The Technicians’ Network at the University of Leeds is run for technicians, by technicians and we welcome involvement from all technical staff.
In 2018 the University pledged to support the Technician Commitment for any technical staff based in faculties. The Technician Commitment is a university and research institution initiative, that aims to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.
The University employs nearly 400 technicians, based in faculties (both on and off campus) who provide a variety of specialist skills and knowledge that enhances the teaching and research capabilities of our institution. There are also technical staff based in the Facilities Directorate and IT teams.
The Technicians’ Network aims to support the technical community through regular networking activities, Technically Speaking news articles and regular communication. Technicians are welcome to join our TEAMS Technicians’ Network.
We asked all technical staff in faculties to complete the NTDC Skills, Roles and Responsibilities survey over September and October 2023. The project is being led for technicians by technicians and will give us a greater understanding of our technical community here at Leeds, helping us to identify who we are, where we are based, the contributions we make, and what we do on a day-to-day basis. It will also allow us to develop tailored training and career development opportunities for technicians across the University.
Watch a video to find out more about the survey and to hear voices from across our technical community explaining why they will be completing it.
Technicians Week took place between 18-22 September 2023 and included 32 events, including tours of workspaces, career workshops, networking opportunities and a Showcase event, a technician takeover of the staff twitter account and celebratory pieces featuring technicians.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in hosting events and to the 140 people who came along to find out more about technicians at Leeds.
The Yorkshire Technician Exchange Partnership (YoTEP)
Technicians from the University of York and University of Leeds successfully bid to the Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund to pilot the Yorkshire Technician Exchange Partnership (YoTEP). The aim was to establish a supportive and informative network between the technical communities of the Yorkshire Universities – starting with York and Leeds but with a plan to expand to include all HEIs in the Yorkshire region in the future.
During the pilot scheme (between April and December 2022), twenty-seven technicians participated in exchanges. These were distributed across a range of disciplines and topics including Music, Plant Sciences, Electronic Engineering, Environmental Analysis, Chemistry (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Chromatography services), BioArchaeology, and networking activities.
The aim is now to extend this network to more HEIs in the Yorkshire region to give further opportunity for skills and knowledge sharing. Both York and Leeds universities have been successful in securing funds to support this.
Professional Registration and Development for Technicians
Since becoming signatories of the Technician Commitment, we are proud of the achievements we have made. These have been driven by the determination of our technical community and have been supported and actioned by many different staff and agencies across the University.
Technician Champions in all faculties, and permission to appoint more
Technical representatives on the Research Culture Steering Group
Funding for technicians to attend national conferences and meetings (Higher Education Technicians Summit (HETS), Technicians in Partnership, NTDC Partner Forum, Technician Commitment Signatory events)
Creating the Yorkshire Technician Exchange Partnership with colleagues from York and expanding across the wider region
Promoting opportunities and awards to technicians
Supporting technicians with applying for Professional Registration and HEA Fellowships
Raising visibility through campaigns such as Further Together
Opportunity to meaningfully engage with members of the University Executive Group
Networking opportunities, including in person and virtual Tech Exchange
Membership of HEaTED and NTDC
Formed a Technician Commitment Working Group – the interface with the technical community
Formed a Technician Commitment Steering Group, reporting directly to the UEG
Created two new part time roles – Technician Lead for the Technician Commitment and a Project Support Officer to support Technician Commitment activities
Tech Exchange – in-person and virtual opportunities to meet and share ideas
Please view our Technician Commitment Action Plans below, and the accompanying Review letters from the Technicians Commitment Steering Board.
Universities of the N8 Research Partnership have announced they will commit to implementing recommendations from a national policy commission report published in 2022.
The brilliance and dedication of University technicians and skilled specialists delivering breakthroughs in research are to be fully acknowledged under new guidelines.
September saw the first Technicians Week at the University of Leeds, featuring more than 30 events and highlighting the essential contribution technicians make to teaching and research.
The one-day Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Conference 2023 was recently held in London at the South Bank University on 13 September. The IST was also celebrating its 75th anniversary.
As part of Technicians Week, we’re celebrating the hard work that often happens behind the scenes and shining a light on our technical community here at Leeds.
