors describe levels within the title. In the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, Professor is a senior title above reader or senior lecturer, awarded after a rigorous international assessment. Visiting or adjunct professors are often temporary appointments.

Emeritus professors are retired but retain their title as an honor and may continue to teach or mentor and to conduct research on campus.