Award of Honorary Titles

For individuals having an active academic association with the University, the award of an honorary title is available. As agreed by the Human Resources Committee, the current procedures for the award of such honorary titles are as follows:

1. Visiting Professor or Fellow

The title of Visiting Professor may be awarded to persons of eminence who are considered to be of equivalent calibre to full professors of the University, that is, who would be short-listed if applying for a chair in the specific area/department. The title may be awarded by the Vice-Chancellor and relevant Dean after consultation with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research).

The title of Visiting Fellow may be awarded to other persons considered to be of at least equivalent calibre to a lecturer, that is, who would be short-listed if applying for a lecturership in the specific area/department. The title may be awarded by the relevant Dean after consultation with the appropriate Pro-Vice-Chancellor. Retired non-professorial staff who maintain academic links with the University would be eligible for the title of Visiting Fellow.

In either circumstance, a Head of Department should prepare a case including a curriculum vitae, details of the involvement the candidate will have with the Department and any honorarium or office or other support facilities that are proposed. Expenditure in excess of 10% of the maximum of the Lecturer salary scale would require the prior approval of the Operations Sub-Committee.

Proposals should then be directed to the relevant HR Adviser, who will submit them for approval by the Vice-Chancellor (if appropriate) and a Dean, and the relevant Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

Awards would be for an initial maximum period of three years and would be renewable.

2. Honorary Professor or Honorary Fellow

The title of Honorary Professor or Honorary Fellow may be awarded to individuals to recognise exceptional service to the University over a number of years and where the title of Emeritus Professor is not available. Proposals should be made to the Academic Registrar for submission to Senate and Council.

It should be noted that, prior to December 2003, titles were available other than those in 1 and 2 above. These included Honorary Reader or Lecturer, Industrial Professor, External Professor, and Visiting Reader or Lecturer. Individuals currently holding such a title will retain them for the duration of their association with the University.

3. Emeritus Professor

This title may be conferred by Council under the provisions Ordinance XXV on persons who, at the time of their retirement, hold or have held appointments as Professors in the University. Emeritus Professors are Life Members of the University Court.

Following the candidate's retirement, the appropriate Dean should initiate discussions with the Head of Department concerning the conferment of the title. If it is agreed, the Dean should present a proposal to the Vice-Chancellor who will, if she concurs, submit the candidate's name to the Human Resources Committee for approval and recommendation to Senate and Council.

Further information on working beyond retirement age can be viewed at Retirement Age (working beyond normal retirement age)

All awards are reported to the Human Resources Committee, Senate and Council.

Council approved version effective from 8 July 2010.