Academic Promotions Framework – Phase 2 Consultation
Please provide feedback by Thursday 19 November by 2.00pm.
Liverpool Hope University is inviting academic colleagues to provide feedback on the proposed arrangements for academic promotion as part of Phase 2 of the Academic Promotions Framework review.
Following Phase 1, which established the academic pathways, role profiles and promotion criteria, Phase 2 considers how the academic promotions process would operate in practice.
The proposals include panel composition, application and assessment arrangements, evidence and output requirements, decision-making, feedback, appeals and career development support.
The purpose of this consultation is to gather views that will inform further consideration and refinement of the proposed framework, with the aim of developing a fair, transparent, consistent and proportionate approach to academic promotion.
Important – Status of the Consultation
This is a consultation on the proposed Academic Promotions Framework only. It is not an announcement of an academic promotions round, nor does it confirm that the promotions process will operate during the current academic year. No decision has been made regarding whether academic promotions will run during the current academic year, and no implementation or launch date has been agreed.
All aspects of the Phase 2 proposals remain open to consultation.
Phase 2 Consultation Documents
The following documents form part of the current Phase 2 consultation.
Promotions Phase 2 - Consultation Paper
This is the principal consultation document. It sets out the substantive proposals for the academic promotions process moving forward and identifies the areas on which feedback is being sought.
Colleagues are encouraged to read this document before submitting feedback.
Supporting Phase 2 Documents
The following working documents support the proposals relating to the Head of School developmental review:
Promotion - Head of School - Discussion Paper
Promotion - Head of Guidance
These documents illustrate how the proposed developmental review could operate in practice and outlines what the Head of Schools where asked to comment on. They are provided as working drafts and do not represent agreed arrangements.
The academic role profiles and promotion criteria were agreed during Phase 1 and are available under the Phase 1 Overview tab for context.
How to participate in the consultation and provide feedback
We welcome feedback from academic colleagues on the proposals. You can contribute through the online consultation survey, attend a staff consultation meeting or submit written feedback by email.
To contribute to Phase 2 of the Academic Promotions Framework review:
- Read the Promotions Phase 2 - Consultation Paper, which outlines the proposed arrangements.
- Review the supporting documents and, where helpful, the agreed Phase 1 role profiles and criteria.
- Consider which aspects of the proposals you would like to comment on, including any amendments or alternative approaches.
- Provide your feedback through the online survey, at a staff consultation meeting or by emailing promotions@hope.ac.uk.
Consultation deadline: Thursday 19 November by 2.00pm.
Online Consultation Survey
The survey enables colleagues to provide feedback on the proposed evidence and output requirements for specific academic pathways and promotion routes, as well as wider aspects of the proposed framework.
You may select as many or as few areas as you wish to comment on.
Complete the Phase 2 Consultation Survey
Staff Consultation Meetings
Two in-person staff consultation meetings have been arranged to provide an opportunity to discuss the proposals, ask questions and provide feedback.
| Date |
Time |
Location |
| Monday 2 November 2026 |
2.00–3.00 pm |
Hope Park – Eden005 |
| Monday 9 November 2026 |
9.00–10.00 am |
Creative Campus – COR114A (Grace Room 2) |
Feedback by Email
Alternatively, colleagues are welcome to submit written feedback to:
promotions@hope.ac.uk
When providing feedback, please identify which aspect of the proposed framework your comments relate to, where possible.
Consultation Deadline
Please provide feedback by Thursday 19 November by 2.00pm.
What Happens Next?
Feedback received from academic colleagues, UCU and the separate Heads of School discussions will be considered as part of the consultation review.
The proposals may be revised in response to the feedback received, before being considered through the University's appropriate governance and approval processes.
Any future decision on the operation or implementation of the Academic Promotions Framework will be communicated separately.
We encourage colleagues to engage with the consultation and contribute their views on the proposed arrangements.
Phase 1 Overview
Phase 1 of the Academic Promotions Framework review focused on establishing the academic pathways, role profiles and promotion criteria.
This work established the framework against which academic achievement, contribution and progression would be considered across the Teaching and Research, Teaching and Learning, and Professional Practice pathways.
The role profiles and promotion criteria were agreed through Phase 1 and are provided here to support colleagues in understanding the background to the current proposals.
The current Phase 2 consultation does not seek to reopen these agreed documents. Instead, it focuses on the proposed arrangements for applying, assessing and making decisions against the established framework.
