Professor

Professor is an academic rank at universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes". Professors are usually experts in their field and teachers of the highest rank.

History

The term "professor" was first used in the late 14th century to mean "one who teaches a branch of knowledge". This comes from the Old French professeur (14c.) and directly from Latin professor which means "person who professes to be an expert in some art or science; teacher of highest rank". The Latin term came from the agent noun from profiteri, which means "lay claim to, declare openly". As a title that is prefixed to a name, it dates from 1706. The short form prof is recorded from 1838. The term "professor" is also used with a different meaning: "one who affirms a faith in and allegiance to something". The term is also used in this sense in the Quran. Therefore, in the Islamic world, the term professor is used in a broader sense, referring to scholars of religious subjects.

Roles and duties

In most systems of academic ranks, "professor" refers only to the most senior academic position, sometimes informally known as "full" professor. In some countries and institutions, the word "professor" is also used in titles of lower ranks such as associate professor and assistant professor. This colloquial usage would be considered incorrect among most other academic communities. However, the unqualified title "Professor" designated with a capital letter usually refers to a full professor also in English language usage. Professors often conduct original research and commonly teach undergraduate, professional and postgraduate courses in their fields of expertise. In universities with graduate schools, professors may mentor and supervise graduate students conducting research for a thesis or dissertation. In many universities, full professors take on senior managerial roles, leading departments, research teams and institutes, and filling roles such as dean, pro-vice-chancellor, vice-chancellor (the head of the university), and chancellor (the ceremonial head of the university). The role of professor may be more public facing than that of more junior staff, and professors are expected to be national or international leaders in their field of expertise.

See also

• Academic ranks
• Academic tenure
• Adjunct professor
• Assistant professor
• Associate professor
• Lecturer
• Reader (academic rank)

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