Progression to lecturer

If you are considering applying for progression to Lecturer, the first step in the process is to discuss this with your line manager as this will enable you to:

• Discuss the Lecturer job description and the level of responsibility associated with this position.
• Gather further information on the process involved within your Faculty.
• Seek advice on how best to approach an application for progression.

Our resources section below provides further guidance to help you with your career development. 

We also recommend seeking feedback from other colleagues to help you to identify examples for your application.

Colleagues are asked to complete the progression application form (Brookes login required) which seeks to explore your contribution to:

• Teaching and learning
• Teamwork, and motivation 
• Liaison and networking

These topics and the questions in the form are based on the responsibilities and requirements detailed within the Lecturer role profile and job description.

You are not expected to demonstrate performance at a Lecturer level across all criteria.  

We also acknowledge that there may be a variation in the balance of achievements arising from the varied academic expertise and specialisms offered by colleagues at the University.

Applicants should provide:

• An up to date CV that is no longer than 8 pages, uses at least a 10pt font and contains normal margins.  Your CV should not contain website links.
• A completed progression to Lecturer application form (Brookes login required). Responses are limited to 300 words per question. You may wish to use fewer words if preferred.

Please send this information to your line manager to provide an accompanying statement. Please note that internal deadlines will apply. Your line manager will be able to provide you with information on this, and the internal process.

Once your application is complete, your line manager will send this to your Head of School (HOS) who will identify an outcome.

Responses to each question should not exceed 300 words. It is therefore important to carefully select the examples you wish to discuss, and to be as concise as possible.

You may wish to discuss some/all of the following areas (depending on your role/academic focus) as part of your responses:

Teaching and learning

UG/PGT teaching practice through module/programme outcomes, assessment and student progression. 

• Lectures.
• Tutorials.
• Seminars.
• Practical activities.
• Fieldwork/and or placements
• The supervision of UG/PGT dissertations and/or projects. 
• External/extracurricular student activities that contribute to the student learning experience.
• Pastoral care.

Teamwork and motivation

• Collaboratively working to support curriculum redesign/development and the impact of this.
• Involvement in module development and the impact of this.
• Contribution to teaching and learning objectives.

Liaison and networking

• Participation in school structures that may be responsible for quality assurance, policy development or student experience.

As this is a time limited progression scheme for roles at the start of their Academic career journey, outcomes of applications will be decided within Faculties.  

We ask that Faculties set a deadline for responses, which will allow line managers to comment on applications and for Heads of School to identify outcomes prior to 31 August. 

Line Managers are asked to complete the supporting statement within the application form (Brookes login required) and provide a concise and clear rationale as to whether the applicant should progress to Lecturer.

Heads of School are asked to review the application and supporting statement to decide whether the applicant should progress to Lecturer. 

Outcomes of applications should be sent by Faculties to the People Directorate at payandreward@brookes.ac.uk, no later than 31 August 2025.

Progression will be applied from 1 September 2025, and this will be visible within your September payslip. Your new incremental date will be 1 September.

We are committed to ensure that the scheme offers a fair and inclusive opportunity for progression to Lecturer. 

On receipt of outcomes, the People Directorate will review this against EDI data profiles and information will be shared with Faculties/Directorates if any issues are identified. 

Heads of School are asked to reflect on the following EDI considerations when identifying outcomes:

Working hours

Colleagues working on a part time or variable hours basis will not necessarily produce the same level of activity or have the same visibility as full time colleagues.  

Flexible working does not preclude colleagues from meeting the criteria for progression and therefore colleagues who work flexibly should be considered for progression on an equal basis with full time colleagues.

Long term absences

Colleagues who are or have been absent from work for a prolonged period (i.e. three months or more) should be considered using the same process and their evidence should be assessed on a proportionate basis to other applicants.

Adjustments to the process

Line managers should consider whether their team members might require additional support to complete the application form. If this is required in a different format, please contact payandreward@brookes.ac.uk.

If unsuccessful, colleagues should receive quality feedback from their Head of School and Line Manager that enables professional development.

Good feedback should: 

• Acknowledge positive performance and outcomes.
• Provide one or two concrete development points.