Update on the new Academic Career Progression Framework (February 2026)
An update on the plans to introduce the new Academic Career Progression system, as per the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s email of 10th December 2025. The change was approved by Council in November, and we are working with colleagues across the University to make it ready for use at the beginning of the 2026-27 academic year. The current promotion criteria and process via Academic Staff Committee will continue to be the route for the May, June and November rounds this year, with the new system also running in November.
- The new system has been designed with a broad, modern and future-facing view of academic work so that high quality contributions can be recognised across a more diverse range of career paths in support of the University’s mission.
- The process will be greatly simplified and streamlined, with more decisions taken at Faculty level, while building in cross-University assurance of fairness and consistency.
- The current academic probation will be replaced with a shorter period of employment probation to align with changes in employment law, and a period of supported professional development to ensure that colleagues make the best possible start to their academic career in Bath.
What you need to do now:
- We recommend you bookmark the new Academic Career Progression Framework SharePoint site where you can find the approved new framework and promotion pathways, to begin familiarising yourself with the forthcoming changes. It will include information on timelines and processes as soon as they are available and in plenty of time to prepare applications for next year, supported by detailed guidance and training.
- Colleagues who are currently Lecturers on academic probation will be transitioned to the new system over the coming months and should continue to work towards their agreed objectives and development plans including the Probation Pathway to Fellowship programme. We will be in touch with all probationary Lecturers and their managers regarding the specifics of this transition.
We are confident that our new approach to progression will enhance many colleagues’ experience and success in an academic career at the University and look forward to bringing it into reality. For any queries, please contact acp-reform@bath.ac.uk
Overview
The various routes for academic promotion open to staff can be found in the Career Progression in the Education & Research job family framework document.
Three main categories are used when assessing applications for promotion:
Teaching
Research and Scholarship
Management and Leadership
The evidence required for each category depends on the promotion route you are applying for.
Promotion routes
Select a promotion route for further guidance and to apply:
When you should submit your application to HR and when it will be considered by Academic Staff Committee can be found on our deadlines for academic promotion page.
Guidance for Heads of Department
Read the guidance for Heads of Department on academic promotions.
Principles of research assessment and management
The University has developed a set of principles outlining our approach to research assessment and management, including the responsible use of quantitative indicators. The assessment of academic promotion cases by Academic Staff Committee and its related Sub Groups will be made in accordance with these principles.
HEA Fellowship
Academic Staff Committee recognise that HEA Fellowship is a formal, internationally-benchmarked professional award that requires the applicant to present evidence of their contribution to teaching and supporting learning in higher education. The particular status of Fellowship achieved (Associate Fellow (AFHEA), Fellow (FHEA), Senior Fellow (SFHEA) or Principal Fellow (PFHEA)) indicates the breadth and depth of this contribution as specified in the Professional Standards Framework (PSF) for teaching and supporting learning in higher education.
The University of Bath’s promotion criteria have been mapped to the PSF such that being an HEA Fellowship holder may be used as direct evidence for some of the teaching elements. Use the HEA Fellowship Mapping document to understand which criteria your Fellowship can provide sufficient direct evidence against.
Recent academic promotions
Find out about recent academic promotions.
Useful resources
This guide, related pages and the CPER document should be your first point of reference to understand more about the process, procedures and criteria for promotion. However, you might also find it helpful to refer to our academic promotion: useful information page to help answer questions you may have on individual topics.