Programme overview & timeline
The ACRF has been developed in collaboration with staff across the collegiate University and shaped by an extensive programme of engagement undertaken by the ACRF Programme Team and Subject Matter Experts. This iterative process ensures that the framework reflects the values and needs of the Oxford community. Its success relies on continued informed engagement and dialogue, and we invite colleagues to explore the information presented here in advance of a formal consultation commencing in Hilary term 2026.
The ACRF programme timeline is ambitious, as the new framework touches on all elements of existing academic roles and related policies. We hope that with your continued input, together we will produce a robust framework fit for implementation.
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The future of academic progression at Oxford: an overview of the Academic Career and Reward Framework presented by Rachael Theophile, ACRF Programme Manager
Key components
Career pathways: Research-focused, Research and Education, Education-focused
Research and Education: academics balance responsibilities across both research and teaching, contributing to the University’s intellectual output and educational mission.
Research-focused: roles concentrate on research, innovation and societal impact, with a focus on generating and applying knowledge both within and beyond academia.
Education-focused: primarily focussed on teaching, learning, supervision and educational leadership.
The ACRF creates dedicated space for educational specialists to thrive; supporting parity of esteem between research and education and affirming that excellence in both areas simultaneously is not a requirement for career progression.
Each career pathway is associated with clearly articulated promotion pathways, with advancement determined by successful assessment against a transparent set of criteria appropriate to the role and career stage. Movement between career pathways will be possible.
Promotion criteria: career advancement will be determined by assessment against a transparent set of criteria appropriate to role and career stage.
Career stages: delineated by the titles Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor which replace the various titles currently in use. Progression through career stages will replace Recognition of Distinction, Professorial Merit Pay and recruitment and retention supplements, thereby replacing individualised exercises in determining an academic’s ‘value’ with fair, transparent and role-specific assessment.
Timeline
We are currently in the pre-consultation phase of the ACRF timeline (click on graphic below) and anticipate a formal consultation commencing in Hilary term 2026 once the framework has passed through the relevant governance stages.
