Professor

The meaning of the word professor (Latin: person who professes expertise in some art or science) varies. In most English-speaking countries, it refers to a senior academic who holds a departmental chair, especially as head of the department, or a personal chair awarded specifically to that individual. In some countries like in the United States, Hong Kong, Canada and India, individuals often use the term professor as a polite form of address for any teacher, lecturer, or researcher employed by a college or university, regardless of rank. In some countries, e.g. Austria, Romania, Serbia and Italy, the term also applies to high school teachers. (See differences and main systems below for more information.)

The balance of these four classic fields of professorial tasks depends heavily on the institution, place (country), and time. For example, professors at highly research-oriented universities in the U.S. and all European universities are promoted primarily on the basis of their research achievements as well as their success in raising money from sources outside the university.