Note that for associate professors, the procedure only covers Normal Movement within their pay range. Becoming a professor is subject to Promotion up to Professor and is a choice when ready to apply.
All movement is based on demonstrating increasing levels of achievement and excellence as determined by the range and set out in the appropriate Academic Promotions Framework (APF). The version for Promotion up to Professor includes examples of activity expected for associate professors and Range 1 professors - Academic Promotions Framework (PDF, 318kB).
The version for Grade M Movement includes examples of activity expected for Range 2 and Range 3 professors - Academic Promotions Framework for Grade M Movement (PDF, 279kB). The Grade M APF also includes requirements for movement to Range 2 and Range 3. Requirements for movement within a range are included in Section 5 below.
Note that associate professors and Range 1 professors subject to Normal Movement (one increment move every two years) do not submit a case form or CV. Please refer to Section 3 for more details. However, if their Head of School has any concerns about their performance, the Head of School must complete a case form. Please refer to Section 6 for more details.
There is one annual round for Associate Professor and Grade M Movement in each academic year. It starts in January with outcomes ready for June to ensure they take effect from 1 August. Please refer to the timetable in Appendix A for further details.
The process is supported by regular dialogue between associate professors / professors and their managers (see Section 4) before preparing a case and applying (see Section 5). The Head of School will then consider the case and add their comments before the final case review by the Dean and Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) (see Section 6).
The procedure covers:
The process is the same for each Academic career pathway diagram (PDF, 89kB) and enables movement within the ranges and between the professorial ranges.
For those newly appointed or promoted as associate professors or Range 1 professors, the expectation is that they will start on the first pay point of their respective range (each range includes three pay points) and movement thereafter will typically be at two-yearly intervals. It is described as Normal Movement, which means that there is no limit to the numbers that can move. While no written case or CV for movement is needed by the associate professor or Range 1 professor, it does depend on continued achievement and can be withheld by the Head of School completing their part of the case-form to raise any concerns before a final decision by the Dean and Head of HR Business Partnering (see Section 6 for more details). It is expected that after six years on these pay ranges most associate professors and Range 1 professors would be ready for promotion to professor or movement to Range 2 respectively, although that isn’t a requirement.
Movement within Ranges 2 and 3 is typically one increment point, but can be more for exceptionally strong cases. Please note that there are a limited number of increments available, which is also the case for Accelerated Movement in Range 1. This has been set and agreed based on an overall cost constraint. Note also that the shaded increment points on Range 1 and 2 are restricted and not used as part of the Grade M Movement process.
Movement between professorial ranges is from Range 1 to Range 2 and from Range 2 to Range 3. There is no limit to the number of people that can make these moves.
The process is supported by regular dialogue between associate professors / professors and their line managers or anyone that is supporting their career and development, e.g. as part of their Development Review. It is intended to be an ongoing formative process, with the relevant APF setting the standard for movement and providing a resource to help determine whether there are any development or opportunity gaps well ahead of making an application or receiving an increment for associate or Range 1 professors.
It is especially important for Heads of School to have regular discussions regarding career development and movement with all associate or Range 1 professors so that they can move up one increment point every two years. While no application (case form or CV) is required from the candidate, movement can be withheld by their Head of School completing their section of the case form (see Section 6 for details).
For some professors on Range 1 that are developing more rapidly, there is the opportunity for Accelerated Movement within Range 1 or to Range 2.
In all cases, regular dialogue with the Head of School is essential.
Before the formal launch in late January, Human Resources will communicate with all Deans and Heads of School to support a review of their associate professors and professors, which includes referring to their salary movement history. Human Resources will then initiate the formal launch of the procedure by communicating with all associate professors and professors.
In addition to reviewing their associate and Range 1 professors who are eligible for Normal Movement, Heads of School will also inform all of them whether an increment is due in the coming round or the next. If necessary, they will use the case-form to raise any concerns that could lead to the increment being withheld as described in Section 6. They will also inform those who have been on Range 1 for six years, and who additionally are on increment point 3 (or higher) on or before the coming August, that they may submit a case for Movement to Range 2.
Professors wanting to make an application for movement must submit a case using the case-form - Case form for Associate Professor and Grade M Movement (Office document, 65kB), along with an up-to-date CV, to their Head of School by the deadline and in the required format. Please refer to Appendix B for an outline of the case-form and Appendix C for the required CV format.
The form asks candidates to select which type of movement they are requesting, which could include both movement within a range and movement to a higher range. Note that Normal Movement for associate and range 1 professors does not require candidates to make a case.
For any movement within a range whether it is based on a written case by the candidate or a review by the Head of School (for Normal Movement), there needs to be evidence of continued and increasing achievement of the range expectations as determined by your academic pathway, any particular requirements of the role and the relevant APF:
For movement between the ranges, the expectations are laid out in the Grade M APF - Academic Promotions Framework for Grade M Movement (PDF, 279kB).
