Academic ranks in the United Kingdom

A personal chair is awarded specifically to an individual in recognition of their high levels of achievements and standing in their particular area or discipline.

In some countries, senior lecturers are generally paid the same as readers, but the latter title is awarded primarily for research excellence, and traditionally carries higher prestige.

[3] During the 1990s, however, the University of Oxford introduced Titles of Distinction, enabling their holders to be termed professors or readers while holding academic posts at the level of lecturer.

[5] As in the USA, the title of 'professor emeritus' may be awarded to a retired or former professor, who may well retain formal or informal links with the institution where the chair was formerly held.

[citation needed] Academic staff whose responsibilities encompass both research and teaching: However, it is becoming increasingly common for Russell Group universities to use some form of hybrid terminology: LSE has adopted the American terminology entirely,[8] while UCL has retained the role of lecturer, but replaced senior lecturer and reader with associate professor.