professoras

Professoras is the feminine plural form of the noun professor in Portuguese, used to refer to women who hold professorial positions as teachers, researchers, or instructors at schools, colleges, or universities. The masculine form is professores, and in mixed or gender-neutral contexts the masculine plural is often used. The explicit feminine form is commonly employed when the gender of the educators is relevant or emphasized.

Linguistically, professor(a) derives from Latin roots meaning a person who proclaims or teaches publicly. In Portuguese, the suffix -as marks the feminine plural, while -es marks the masculine plural. In formal address, titles such as Professor or Professora are often used before a surname, and abbreviated forms like Prof. or Profª may appear in written and verbal communication.

Roles and settings for professoras span a range of educational environments. They teach courses, develop curricula, assess student work, supervise research projects, and contribute to academic administration. In universities, professoras may engage in research, publish scholarly articles, and mentor graduate students; in schools, they typically teach specific subjects and guide student learning.

Representation and context: globally, women have historically been underrepresented in higher academic ranks, although the share of professoras has increased in many regions. Challenges cited in some sectors include gender bias, unequal access to leadership positions, and work-life balance considerations. Initiatives to promote gender equality, mentorship programs, and transparent hiring practices aim to improve representation and career advancement for professoras.

See also: professor, professora (singular), academia, gender equality in academia.