In all cases, please also refer to your School Context Report for any local expectations.
The case-form also includes space for any individual circumstances that should be considered with the case. Note that professors can also be recommended by their Head of School using the same form. Finally, please note that all information will be treated with an appropriate level of confidentiality in accordance with data-protection legislation.
On receiving the applications, Heads of School will consider cases for movement, which will include consulting as appropriate with senior professorial staff within the school. The Head of School must then complete the appropriate section of the case-form by the deadline, providing their comments on the strength of the case. They will also rank all cases (excluding Normal Movement) before submission to the Dean.
Heads of School will also consider the performance of all their associate professors and Range 1 professors that are due a normal increment (Normal Movement). As with any written applications, they can consult as appropriate with others in the school. Only if they consider that any are not demonstrating the increasing levels of achievement and excellence as determined by the range and set out in the appropriate APF, must they also complete their section of the case-form by the deadline, sharing their concerns about the case.
Once all cases (including any from Heads of School raising concerns about Normal Movement) have been submitted, the Dean and Head of HR Business Partnering will convene a meeting to review them with all Heads of School in the faculty. It is to ensure consistency and equity, and so will also include data on the distribution of associate professors and professors throughout the ranges (by gender and ethnicity) and will include any additional pay allowances.
Following this review, the Dean and Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor will review cases and decide on the final outcomes, including any recommendations for professorial Heads of School and any other cases that should be considered. The appropriate EDI committee will monitor any diversity and inclusion statistics, e.g. success rates by gender and ethnicity. The Remuneration Committee monitors the outcomes.
Where there is a concern by a Head of School and/or Dean for Normal Movement for any associate professors or Range 1 professors, i.e. the recommendation is for no movement, this will also be discussed as part of the final review of cases and a final decision reached.
The overall approach follows the University inclusive decision-making guidance.
Once the cases have been agreed, Human Resources will write to all applicants to confirm the outcome. They will also write to any associate or Range 1 professor whose increment is being withheld. For those cases that are successful, their salary will be increased to the new increment point effective from 1 August (or the anniversary of their start date for those appointed to Range 1).
Alongside the formal confirmation process, feedback will also be provided. For associate professors and Range 1 professors where it has been agreed that no movement will occur, the Dean and/or their Head of School will meet with them. They will discuss career progression and what might be needed to ensure movement in the following year. Human Resources will be advised of the outcome of that discussion. The same applies for a Range 1 professor who is unsuccessful in moving to Range 2, which will be to discuss their career and ongoing development.
In general, feedback discussions can be requested by all those that applied and will be provided by the most appropriate person.
There is one annual round with the following approximate timings depending on the launch date:
Actual dates will vary each year and will be confirmed in the launch communications.
There are three sections to the case-form - Case form for Associate Professor and Grade M Movement (Office document, 65kB):
A. Application by the candidate (or exceptionally by the Head of School):
(Not required for associate or Range 1 professors that are subject to Normal Movement, although if Heads of School have any concerns they should include the name of the candidate and the Normal Movement that could be withheld.)
B. Comments from the Head of School:
C. Decision by the Dean and Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor:
Note that this has not changed.
The CV should be as concise as possible, focussing on activity and achievements since appointment/ promotion to Professor/ Associate Professor at the University of Bristol and on activity and achievements during previous Professorial appointments (if any). The CV must include the following:
PERSONAL INFORMATION – This should include full name, address and any other personal details that you feel are appropriate.
PRESENT APPOINTMENT – This should set out your formal title, together with the date on which you were appointed to this position.
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS – Set out the details of all previous appointments (title, employer, dates) in order, with the most recent appointment first.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS – List in date order all degrees, diplomas, certificates and professional qualifications, with dates and name of the awarding body, with the most recent qualification first. The titles of theses forming part of a qualification should be given in this section.
SPECIAL AWARDS, HONOURS AND DISTINCTIONS – This section should include honorary awards and special membership of learned bodies.
RESEARCH – Please provide a summary of your major achievements in this area and explaining their importance and significance (not exceeding one page of A4 in 12 point type). The rest of the section should be descriptive and summarise your research output. You should set out your activities in the following order:
TEACHING (and related administration) – Please provide a summary of your major achievements in this area and explaining their importance and significance (not exceeding 1 page of A4 in 12 point type). The rest of the section should be descriptive and summarise your contribution in the following areas:
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP & CITIZENSHIP – This section should start with a single paragraph summarising the major achievements in these areas and explaining their importance and significance. You should list your activities in the following order (though not all will be appropriate in every case):
1 From 1 August 2019, we began to use the title Associate Professor in place of Reader in all new adverts, appointments and promotions. Existing Readers could choose to use the new title if they wished.
2 The new pay range for associate professors was introduced on 1 August 2021.
This policy was last reviewed and updated: Jan 2024
