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Academic Career Pathways (Research and Teaching)

Assistant Professors and Associate Professors at Grade 9 wishing to apply for progression/promotion to Grade 10 should use the ACP R&T Progression/Promotion Scheme A. 

The ACP R&T Pay Progression Scheme B is for Associate Professors who are already at Grade 10 and wishing to progress to the higher salary spine points in recognition for significant and sustained contributions other than through research.  The assessment of contribution by the Associate Professor (G10) should clearly relate to the institution’s strategic plans and recognise the Associate Professor’s achievements in teaching and service to the academic community that is likely to contribute to the future academic success of the University. 

It should be noted that Scheme B will not apply to clinical academics who will remain on their current clinical award scheme and subject to NHS consultant salary progression pay rules. 

Contribution increments may be awarded to applicants who can show outstanding and sustained excellence in teaching, and outstanding and sustained service and contributions to the University and the academic community beyond the University. The Head of Institution will be asked for a supporting statement and evidence to demonstrate how the applicant meets the criteria. 

Applicants are responsible for preparing and submitting their application to the Secretary of the FC for the institution to which their office or post is assigned by the deadline date specified in the Timetable for that year’s scheme.  Applicants should complete the relevant documentation providing evidence for their sustained excellence in teaching, and sustained general and/or administrative contributions and service in support of their institution’s academic priorities.  Applicants should provide examples and evidence in their application of any contribution they feel would support their case for progression. 

Most successful proposals for Scheme B will result in the award of one contribution increment; exceptional cases would need to be made for the award of two increments (up to point 63).  If a candidate is successful, this level of contribution then becomes the normal expectation for that Associate Professor and the same evidence will not attract additional contribution rewards in future.  It would not normally be expected that an application for increments from the same Associate Professor Grade 10 candidate is made in two successive exercises.  However, if one increment has been awarded in a previous exercise, an application can be made for an additional increment in a subsequent exercise.

Applicants cannot apply for both promotion via Scheme A and for pay progression via Scheme B in the same exercise.

Procedure

Potential applicants are expected to seek advice from their Head of Institution before deciding whether to apply.  Heads of Institution, with the assistance of appropriate senior colleagues if necessary, should ensure they review the contributions of each of their eligible Associate Professors (Grade 10), so that all cases that meet the criteria are brought forward for consideration.  The decision on whether to submit an application will ultimately sit with the individual; however, Heads of Institution should encourage applications from individuals that meet the criteria and discuss any perceived barriers that may be preventing an individual from applying.  This ensures any Contextual Factors or COVID-related impacts that may have been overlooked are considered and promotes equal opportunities for all staff members, including those staff from groups that are underrepresented at senior levels. 

The Staff Review and Development (SRD) scheme, whilst remaining a separate and independent mechanism for reviewing personal contribution, should be used to discuss career aspirations and assess an individual’s readiness for progression.  It is essential that these types of discussions are taking place on a regular and ongoing basis throughout the course of an individual’s career. 

Heads of Institutions are expected to undertake annual performance appraisals with staff as part of the SRD scheme, and it is recommended that the appraisal undertaken in the last 12 months is used to support an individual’s application.

Applications follow the same process and timetable as applications under the ACP R&T scheme and each application for Scheme B will progress through the same Committee stages.  The Chair of the FC, supported by the Secretary, and seeking the advice from the members of Committee by circulation as appropriate, will decide in each case who should provide the Institutional Statement and the name of an internal referee. References will be sought following the closure of the application window in time for consideration by the FC.

The FC will consider the documentation for each application for Scheme B and agree collectively the evaluation for each applicant, documenting in each case whether the application is supported and the reasons for this decision.  The Committee will then rank the applicants according to the strength of their applications.  Applications will then follow the same process as those for the ACP R&T scheme i.e. progressing through the School Committee (SC) and Vice-Chancellor’s Committee (VCC).

Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application in line with the ACP R&T exercise and unsuccessful applicants may request feedback on their application from their Head of Institution.  There is no right of appeal against the outcome. 

References

A summary of the required number of reference for this scheme is set out below:

 

Application Applicant Nominates Faculty Committee Nominates Total Referees
Associate Professor (Pay Progression Scheme B) 1 internal referee* FC confirms referee nomination 1
 

*Note, the internal referee is in addition to the statement provided by the Head of Institution.

 

Scheme Summary

For clarity, a summary of both schemes relating to Associate Professors is provided below
 

 

Progression/Promotion Scheme A

For Assistant Professors and Associate Professors at Grade 9 to progress to Associate Professor Grade 10.

Pay Progression Scheme B

For contribution progression increments to be awarded to Associate Professors at the top of Grade 10 for significant and sustained contributions other than through research.

 

Principles The assessment of contribution made by the Assistant/Associate Professor (Grade 9) will be based on the evidence provided that supports achievement of the Assessment Criteria for an Associate Professor Grade 10.  The assessment of contribution by the Associate Professor should be clearly related to the institution’s strategic plans and should recognise the Associate Professor’s achievement in teaching and general service to the community which is likely to contribute to the future academic success of the University.
Eligibility An  Assistant/Associate Professor Grade 9 would normally be expected to have been in post for at least 12 months before they are eligible to apply for progression to Grade 10.  Exceptionally, this period may be waived where the officer is considered ready for promotion by the Head of Institute.  Any exceptions will require approval from the Faculty Committee, and support from the School Committee. Only Associate Professors who are paid at the top of the service points (Grade 10, point 61) are eligible for consideration.  For holders of unestablished posts whose contract of employment specify the title ‘Associate Professor at Grade 10, the same eligibility criteria apply. In all cases, institutions should ensure that sufficient funding is identified to support applications for progression and ongoing salary costs.  Queries concerned with funding should be raised with the relevant School Finance Manager in the first instance.
Criteria

Progression to Grade 10 will be approved for those applicants who can demonstrate achievement of the Assessment Criteria for an Associate Professor at Grade 10.

 

Contribution increments may be awarded to applicants who meet the following criteria:

  • Outstanding and sustained excellence in teaching, and
  • Outstanding and sustained service and contributions to the University and the academic community beyond the University.

Evidence that they meet the above criteria should be provided, with reference to the Teaching and Researcher Development and Service to the University and the Academic Community criteria for Associate Professor (Grade 10).

The Head of Institution is expected to comment and provide evidence in their statement of how the applicant has achieved these criteria.  Most successful proposals will result in the award of one contribution increment. Exceptional cases would need to be made for the award of two increments (up to point 63).

Contribution Reward Successful applicants under the progression scheme from Grade 9 to Grade 10 will be placed on the first scale point of Grade 10 (point 59).             If a candidate is successful, this level of contribution then becomes the normal expectation for that Associate Professor (Grade 10).  Therefore, the same evidence will not attract additional contribution rewards in future.  It would not normally be expected that an application for increments from the same Associate Professor (Grade 10) candidate is made in two successive exercises; however, if one increment has been awarded in a previous exercise, an application can be made for an additional increment in a subsequent exercise.