An academic or professional who lectures or teaches at an academic institution that is not his permanent employer is known as a visiting lecturer. The visiting lecturer may simply lecture on a topic or several topics, or he may actually assume the role of a teacher at the school for a limited period of time, depending on his agreement with the school. A visiting lecturer is often someone who has achieved significant success in his field, but this is not always the case. Speakers and temporary staff are invited, hired, and compensated according to the policies of each college or university.
The term “lecturer” can refer to academics who take on temporary teaching positions at colleges and universities in the United States. These aren’t tenure-track positions, so academics who hold them aren’t guaranteed to stay on after their contract ends. In other countries, a lecturer is a university professor who has a more secure position and is working toward tenure. The term is also used in the more traditional sense of someone who speaks to an audience about a specific topic but does not instruct them. Many colleges and universities regularly invite academics and professionals to speak on a variety of topics for the benefit of both faculty and students, as well as inviting individuals to teach a course or courses during the school year.
During his visit to campus, a visiting lecturer who is only expected to speak on a few topics may give a series of lectures. Some of these talks may be limited to specific groups, such as faculty or graduate students, while others may be open to the entire campus or the general public. A stipend as well as housing may be provided to a visiting lecturer while on campus. In some cases, he may be compensated from an endowed fund established to bring notable speakers to the school.
The employment arrangements of an academic or professional who takes on a temporary teaching position can become more complicated. If the visiting lecturer is well-known, he may be given the opportunity to teach advanced courses in his field of expertise. Throughout the school year, he may be asked to give special lectures. His employment will typically be for a term or an entire school year because he will be teaching student courses. While on campus, he will have most academic privileges, such as access to the library, laboratories, faculty lounges, and parking.