November 2025 signatory event – the highlight reel

We welcomed 110 technicians from our community across 85 of our signatories and supporters, including representatives from our first international signatory.

Many thanks to all the speakers we heard from during the day, most of whom are pictured above. Left to right: Sally Morgan, Technical Services Manager at the University of Edinburgh School of Engineering; Dr Aline Tabib-Salazar, Technician Career Pathways Programme Manager at The Institute of Cancer Research; Dr Kelly Vere MBE, Director of UK ITSS; Charlie Baker, Research Fellow at UK ITSS; Dr Ian Hancox, Co-Director of UK ITSS; Aimee Parker, Co-Founder of the Early-Career Technicians Network; Aimee Wilkin, Co-Founder of the Early-Career Technicians Network; Simon Wilson, Director of Wilson Sheriff Ltd. (facilitator); Jo Hartley-Metcalfe, Universities T-Levels Support Manager at UK ITSS; Dr Barbara Kunz, Technician Commitment Lead at The Open University; John Elvin, Industry Engagement Programme Manager at the Royal Society; Cagla Stevenson, Senior Policy Adviser at the Royal Society; Brigitte Denis, Laboratory Manager at Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme; Catherine Perry, Professional Registration Specialist and Technician Commitment Project Lead at the Royal Society of Chemistry; Nik Ogryzko, Senior Talent Programme Manager at UKRI. Not pictured: Dr Cecily Pepper, Research Fellow at UK ITSS; Yara Reis, Strategic Alliances Manager at Global BioImaging

Cagla Stevenson from the Royal Society who, along with her colleague John Elvin, gave a keynote speech on the Royal Society’s work to shape policy and strengthen support for the technical community across research and innovation.

After hearing about the Early Career Technicians Network and the recent UK ITSS report on Utilising Apprenticeships to Support the Talent Pipeline in UK Higher Education and Research Institutions, delegates took part in roundtable discussions on approaches to improving career pathways across the sector.

In the afternoon, an international panel explored how the Technician Commitment is being embraced globally, with contributions from (left to right) Brigitte Denis of Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme; Yara Reis from Global BioImaging, and Cecily Pepper, who presented on the ITSS-led Universitas 21 Community of Practice.

Dr Aline Tabib-Salazar showcasing some of The Institute for Cancer Research’s work on research culture in one of a series of best practice updates from signatories and supports, which also featured contributions from the University of Edinburgh, The Open University and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

ITSS Co-Director Ian Hancox and Research Fellow Charlie Baker launching the new report "Driving Environmental Sustainability: The Contribution of Technical Professionals in Higher Education and Research", which highlights the vital role of technical staff in advancing sustainability across UK institutions.

Nik Ogryzko from UKRI providing an update on national policy and programme activity supporting technical careers.

We rounded off the event with an evening reception celebrating the launch of the report, featuring reflections from Martin Farley, Associate Director of Environmental Sustainability Programmes at UKRI (left), and Lee Hibbett, Technical Manager at the University of Nottingham whose environmental leadership was featured as a case study in the report (right).

Catherine Perry (left) accepting a Technician Commitment supporter award on behalf of the Royal Society of Chemistry, presented by UK ITSS Advisory Board Chair Helen Pain MBE (right) at the evening awards ceremony recognising institutions and supporters who have demonstrated outstanding progress in advancing the aims of the Technician Commitment.