Some work stays with you because it speaks directly to your values.
For me, the Technician Commitment has always been about culture, values and ensuring that technicians are properly recognised for the contribution they make to teaching and research. I first became involved through my role as a Co-Investigator on the Research England Development Fund bid that supported the establishment of the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy. Before this, I had held significant national roles with Higher Education and Technician Educational Development (HEaTED) and the National Technician Development Centre, an initiative led by Terry Croft MBE and funded by the Office for Students.
What we might now describe as “culture work” has always resonated strongly with my values around equality, diversity and inclusion, and with my belief that technicians should be recognised, valued and rewarded for their contribution to universities.
When I formally joined the Technician Commitment team as an Associate Lead in April 2023, it felt like a natural continuation of work that had already shaped a significant part of my career, and an opportunity to contribute to something deeply aligned with my values.
A changing landscape
I can see the impact of this work most clearly in the everyday signs that technicians are now part of the conversation.
At Newcastle University, where I am based, technicians are much more present in the consciousness of the organisation. It has become increasingly typical for central Professional Services teams to reach out and ask for technical involvement when planning new initiatives. This reflects growing recognition of the vital role technicians play in delivering teaching and research, and of the value technical voices bring to institutional decision-making. That change feels significant.
Across the wider sector, I have also seen the emergence of more senior technical leadership roles. These roles are helping to elevate the technician voice within institutions, while also supporting more strategic organisation of technical services. Done well, this can reduce fragmentation, increase agility and visibility, and create more efficient shared platforms and resources.
At the other end of the pipeline, the growth of T-Level placements to spark interest in technical careers among young people is both inspiring and urgently needed.
Moments of pride
There have been so many proud Technician Commitment moments, but one that really stands out is the recent launch of the Three-Year Impact Report at the House of Lords.
For me, it powerfully illustrated what can be achieved through genuine collaboration. It also highlighted how far the Technician Commitment has come, with achievements that compare favourably with other sector initiatives, including some established before the Technician Commitment itself. That is something we should be proud of: we really are leading the way in driving change across the sector.
The report was a powerful opportunity to reflect on the progress made, the collective effort behind it and the continued importance of this work.
The people behind the progress
As a technical community, we cannot always create change on our own. Often, we need to work alongside other communities to make meaningful change happen, whether within our own institutions or across the sector. I have seen this many times, and it is often these collective successes that really accelerate progress.
I have always believed in getting the right people on the bus and making sure they are sitting in the right seats. Whatever the direction of travel, things usually turn out well when the right team is in place. And when you need to change course, that is much easier with a great team that is also agile.
My fellow Technician Commitment Associate Leads, Clare and Simon, have made a huge impact on me throughout my Technician Commitment journey. They are amazing colleagues. We each bring different perspectives and strengths, but the outcome is always more than the sum of its parts.
That has been one of the most valuable parts of the experience: working with people who bring different strengths, different views and a shared commitment to the work.
The moments you don’t expect
One of my most memorable behind-the-scenes moments was putting together a very last-minute presentation in a hotel room. It is not my preferred way of working, and I was genuinely amazed that it went as well as it did. However, I was not sufficiently amazed to adopt last-minute preparation as “business as usual”.
Moments like that have stayed with me because they are unexpected, slightly chaotic and very human.
What I’m taking forward
The biggest challenge has been juggling my time between Technician Commitment work, my role at Newcastle University, study and family life. That has only been possible because of the support of others in each of those areas, and that support has made a real difference.
The most valuable lesson I am taking with me is that this work is ultimately about people and partnership. Sometimes that means leading, and sometimes it means following, but what matters most is that everyone contributes what they can towards a shared purpose. That is what makes the work both possible and enjoyable.
Looking ahead
The work to improve the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technicians is not finished; indeed, it feels more important than ever given the current challenges facing the HE sector. Set against wider global trends towards agility, boundaryless working and emerging digital skills, I am genuinely excited about what comes next and the opportunity to navigate these challenges in a way that strengthens and future-proofs the technical workforce.
My time with the Technician Commitment has been an absolute privilege. I have been fortunate to work with a fantastic team, and with fabulous technicians across the sector who have driven real step change in their institutions. Their commitment, leadership and impact have been exceptionally empowering.
While I am stepping down as an Associate Lead, I will still be around and look forward to crossing paths with many of you in the future. Until then, my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has engaged with, supported and challenged me during my time in this role.
At its heart, this work has always been about people, partnership and contribution, and that is something I will continue to value deeply.
