What separates an adjunct professor from an instructor?

An adjunct professor and an instructor differ primarily in their roles and responsibilities within academic institutions. An adjunct professor typically holds a temporary or part-time position, often alongside other professional commitments outside of academia. They are usually hired to teach specific courses, bringing practical experience and expertise to the classroom, but may not have the same level of involvement in research or administrative duties as full-time faculty. In contrast, an instructor can refer to a broader range of teaching roles, including full-time faculty members who teach courses but may not hold professorial ranks. They could also include graduate student instructors or professionals teaching on a temporary basis without the title of adjunct professor. In summary, while both adjunct professors and instructors contribute to teaching within universities, adjunct professors typically have outside professional roles and may teach on a temporary basis, whereas instructors encompass a wider category that includes various teaching roles within academic settings.