I support all teaching, research and enterprise activities in the Human Physiology lab in the Department of Nutritional Sciences. I also have the pleasure of managing the technical team in the Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, and I am fortunate to lead the committee of the technical services TechNet, an initiative which aims to promote networking between technicians at the university.
It’s a pleasure being in the lab, as no day is the same. From working alongside academic staff, to supporting a wide range of lab practicals, to helping students collect project data and collaborating with external companies to test the feasibility of their products.
I leave work most days with a smile and my head held high after a productive day, feeling satisfied my lab users have had an excellent user experience. I love lab life. Until I experienced one day like no other before.
Thursday 19th March I, along with all university staff, were sent to work from home (WFH) as the covid-19 pandemic hit our nation. My lab shut. Student research stopped. Lab practicals cancelled. External partnerships on hold. How could I be a technician without a lab?
Not knowing how to WFH as a technician, I realised I was not the only one needing help. Over 200 technical colleagues were in the same position. Some may have better ideas, better methods or better plans to cope with WFH. Therefore, the TechNet committee decided to go digital to create TechNet Chats as an informal platform to search and share advice. We meet virtually every other week to discuss topics chosen by technicians. So far, we have discussed communication between each other and students and plan more chats on coping strategies and how technology can help at home.
