Adjunct professor是什麼意思

"Adjunct professor" is a term used in academia to describe a type of faculty appointment, typically at a college or university. Adjunct professors are part-time or contingent faculty members who are hired to teach on a course-by-course basis. They may also be referred to as "adjunct faculty," "contingent faculty," or "part-time faculty."

Adjunct professors are often professionals in their field who teach classes in addition to their regular job. They may be practitioners, researchers, or consultants who bring real-world experience into the classroom. Adjuncts are often hired in fields where subject-matter expertise is highly valued, such as business, law, healthcare, and technology.

Unlike full-time faculty members, adjunct professors typically do not have the same benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, or job security. They are often paid per course and may not have access to the same resources or support as full-time faculty.

Despite these differences, adjunct professors play a vital role in higher education, providing students with diverse perspectives and real-world experience. They may also contribute to the institution's research and service activities, depending on the terms of their appointment.