Fellow
A Fellow is a senior member of a Cambridge College, usually an academic, who belongs to its governing body and has dining and other rights in College. Collectively the Fellows are "the Fellowship", and together with the head of house they govern the College as a self-governing community.
In practice
Most Fellows also hold posts in University departments, and many teach their College's students in supervisions or act as Directors of Studies or Tutors. Colleges also elect Research Fellows - often called Junior Research Fellows - early-career researchers given a few years to pursue their own work, which is one of the most competitive positions in British academia. Some Colleges elect professionals from outside academia as Fellow Commoners or Bye-Fellows. Fellows dine at High Table and meet in the Senior Combination Room.
Why it matters to newcomers
If you join a College as a visiting academic, you may be given dining rights rather than a Fellowship; it helps to know the difference. "She is a Fellow of Trinity" tells you about College membership, not a job title in a department.
Related
- Master - the head of the Fellowship
- College - the institution Fellows govern
- MCR and JCR - the student counterparts of the Fellows' room
- Supervision - the teaching many Fellows give
Source: University of Cambridge.