Professor vs. Reader — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 28, 2023
Professor is a high-ranking university academic title, whereas a Reader, mainly in UK universities, is an academic rank below a full professor but above a senior lecturer.
Difference Between Professor and Reader
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The terms Professor and Reader denote different academic ranks within the higher education system, with variations between countries, particularly between the US and the UK. A Professor is a high-ranking academic, usually possessing a doctorate, who teaches and often conducts research at a university. Professors are knowledgeable and experienced individuals who contribute significantly to their fields, publishing research, and mentoring the next generation of academics.
In contrast, the title Reader is primarily used in the UK and some Commonwealth countries and represents an academic rank below a full professor but above a senior lecturer. A Reader typically has a substantial record of research and publication and may also have administrative responsibilities. Readers are respected academics who have demonstrated expertise and scholarly contributions in their disciplines, often balancing teaching, research, and administrative roles.
While both Professor and Reader entail high academic merit and standing, the distinction between them lies in the level of responsibility, the range of duties, and the academic hierarchy within institutions. Professors generally hold more senior positions, overseeing academic departments, guiding research directions, and shaping institutional policies. Meanwhile, Readers usually have a more focused role, emphasizing research and teaching, but with less overarching responsibility.
Understanding the different expectations and roles associated with the titles Professor and Reader is crucial for students, academics, and institutions. While the term Professor is more universally recognized and understood, the title Reader, with its specific connotations and implications, reflects a distinct level of academic achievement and responsibility within the educational hierarchy.
Comparison Chart
Rank
Higher academic rank.
Below a Professor but above a Senior Lecturer.
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Responsibilities
Overarching responsibilities in academia.
More focused on research and teaching.
Recognition
Universally recognized title.
Primarily recognized in the UK and Commonwealth countries.
Requirement
Usually requires a Ph.D. or equivalent.
Requires significant academic contributions.
Role
Often leads departments and sets academic directions.
Balances teaching, research, and sometimes administrative roles.
Compare with Definitions
Professor
Universally recognized and respected academic title.
The professor’s reputation preceded him, attracting students from various regions.
Reader
An academic rank, primarily in UK universities, below Professor and above Senior Lecturer.
The reader has a strong record of published research in evolutionary biology.
Professor
Often holds a doctoral degree or equivalent.
The professor utilized his extensive knowledge to mentor Ph.D. candidates.
Reader
Not as universally recognized as the title of Professor but denotes high academic standing.
Although the title of reader is less known internationally, it represents substantial academic achievement.
Professor
May head academic departments and guide research directions.
As the department head, the professor shaped the curriculum to reflect current trends in the field.
Reader
A person who regularly reads certain material
A reader of crime novels.
Professor
A high-ranking academic teacher and researcher at a university.
The professor presented groundbreaking research at the conference.
Reader
See lay reader.
Professor
Contributes significantly to academic literature in their field.
The professor’s publications have influenced several areas of study.
Reader
A person employed by a publisher to read and evaluate manuscripts.
Professor
Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) 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".
Reader
One who corrects printers' proofs; a proofreader.
Professor
A college or university teacher who ranks above an associate professor.
Reader
A teaching assistant who reads and grades examination papers.
Professor
A teacher or instructor.
Reader
Chiefly British A university teacher, especially one ranking next below a professor.
Professor
One who professes.
Reader
A textbook of reading exercises.
Professor
The most senior rank for an academic at a university or similar institution, informally also known as "full professor."
Reader
An anthology, especially a literary anthology.
Professor
A teacher or faculty member at a college or university regardless of formal rank.
Reader
Any of various devices that read or retrieve data from a storage device or credit card.
Professor
(archaic) One who professes something, such as a religious doctrine.
Reader
See e-reader.
Professor
A pianist in a saloon, brothel, etc.
Reader
Readers Glasses that are used primarily for reading.
Professor
The puppeteer who performs a Punch and Judy show; a Punchman.
Reader
A person who reads.
An early reader, a talented reader
Professor
One who professed, or makes open declaration of, his sentiments or opinions; especially, one who makes a public avowal of his belief in the Scriptures and his faith in Christ, and thus unites himself to the visible church.
Reader
A person who reads a publication.
10,000 weekly readers
Professor
One who professed, or publicly teaches, any science or branch of learning; especially, an officer in a university, college, or other seminary, whose business it is to read lectures, or instruct students, in a particular branch of learning; as a professor of theology, of botany, of mathematics, or of political economy.
Reader
A person who recites literary works, usually to an audience.
Professor
Someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
Reader
A proofreader.
Reader
A person employed by a publisher to read works submitted for publication and determine their merits.
Reader
A position attached to aristocracy, or to the wealthy, with the task of reading aloud, often in a foreign language.
Reader
A university lecturer ranking below a professor.
Reader
Any device that reads something.
A card reader, a microfilm reader
Reader
A book of exercises to accompany a textbook.
Reader
An elementary textbook for those learning to read, especially for foreign languages.
Appletons’ School Readers
Reader
A literary anthology.
Reader
A lay or minor cleric who reads lessons in a church service.
Reader
(advertising) A newspaper advertisement designed to look like a news article rather than a commercial solicitation.
Reading notice
Reader
(in the plural) Reading glasses.
Reader
Marked playing cards used by cheaters.
Reader
One who reads.
Reader
One who reads much; one who is studious.
Reader
A book containing a selection of extracts for exercises in reading; an elementary book for practice in a language; a reading book.
Reader
A person who enjoys reading
Reader
Someone who contracts to receive and pay for a certain number of issues of a publication
Reader
A person who can read; a literate person
Reader
Someone who reads manuscripts and judges their suitability for publication
Reader
Someone who reads proof in order to find errors and mark corrections
Reader
Someone who reads the lessons in a church service; someone ordained in a minor order of the Roman Catholic Church
Reader
A public lecturer at certain universities
Reader
One of a series of texts for students learning to read
Reader
Typically involved in research, teaching, and sometimes administrative duties.
Balancing various roles, the reader still found time to mentor students.
Reader
Requires significant academic contributions and recognition.
The reader was promoted due to her extensive research and academic contributions.
Reader
Denotes expertise and scholarly contributions in a specific discipline.
The reader’s expertise in molecular biology has had a profound impact on the field.
Common Curiosities
Is the title of Reader recognized internationally?
The title Reader is primarily recognized in the UK and some Commonwealth countries and is not as universally recognized as the title of Professor.
Is the title of Professor higher than Reader?
Yes, the title of Professor is generally considered higher than that of a Reader, indicating more seniority and responsibility.
Can a Reader be involved in administrative duties?
Yes, besides teaching and research, a Reader can also have administrative responsibilities within their academic department.
Does a Professor always have a Ph.D. or equivalent?
Typically, yes, most professors hold a doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification in their field of expertise.
Is the role of a Professor primarily focused on research?
Professors are typically involved in both teaching and research, but the extent of their involvement in each can vary depending on their role and institution.
Is a Professor always a department head?
No, while some professors may head departments, not all do; it depends on the university’s structure and individual appointments.
Can a Reader head an academic department?
It’s possible, depending on the institution's structure and policies, but department heads are typically Professors.
Can someone become a Reader without significant publications?
Generally, no, achieving the rank of Reader usually requires substantial academic contributions, including significant publications.
Does a Reader always teach?
In most cases, yes, a Reader is usually involved in both teaching and research, although the balance between these roles can vary.
Is a Reader's role more focused compared to a Professor's?
A Reader often has a more focused role, primarily involving research and teaching, whereas a Professor might have more overarching responsibilities, including departmental leadership.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
