ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Academic ranks (Australia and New Zealand)

In Australia and New Zealand, academic ranks are like different levels in a video game. Just like how you start off as a beginner in a game and work your way up to become more powerful and experienced, academics in universities also start off at beginner level and work their way up to become more respected and knowledgeable.

The lowest academic rank is usually a tutor or lecturer, and this is like when you start a new game and have very few skills and abilities. You need to learn a lot and gain experience before you can move up to the next level.

The next level is called a senior lecturer or associate professor. This is like when you have played the game for a while, gained more skills and knowledge, and are starting to really master the game.

The highest level is called a professor, and this is like when you have completed the game and are an expert in it. You have learned everything there is to know and have a lot of experience that you can pass on to others.

Academics are also given different titles depending on their level. For example, a tutor or lecturer might just be called "Mr" or "Ms", while a senior lecturer might be called "Dr", and a professor might be called "Professor".

So just like how you work hard and gain experience and skills to move up to higher levels in a game, academics work hard and gain knowledge and experience to move up to higher academic ranks.