There are two main pathways at Queen’s: Research and Education, and Education only, both of which are of equal value. In recognition of this, a Reader equivalent has been created for the Education only pathway.

The new Academic Progression process, which integrates Confirmation in Post, Academic Promotion and Professorial Salary Review into a single annual process, is the means by academic career progression is achieved at Queen's.

Academic Progression is also clearly linked to Personal Development Review (PDR) by building on the career and development conversations between Reviewer and Reviewee and ensuring the appropriate feedback and support is provided to enable employees to take ownership of their own development and progression.

The new Academic Profiles, which can be accessed in 'Univeristy Documents' via Queen's Online, have been developed in consultation with staff and set out the key areas of academic activity (Research/Scholarship, Teaching and Learning and Citizenship), and the criteria which defines the standards expected at each level of the relevant academic career pathway. Performance against the criteria in the Profiles will be evaluated holistically, with overall contributions across and within the three domains being taken into account. In order to progress staff are expected to meet the Profile for their current grade and demonstrate readiness to progress to the next grade.

Academic Probation

Academic Probation is now a stand-alone process, with Schools meeting two to three times throughout the year to review probationer’s progress. For those on academic probation, the review meeting will align more closely to the anniversary of your probation start date.

Academic Progression

• PDR Summary Reports are removed from the process but feedback will be given by your PDR Reviewer to the Head of School to relay at the Academic Progression Committee
• Committees will review contribution and trajectory since last progression or date of appointment (whichever is most recent), however the full Academic CV (from date of appointment) will be available for additional context
• The Cover Letter shall be no more than 2 pages
• Cover Letter appendices will be capped to:
  • 2 appendices (1 page for each appendix) for those on the Research and Education pathway
  • 4 appendices (1 page for each appendix) for those on the Education only pathway
• It is expected that at least a 2 year period is required to evidence sufficient contribution to merit progression to a new Professorial range

The timeline for Academic Progression is included below. Applications for progression are due for submission in January each year. Applications will then be considered by the relevant Academic Progression Committee and the outcomes shared with staff after each Committee meets. The salary award will be implemented from 1 August annually. Probationary staff will be confirmed in post with effect from a date after all School Academic Progression Committee has made their decision. 

9 December 2019

• Queen’s Online (QOL) open for applications

9 December 2019 – 31 January 2020

• Faculty Academic Progression Information Sessions
• During this transition year, those Probationers who wish to be considered for Confirmation in Post should upload their Cover Letter and Academic CV to QOL (QOL > Other > Academic Progression)
• Academics wishing to progress (to Senior Lecturer, Reader, or Professor (Ranges 1 – 4), including Professorial increment progression, upload their Cover Letter and Academic CV to QOL (QOL > Other > Academic Progression)
• PDR Reviewer Summary Report sent to Head of School
• Peer Review of Teaching Report (Probationer's only) send to Head of School

31 January 2020

• Application process closes on Queen’s Online at 4.00 pm

Mid-February 2020 – mid-March 2020

• School Academic Progression Committee meet

April 2020

• Confirmation in Post effective from 1 April 2020*
• Faculty Academic Progression Committee meet

May 2020

• Central Academic Progression Committee meet

 June 2020

• Central Academic Progression Appeal Panel meet

1 August 2020

• Effective date of progression to Senior Lecturer, Reader or Professor (including Professorial incremental progression)

*if probation period end date is before 1 April 2020, the Confirmation in Post date will be backdated accordingly.

Where applicants have been unsuccessful in progressing to the grade/range they have applied for they have the right to appeal the outcome to the Central Appeal Panel. Where an applicant wishes to appeal the outcome of an Academic Progression Committee, believing that a procedural defect exists or can offer some other substantive reason, they should set out in writing the grounds of their appeal. For example, if they feel certain information in their original submission has not been considered fully they may wish to highlight this and provide further context in an appeal letter.

Applicants will receive feedback to help them understand the rationale behind the decision and can also request the minutes from the Committee meeting from People and Culture.

The appeal letter should be no longer than two pages (with no additional appendices allowed) and should highlight the areas in the original submission that the appellant feels were not given due consideration. Information not provided in the original submission will not be considered.

Appeal letters should be submitted to academic.progression@qub.ac.uk, marked for the attention of the Interim HR Director, Mr Alistair Finlay, within twenty working days from the date of their outcome letter.

The original submission does not need to be resubmitted as this, and the relevant Committee minutes, will be made available to the Appeal Panel via QOL.

The decision of the Central Academic Progression Appeal Panel is final and will be communicated in writing to the applicant within ten working days of the meeting.