Tristan Canfer - Diagnostics Electronics Technician, UKRI
‘Each project has something new to teach me’
Tristan is a technician at the UKRI ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, a world-leading centre for research at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
Tristan started out as an apprentice, which he describes as ‘learning on the job the old-fashioned way’, from experienced technicians and engineers. Now he is a technician and is working his way through a part-time engineering degree with The Open University.
Tristan and his group at UKRI look after monitoring equipment that allows physicists to set up and fine-tune the ISIS accelerator. He designs, builds and tests electronics alongside his work pushing for a fairer workplace as a Prospect trade union rep and a member of the organisation’s LGBTQ+ network.
When asked what his favourite thing is about his role, Tristan says ‘I'm never bored! Most of our work is custom, and each project has something new to teach me.’
Last year, Tristan made a piece of equipment which was sent all the way to an accelerator in Kyoto. “It felt very cool to have put something together that was working on the other side of the world,” Tristan said.
Tristan wants people to know that people of all training backgrounds have something valuable they could bring to a technician role. ‘Arts and crafts skills transfer well into detailed assembly work, customer service skills are perfect for translating client needs into specifications, if you're good with kids you could be amazing at school outreach - the list goes on,’ he says.
‘It means a great deal to be recognised for both sides of what I do at work.’ Tristan says. ‘I'm honoured to be on a shortlist alongside technicians who have done so much for research and the communities that make it happen.’
Philip Alan Davey PhD - Departmental Technician, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex
‘It’s all about the little victories.’
Philip completed a degree in Biological Sciences at Plymouth Polytechnic, followed by an MSc in Crop Production at the University of Essex and Writtle Agricultural College. He then accepted a research assistant position at Essex, working on a NERC-funded project identifying the effects of climate change on natural ecosystems, and undertook a part-time PhD. A postdoctoral position at the University of Illinois followed, researching the response of plant physiology to climate change. Philip returned to the UK in 2001, to take a technical role at the University of Essex.
Philip supports research and teaching within the Plant Productivity group. The role can involve anything from changing a plug to project managing research installations.
Philip is proud of ‘all the little victories’ that have allowed successful research to proceed. ‘If I had to choose one moment, it would be working with colleagues to publish the first image of plant water-use efficiency’ he says.
Philip’s favourite thing about his role is increasing engagement with science, ‘opening up our research to students, colleagues and the public who perceive science to be inaccessible.’
Philip wants people to know that a technical role ‘is a job where you focus on the practical problems, that when solved, allow productive teaching and research.’
Displaying the humility that characterises so many of the inspirational technicians on the list of nominees, Philip says that on hearing of his nomination, he was ‘first surprised. Secondly, a little embarrassed that it doesn’t include the amazing people that I’ve had the pleasure to work with.’ We’re certain all of Philip’s colleagues agree how well-deserved his nomination is.
James Fox-Robinson BA (hons), PGCert, MA (Dunelm), MA (Dunelm), TSSF - Lead Theatre Technician at the Student Enrichment Directorate, Durham University
‘We are capable leaders who need opportunities to showcase what we’re made of.’
James is responsible for recruitment and retention of student technicians for more than one hundred theatre productions every year. He also mentors and consults with college-based student technicians across the university who oversee productions and events in the 17 university colleges. ‘When students ask what I do, I say that I’m here for three reasons, says James. ‘To keep them safe, to make sure they are competent using the equipment available to them, and to help them reach their creative vision.’
James has worked in design, theatre, education and faith-based contexts including as a theatre practitioner and a creative arts director. ‘My career has been a rich mix of creativity and building other people’s skills,’ he says.
James is particularly proud to have co-ordinated an immersive journey around the theatre building called ‘The Final Frontier’, a collaboratively-run wellbeing project taking place during the exam period.
James’ pride in the students he supports and works with is palpable. ‘My favourite thing is seeing students grow in their knowledge, skills and excitement about theatre,’ James says. ‘There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing students’ self-confidence grow and giving them life skills that set them up for post university careers.’
‘Technicians are highly skilled and creative people.’ James says. ‘Within often incredibly complex organisations, we make stuff happen. We’re often at the cutting edge of innovation and new ideas. We are capable leaders who need opportunities to showcase what we’re made of. This is why the Technician Commitment is so important.’
