When to apply
For promotion to Reader: Heads of Department (Dean for School of Management) will invite submissions for promotion from eligible staff normally twice a year. Cases put forward by the Department are considered by Academic Staff Committee (ASC) in November and May.
For translation to Reader: this can happen at any time of the year and be considered at any ASC meeting.
The application process is the same for both routes.
How to apply
Candidates for promotion or translation to Reader are expected to demonstrate:
evidence of sustained performance in Research and Scholarship, and
significant evidence of three or more of the criteria in Research and Scholarship at an outstanding level
Contributions to Teaching and/or Management and Leadership should be provided as context for the case. In exceptional cases, applications which are almost wholly on the basis of research will be considered.
If you believe you meet the criteria, please complete the application form (link at the bottom of the page) and submit this − along with the supporting documentation − to your Head of Department (Dean for School of Management).
Please ensure the Pure Research Activity Report is used to populate the 'Research' section of your application form.
What happens next
If your Head of Department (Dean for School of Management) supports your application, they will complete the Head of Department/Division promotion application assessment form and submit your application form to Human Resources along with:
the Head of Department/Division promotion application assessment form
a supporting statement from another senior member of the Department/Division
the names and details of at least four independent referees as recommended by the Head of Department/Division (included within the application assessment form). The suggested referees should not be from the University of Bath and should normally be full professors, or of professorial standing
HR will contact the referees by sending your full application and the criteria to request an opinion on your performance.
Once Human Resources have received all the references, they will provide the complete case and Head of Department/Division promotion application assessment form to the Dean for their comment.
Considering your case
Your Head of Department (Dean for School of Management) will present your case for promotion to ASC and answer questions about your application. ASC will decide whether to:
confirm the promotion
decline the promotion
interview you before making a decision
Your Head of Department (Dean for School of Management) will be notified of the outcome immediately after the ASC meeting and they will let you know the decision. You will be formally notified of the outcome usually within two weeks of the ASC meeting.
Promotion will take effect from the 1st of the month following the ASC meeting. For more information on starting salaries for successful promotions and translations, please refer to the University guidance.
If a case for promotion is not supported either by the Department or by ASC, your Head of Department/Division will arrange for a Personal Action Plan to be developed.
This page provides a summary only and should be read in conjunction with the Career Progression in the Education and Research Job Family: principles and framework document.
Deadlines for completed applications
Find out more about the deadlines for submitting your completed application to HR and when it will be considered by ASC.
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.