Seraphin, HuguesSmith, SimonWyatt, BriannaKozak, MetinKennell, JamesMandic, Ante2024-06-232024-06-23202401934-88351758-8561https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-02-2024-4255https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12469/5746Mandic, Ante/0000-0002-2524-6387PurposeThe recruitment and promotion of teaching academics in the UK is constrained by a complex array of career progression barriers. These barriers have led to an increasing trend of horizontal career (lack of) progression. The purpose of this paper is to reveal and discuss linearity and horizontality constrictions, challenges and issues impacting on potential careers in tourism academia.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a leading UK national academic recruitment website to gather data and insights from across 137 posted jobs related to tourism between 2020 and 2022.FindingsThe main findings of this work note the constrictions of the UK academic job market and the consequences it poses for academics within tourism and beyond. It is proposed that future research to further understand the realities faced by academics is needed to prompt action for change to create more enriching career development.Originality/valueThe contribution of this study centres around sense making a phenomenon that exists but is not often talked about within academia (whether in tourism or beyond). For academics and managers, this paper presents an opportunity to reflect more holistically on careers with a view to instigating valuable change moving forward (for oneself or others). There is also a dearth of studies relating to career progression of tourism higher education educators.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessCareer developmentHigher educationLinear recruitmentAcademic jobsTourismArticleWOS:00123988560000110.1108/IJOA-02-2024-42552-s2.0-85195460322Q2