‘I hope my nomination (and shortlisting) will help highlight that there’s all sorts of university staff who fit the remit of ‘technician’ who also need to be recognised. Universities need to look more broadly to their libraries and archiving teams, media departments, photographers etc.’
Abigail Mortimer - Scientific Glassblower, University of York
‘For me the satisfaction comes from creating a solution to a problem.’
Abigail started out as a trainee glassblower and was trained in-house at the University of York. Around 2 years after she fully qualified she took over the full running of the workshop. ‘Since then I have successfully run the workshop on my own and have also been involved in the delivery of the Technician Commitment since 2017,’ she says.
Abigail’s primary role is to provide an in-house scientific glassblowing service to support teaching and research within the University. There are two main aspects of my role,’ she says. ‘The first being 'new builds' - working with customers to design and produce bespoke scientific glassware, as well as making more standard items such as columns, ampoules and Schlenk lines. As glass inevitably breaks, the other main part of my roles is repairs and modifications.’
Passing her final glassblowing exam with flying colours was a particularly proud moment for Abigail. ‘I was trained in-house for four years before taking my final exam so was incredibly proud to pass with Distinction.’
The best thing about my role is being able to create something that enables someone to carry out their work,’ says Abigail. ‘Sometimes that might be a very simple piece of glassware, or even a modification to something that already exists. Other times it might be a more complicated design with a very specific use, or trying what seems like the impossible! Quite often for me the satisfaction comes from creating a solution to a problem.’
‘Being a technician is very rewarding.’ Abigail says. ‘Technical roles can vary massively – so if you find yourself in a technical role that you are not really enjoying, it doesn't mean that being a technician isn't for you. It just means maybe you haven't found the right role.’
Her nomination for Outstanding Technician of the Year came as a surprise to Abigail. ‘It wasn't something I was expecting, so it took a while to sink in that I had been nominated for an amazing award, for doing something that I genuinely love.’
Glyn Nelson - Specialist Experimental Scientific Officer, Newcastle University.
‘You get a chance to provide high quality data output for the researchers you help.’
Glyn was a postdoc for some time before becoming a technician, but discovered he most enjoyed working at the bench. Now he works in the Bioimaging Unit at Newcastle, providing light microscopy to staff and students.
One of his proudest moments as technician is ‘being instrumental in establishing a worldwide consortium to improve quality control in microscopy, which we set up in 2020 and has grown quickly to several hundred members.’
Glyn loves that every working day is different. ‘You meet new people that you train, engage with engineers and sales representatives from companies, develop methodologies for monitoring systems and manage the day to day running of the microscopes. An awful lot of it seems to include being on your knees fixing things under benches!’
Glyn wants more people to understand that a technical career offers a chance to hone your skills in an area you’re interested in. ‘You get a chance to apply these skills to provide high quality data output for the researchers you help.’
Glyn shows the same collegiate attitude of many of our nominees, and is keen to acknowledge his co-workers. ‘I’m not really aware that I am better than others - I just work at my job to the best of my ability.’
Gillian Riddell BSc(Hons), FIScT, Queen’s University Belfast - Technician Commitment Manager and Technician Floor Manager, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast
‘I am very grateful to represent such a valuable group of people.’
Gillian has been a technician at Queen’s University for over 20 years. She first joined the technical staff in the School of Biology and Biochemistry at Queen’s in 1995, after graduating from Dundee University. ‘My passion has been to enable and encourage students and staff to participate in field courses and study the interactions of living organisms in their own environment - by getting outdoors!’ Gillian says.
Gillian is particularly proud of the university’s support for the Technician Commitment. ‘I was delighted that Queen’s University became founding signatories. With the support of my line manager I was able to help drive the initiative. Now, 5 years on, our progress has been recognised by my formal appointment as Technician Commitment Manager.’
‘My favourite thing about my role is the opportunity to create a culture where the roles and careers of technicians at Queen’s are truly recognised for their value and contribution to research and teaching activities in the University,’ Gillian says. ‘Being a technician is about having skill in your chosen discipline and being given the opportunity to develop in your area of expertise.’
On being nominated for Outstanding Technician of the Year, Gillian says. ‘There are so many amazing technicians working in Higher Education, I am very grateful to represent such a valuable group of people.’
