College of Science & Engineering

Honorary Status Roles & Responsibilities

Honorary status is awarded to individuals to honour and recognise their valuable contribution to the College through their involvement in activities such as research, teaching and providing advice and consultation. 

Awards are usually made for an initial period of three years or shorter period of time relevant to the individual’s activities in the School.  There is the possibility of renewal where the College would value their continued contribution. 

Honorary Fellows

Awarded to recognise an individual’s significant contribution to leading or carrying out research on behalf of the University, contributing to research in collaboration with University employees and supervising PhD students.

Honorary Lecturer

Awarded to individuals who have the skills and experience equivalent to those of employees appointed to a Lecturer post and will undertake teaching within the University.

Honorary Professor

Awarded to individuals of high distinction who either hold or have held a Directorship or lead or have led major research in other organisations. Honorary Professors are not established or personal chairs however holders are entitled to the courtesy title of Honorary Professor and will be available for consultation with University colleagues.

Visiting Professor

Awarded to individuals who hold or have held a Chair in their own academic institution and will make a significant contribution to teaching or research.

Honorary Professorial Fellow

Awarded to former University Professors who will still contribute to teaching and research.

Emeritus Professor

Awarded to retiring University Professors who have made a distinguished contribution to the life of the University.  Nominations are made via the Head of College and approved by Senate.

Where an individual has been awarded Emeritus Professor status and is subsequently awarded Honorary status, their Emeritus status will be held in abeyance until the end of the Honorary appointment

Honorary status cannot be awarded to University employees.

University policy for the award of honorary status (pdf)

Information for Honorary status holders

The College is very grateful for the valuable contribution holders of honorary status can make to teaching, research, providing advice and consultation and the external reputation of the College. Holders of Honorary status will agree their involvement with the Head of School and will be provided with appropriate resources in order fulfil their role. Where a contract of employment is accepted honorary status will cease but may be awarded again once employment ends. Honorary status holders are expected to comply with University policies.

University regulations

Any information held by honorary status holders pertaining to the work carried out for the University is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998 and Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, information and guidance specifically for holders of an Honorary position is available at the Records Management website.

Guidance on records management website for honorary status holders 

Where holders of honorary status are using University systems and services, such as computing and Library services, University policies and regulations will apply, further information can be found at the Information Services website.

Computing regulations

Library regulations