Supported by a £1000 grant from the Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund 2024, nine universities (Cumbria University, Liverpool John Moores University, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Chester, University of Central Lancashire, University of Lancaster, University of Liverpool, University of Manchester, University of Salford) coordinated knowledge exchange visits and recorded participant feedback after visits took place.
To promote the knowledge exchange visits, a glossy portfolio was circulated to technical teams in all nine universities over the summer months of 2024. Over 50 applications were received in the first round, and an underspend in travel and subsistence allowed for a further two rounds of visits to take place. In total, 13 exchange visits took place across each of the nine member universities.
Following the visits, feedback was collected by colleagues from Manchester Metropolitan University. A number of these interviews were conducted online, and some were filmed in-person and edited for longevity. Insight gathering displayed the breadth of impact the visits had on technicians and their sense of connection to other institutions in the region.
Emma Fadden, Senior Pharmacy and Forensics Technician, Liverpool John Moores University said:
“I was able to see their induction process in the labs and how they operate. I was also taken to see the wind turbines on their campus which was interesting as I found out more about sustainability at the whole university, and not just in the labs.”
Mahsa Seifhashemi, Digital Architecture Technician, University of Salford said:
“I kept the contact details of those who facilitated my visit at LJMU. This was really useful, as I was able to follow up with them afterward regarding questions I had about how they manage student booking and printing systems.”
Michal Zatrak, Senior Technical Officer in the School of Natural Sciences, University of Chester said:
“Everyone was welcoming and helpful, and the new connections I made have been valuable. Even though the visit was just for one day, I have been able to forge some long-term networking connections. Some colleagues and I are already arranging for a second visit to another area of the University of Liverpool campus to see their 3D printing facilities – which we hope to do in the new year.”
Ryan Chip, Resource Centre Technician, Manchester Metropolitan University said:
"I found it useful working with technicians at the University of Manchester. I had the opportunity to prepare samples and use their Itrax Core Scanner, of which there are only three in the country. I also had the chance to see how other universities work in similar fields and bring new ideas to my workplace."
The visits advanced the Career Development and Skills Sustainability pillars of the Technician Commitment through the long-term professional connections made. For most technicians, the feedback from visits demonstrated network building with colleagues at other universities, who they can continue to contact in the future with any questions or for advice.
Some visits resulted in technicians planning to host their own exchange visit at their institution with the new connections made. Through these connections, technicians spoke of learning best practice from other universities which they can implement in their own area.
Similarly, as well as learning best practice, technicians were able to gain further knowledge of specific areas of interest and take this knowledge back to their teams and colleagues to assist in their day-to-day role. For example, some institutions were in the early stages of setting up a new facility and wanted to visit an institution that was already set up in this area.
Facilitating these exchange visits also helped to advance the Visibility and Recognition pillars where visiting technicians were able to learn about technicians in other institutions and the work they do. By recording technicians’ experiences of their visit ensures visibility of the knowledge exchange programme and the positive impact it had on those who participated.
Kate Dixon, Director of Technical Services, Manchester Metropolitan University added:
"We established the North West England Technicians Network to forge links between institutions which are regionally and geographically linked. Our network enables collaboration, sharing of best practice, learning and ideas exchange. I am encouraged to learn that the exchange visits have been valuable for technicians across the network in achieving these aims. The Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund enabled technicians to network and gain knowledge through in person visits, with learnings shared with colleagues to further enhance the impact. It is great to hear that there are plans for future collaboration through the contacts made, and I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact continue."
These visits were funded by the Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund 2024.