Russell Wilson - Senior Technician, Sport and Exercise at Heriot-Watt University
‘I know from experience that students value and appreciate the help and support they receive from technicians, often finding it crucial.’
Russell’s career as a technician started straight out of school. He studied for his undergraduate degree alongside a full-time role at Edinburgh Napier University. 18 months ago, he moved on to Heriot-Watt University to help establish an exciting new programme, which he describes as ‘a bit of a leap into the unknown’.
As part of his role, he is establishing new laboratories to support the new programme. ‘Much of my role includes developing and maintaining laboratory procedures, setting up experimental apparatus, diagnosing faults/undertaking maintenance on equipment and assisting with teaching, research and commercialisation within the labs’ he says.
‘Working as a technician means that no working day is ever the same.’ Russell says. ‘One day I could be supporting with the learning and teaching within the lab and the next I could be assessing athletes’ fitness levels.’ He also enjoys keeping up to date with the latest technology.
‘It is an incredibly rewarding job.’ Russell says. ‘I have seen many former students succeed and go on to do incredible things. I know from experience that students value and appreciate the help and support they receive from technicians, often finding it crucial.’
Russell says he was ‘stunned’ to hear he had been nominated for this prestigious national award, and credits his colleagues in the technical community for everything he has learned from them. ‘These individuals have inspired and supported me to pursue my ambitions, so to now been shortlisted amongst such amazing individuals is something I am immensely proud of.’
Hong Lin - Senior Research and Teaching Technician, University of Reading
‘Our work sometimes goes on behind the scenes but I think that anyone who works with us, realises that everything would come to a halt without us.’
Hong started her career as a physician in China, working in outpatient departments and A&E. She came to the UK and worked in the rheumatology unit in Edinburgh University, where she obtained her MPhil in Medicine. From there she started work at University of Reading as a research technician funded by the Wellcome Trust. Since then she has worked in different groups supporting the Pharmacology Division and external institutes, and has seen the outcomes of these projects applied in biomedical research and medical diagnosis.
In her current role is responsible for the day-to-day running of a research floor shared by biologists and pharmacologists. She supports research, staff and students and is the first point of contact when problems come up with lab facilities or equipment.
Hong supported cutting-edge research on llama immunisations during the Covid-19 pandemic. ‘I noticed there was a spike protein of Covid-19 on the list of the antigens, and I understood that the work could potentially save people’s lives if successful. That was in early March 2020, before the national lockdown, when there was a lot of uncertainty. I was determined, regardless of what was ahead, to do my best to continue this project.’ Hong says.
One of Hong’s favourite things about her work as a technician is how varied and interesting her work is. ‘I cannot predict what may happen on any given day, from a researcher asking for help with a problem with an incubator that holds their precious cell cultures, to asking me to get involved in a new project involving llamas!’
‘Our work sometimes goes on behind the scenes but I think that anyone who works with us, realises that everything would come to a halt without us.’ She says.
Gemma Black - Technical Services Manager, University of Leicester
“Technicians are often a fountain of knowledge and the eyes and ears of a building.”
Gemma has worked in technical roles for more than twenty years, mostly in research labs across industry and higher education. She joined University of Leicester initially as the Geography Technician and moved into the role of Technical Services Manager seven years ago.
Gemma works in the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment where she leads and manages a technical team of eleven people providing support for research and teaching, with a particular remit around safety.
“I enjoy the variation of work from day to day. It makes my role very busy, but interesting,” Gemma says.
Gemma takes every opportunity to represent the value of technicians both within the university and outside it. She is on the Midlands Innovation Technical Managers Strategy Group and the university’s Technician Commitment Steering Group. “I am passionate about technicians, the work that we all undertake and the skill sets we have to support teaching and research,” she says.
She is particularly proud to have written the university’s Technician Commitment self-assessment report. “We received excellent feedback. It helped me to bring together everything we have achieved at Leicester so far and also prompted the development of ideas and opportunities to work on in the future.”
“I am honoured to be recognised both within the University of Leicester and nationally for this award.” Gemma says. “Being a technician is always interesting. You have the opportunity to learn new things each and every day. Technicians are very knowledgeable and highly skilled people who are often a fountain of knowledge and the eyes and ears of a building.”
