Emeritus Professors / Award of Honorary Titles

The title of Honorary Distinguished Professor is the highest honorary academic position at the University.

Honorary Distinguished Professors are appointed by Human Resources Committee on the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor.

The awards are made to distinguished individuals, of professorial standing, or to a person who has obtained clearly recognised and verifiable national and/or international eminence and leadership in their field of expertise or profession, to associate them with the University.

Honorary Distinguished Professors may access University facilities and IT, subject to normal policies and procedures. There is no remuneration is attached to the post, although expenses are allowable subject to the University’s normal expenses policy.

The term of the appointment is normally five years which may be renewed by Human Resources Committee on the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor

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 will be awarded on recommendation of the Dean to Human Resources Committee.

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 The title will be awarded on recommendation of the Dean to Human Resources Committee.

In making the recommendation, Deans should document their reasons for the award and obtain a CV from individuals. These do not need to be shared with HRC. There should be clarity about the descriptor for the role, determined by the Dean: for Visiting Professor or Fellow titles, a full title of Visiting (insert title and area of specialism) should be agreed. Any payments to individuals should be managed outwith this process through normal arrangements. Deans should ensure that appropriate due diligence is carried out on any appointments, including but not limited to Export Control arrangements.

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

Any retiring professor is assumed to become an Emeritus Professor.

Individuals can be prevented (or removed) from becoming an Emeritus Professor by the Chair of Human Resources Committee, usually on the advice of a Dean.

Any financial payments for ongoing work should be negotiated separately.

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

1. It is recognised that, increasingly, collaboration with colleagues working in a clinical environment is beneficial to individual academics and to the University as a whole and it is therefore necessary to formalise these important relationships.
2. Honorary Clinical appointments should be reserved only for individuals in associated NHS Trusts, Private Healthcare Providers and General Practices who are closely linked to a School within the University. They can be awarded at various levels of seniority as follows:

1. Honorary Clinical appointments may be conferred on individuals working in a clinical setting, working with clinical populations in accordance with the following procedure.
2. The Dean of the School should prepare a case including a curriculum vitae, details of the involvement the candidate will have with the School, and an explanation of how they meet the criteria above. The case should also include details of 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 Operations Committee.
3. Proposals should then be directed to the relevant HR Partner, who will then submit applications to the Vice Chancellor for approval on behalf of Senate and Council.  
4. Appointments would be for an initial maximum period of five years and would be renewable. A contract will be issued to the individual setting out the details of the association and clarify their responsibilities regarding insurance/personal indemnity.