In the United Kingdom academic hierarchy, reader is the rank between senior lecturer (or principal lecturer in the New Universities) and professor. The title of Reader is given in recognition of research and scholarship.

In some systems Readers are parallel to senior lecturers (old universities) or principal lecturers (new universities): in these systems promotions to reader are made on the basis primarily of research merit while promotions to senior/principal lecturer are made on the basis of teaching ability.

Education, training, and library occupations | Academia