Academic & Researcher Promotions
Academic promotion and award of title is a merit-based process which recognises and rewards the sustained performance and contribution of our academic staff. It is a key part of achieving our strategic objectives.
Each year we invite applications from academic staff at grade 6 and above for promotion as well as applications from grade 7 senior lecturers for award of title to Associate Professor. Research staff at grade 4 and above. There is no cap on the number of promotions and award of titles which can be awarded.
Applicants should note that there is now a requirement to have a minimum of one year's service at Edinburgh Napier, prior to the closing date for applications.
Applications for the 2025 promotions and award of title are now being invited. The closing date for applications ia 5pm on Friday 2nd May 2025.
Getting started
If you are considering applying for promotion, the first thing you should do is talk to your line manager. An application for promotion will require a significant amount of effort and by talking to your line manager, as well as your Dean and other trusted mentors, you can make a realistic assessment of your readiness for promotion before investing a lot of time in preparing your application.
Please carefully review the Guidance for All Applicants and the Academic Appointments & Framework documents. If you are a Researcher, the process is the same, however you will use the Promotions Framework for Researchers, Guidance for Research Applicants, and fill out the Researchers Application (in green below).
To apply, use these templates:
Applicant Briefings
Potential applicants are required to attend an applicant briefing and will receive an invite to the session. These provide essential information about the current year’s application process as well as insights from previous promotion rounds on what makes a successful application. Line managers and other staff supporting potential applicants are also encouraged to attend. Where possible potential applicants should try to attend the briefing for their own School but, if this not possible, they can attend any of the briefings listed below:
Applicant Briefing sessions (no registration required) - times and dates
School
| Time
| Date
| Link to join the session
|
School of Applied Science
&
School of Health & Social Care
| 10:00 - 11.30
| 13/11/2025
| Join the session
|
School of Computing, Engineering & built Environment
&
School of Arts and Creative Industries
| 14:00 - 15.30
| 19/11/2025
| Join the session
|
The Business School
| 14.00-15.30
| 3/12/2025
| Join the session
|
Please note that the sessions will be recorded if you are not able to attend any of the specified dates above.
Worktribe
Your Worktribe profile is part of the application process, so please make sure it's up to date. Potential applicants should review advice on how to prepare your Worktribe profile which is available on the RIE Worktribe page. If you have a query after reading through the guidance, then please contact RMSadmin@napier.ac.uk well in advance of the closing date as there are often a high volume of calls.
Preparing and submitting your application
Applications for both promotion and award of title will be assessed against the Academic Appointments and Promotions Framework. The Guidance for Applicants document provides full details of the application process and links to the appropriate templates are listed at the foot of this page. If you have any additional questions, please contact the promotion_award@napier.ac.uk.
Applications for the 2025 promotions and award of title are now being invited. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 2nd May 2024
Assessment process
Applications will be assessed against the Academic Appointments and Promotions Framework by a panel made up of professors from Edinburgh Napier and other UK universities. The Panel is chaired by the Principal.
Applicant feedback
Within 14 days of the panel meeting, applicants will receive an outcome letter and written feedback from the panel. Unsuccessful applicants will also be offered a face-to-face meeting with a panel member and their Dean of School.
Appeals
If you've gone through the promotions process and wish to appeal the panels decision, we first advise that you attend your feedback meeting to further understand the decision. If you still with to appeal after your meeting, please fill out this Appeals Form and send it to promotion_award@napier.ac.uk for consideration.
Timeline