Phase 1 Documents
Promotion Review - Promotion Criteria - Post Consultation
Promotion Review - Lecturer Role Profile - G7
Promotion Review - Senior Lecturer Role Profile - G8
Promotion Review - Associate Professor Role Profile - G9
Promotion Review - Professor Role Profile - G10
For details of the current consultation, please refer to the Phase 2 Consultation tab.
FAQs
1. What has been completed so far?
Phase 1 has been completed. This phase defined the academic pathways, the associated criteria, and academic profiles. These can be found on the documents list on the left hand side of this webpage (please scroll to the bottom). Phase 2 is now open for consultation until Thursday 19 November by 2.00pm.
2. What is an academic pathway?
A pathway reflects the underlying academic contract, role expectations, and SAM allocation. The three pathways are:
- Teaching and Research
- Teaching and Learning
- Professional Practice
3. What is a promotion route?
A promotion route refers to progression through academic grades and job titles:
- Lecturer → Senior Lecturer
- Senior Lecturer → Associate Professor
- Associate Professor → Professor
Each route will have its own promotion process, which will be developed in Phase 2.
4. Will moving to a pathway change my daily duties or workload?
No. The transition is intended to be developmental and non-disruptive. Day-to-day duties, responsibilities, workload expectations, and SAM will not change.
5. Who will be transitioning to which pathway?
Default pathway alignment is as follows. Your pathway was communicated in Phase 1 via email:
- Professional Tutors & Senior Professional Tutors → Teaching and Learning
- Clinical Tutors & Senior Clinical Tutors → Professional Practice
- Principal Lecturers → Teaching and Research
Staff may request an alternative pathway if evidence supports this, please use the Promotion Review - Pathway Change Request Form
6. Can I request a different pathway than the default?
Yes. Staff will have a one-month grace period to request a different pathway. Requests must be supported by evidence and discussed with the Head of School. Please use the Promotion Review - Pathway Change Request Form
7. Will my job title change?
Some job titles have changed to align with pathways. For example, Professional Tutors transitioned to Teaching and Learning have become Lecturers/Senior Lecturers. Principal Lecturers will become Associate Professors. All of these changes have been communicated as part of phase 1. Any emails would have come from promotions@hope.ac.uk
Promotion Review - Workflow - Role Transition
Moving forward job titles will become generic with school specialisms, unless approved at Professor level through established processes. This is only applicable to future changes.
8. Are the academic role profiles and promotion criteria being reconsidered?
No. The academic role profiles and promotion criteria were agreed through Phase 1 and are provided for context. Phase 2 focuses on the proposed process for applying and assessing promotion against these agreed arrangements.
9. Do I need to comment on every aspect of the Framework?
No. Colleagues may comment on as many or as few aspects as they wish. The online survey enables you to select the pathways, promotion routes and wider consultation topics relevant to your feedback.
You can complete the online consultation survey, attend either staff consultation meeting, or email your comments to promotions@hope.ac.uk
10. What role do unions play in this process?
The criteria and role profiles forming Phase 1 have been consulted with UCU, with final agreement given in March 2026. Phase 2 will also include UCU and staff consultation before final approval.
The UCU is actively involved in Phase 2 of the Academic Promotions Framework consultation.
The University is committed to an open, inclusive and collaborative consultation process, ensuring that academic colleagues, UCU and Heads of School have opportunities to contribute their views and help shape the proposed framework.
Dedicated discussions with union representatives are taking place alongside the wider staff consultation, providing opportunities to consider the proposals, raise questions and suggest improvements.
Feedback from all consultation channels will be considered collectively to inform the further development of the framework, before progressing through the University's appropriate governance and approval processes.
11. What will Phase 2 involve?
Phase 2 will define the promotion processes and governance structures, including:
- Decision-making and promotion panels
- Application requirements and evidence
- Forms, templates, and detailed guidance
- Route-specific expectations and timelines
A consultation proposal has been provided in the Phase 2 tab. Phase 2 covers how the academic promotions process would operate, including application arrangements, panel composition, evidence requirements, assessment methodology, decision-making, feedback, appeals and career development support.
12. Is this an announcement that academic promotions will be taking place?
No. This is a consultation on the proposed Academic Promotions Framework only. No decision has been made on whether an academic promotions round will operate during the current academic year, and no implementation date has been agreed.
