Visibility

The Concordat is an agreement, between funders and employers of research staff, including technicians engaged in research, to improve the employment and support for researchers and research careers in UK higher education.

Vitae is a non-profit programme supporting the professional development of researchers. They are experts on the implementation of the UK Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.

Volunteers from a wide range of STEM related jobs and disciplines across the UK offer their time and enthusiasm to help bring STEM subjects to life. STEM Ambassadors are an important and exciting free-of-charge resource for teachers and others engaging with young people in and outside of the classroom.

Technicians make it happen is a multi-channel campaign aiming to highlight the value of technicians to the UK’s economy and promote the varied and rewarding career pathways related to being a technician.

Following on from a consultation in summer 2014 aimed at identifying vulnerable capabilities and skills within the UK bioscience and biomedical research base, BBSRC surveyed more than 800 technicians and laboratory assistants about their roles, careers and professional recognition. The results revealed opportunities for change in the current ill-defined status of technical staff.

The largest event held specifically for UK and Irish higher ed and research technical staff. The last HETS was held in Warwick on 4 July 2023. The next summit will be held in 2025.

To ensure a wide audience recognise the value of technicians, the Royal Society of Chemistry offers a range of awards available to teams and individuals including Technical Excellence awards and Apprentice of the Year.

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s networks provide opportunities for members to connect with each other face to face and online, with networks based on either regional area or specific subjects. With some funding available for travel, the RSC brings people together to socialise, share ideas and collaborate.

Our technical staff are crucial to our ongoing success. Find out how we’re supporting our technicians, including through our participation in the Technician Commitment.

Find out more about what the amazing technicians at the University of Exeter do.

A short film of the Technicians community at the University of Leeds, demonstrating the breadth of teaching and research work that technicians are involved in, and an overview of the initiatives underway supporting the Technician Commitment.

Without technicians, The University of Nottingham would not be able to function. Work by the University’s Technical Focus Group, which aims to raise the profile of its 700 technicians, has been recognised with an S-Lab Award for ‘Making a Difference’. Take a look at what their technicians do.

University of Sheffield technicians talk to TDM about their career pathways and how they got into the technical roles they are in today.

The Association of Technical Staff in Psychology exists primarily to share knowledge between technicians working in Psychology and Psychology related departments in academic institutions.

CHEAD is the association of educational institutions with degree or postgraduate provision in art and design. 

CHEAD supports a Technical Alliance bringing together technicians, technical tutors and technical leaders within CHEAD membership institutions and create opportunities to communicate and share best practice. The Alliance’s overall aim is to assist CHEAD in achieving its strategic priorities by proactively connecting the technical expertise, knowledge and experience into the wider debates and consultations that promote and advance art and design education in the UK. The Alliance is internationally connected and will complement the work the ETHO network undertakes with the support of ELIA

Core Technologies for Life Sciences (CTLS) is a networking non-profit association that aims to bring together scientists, technical and administrative staff working across the world in core facilities, research infrastructures and other shared resource laboratories.

CTLS provides a platform to network, discuss emerging technologies and exchange information on best practices. CTLS supports the career development of our members throughout their careers.

TMU is an informal voluntary association of technical managers and supervisors working within arts, engineering, medicine, science & social science to support a wide range of disciplines in universities throughout the United Kingdom.

UBMA is the organisation for Laboratory Superintendents and Managers in university biological, biochemical and life science departments, schools and faculties, currently with members drawn from over 70 different universities across the UK and Ireland. Membership of UBMA is open to staff with resource management responsibilities in HE bioscience and life sciences disciplines.