By signing the internationally recognised Technician Commitment, The Natural History Museum joins a community of organisations improving visibility, recognition, career development and long-term sustainability of technical professionals in higher education, research and innovation.
The Natural History Museum employs more than 60 technicians and technical specialists across its Science Innovations Platforms (SIPs). Their work supports the NHM’s scientific impact in fields such as the biosciences, microscopy, chemistry and particle analysis. They also play key roles in operational areas such as conservation of collections, preparing exhibitions and managing specimen loans. Technicians also contribute across a broad range of roles throughout the NHM, from engineering and IT to maintenance of the Museum’s gardens to support public engagement with science.
Alex Sossick, Head of Science Innovation Platforms at the Natural History Museum, said:
Technicians are an essential pillar of everything the NHM does to tackle global challenges, thereby helping to create an environment in which both people and the planet can thrive. The unfolding of climate change and biodiversity loss means we are facing a planetary emergency; the NHM aims to address this emergency by drawing on the past to shape solutions for the future.”
Signing up to this initiative demonstrates the NHM’s commitment to its professional technical workforce and its support for a sustainable future. The Technician Commitment is a pledge to implement a long-term action plan to enhance technical careers, skills and opportunities within the organisation.
Clare Stevenson, Technician Commitment Associate Lead, said:
We warmly welcome The Natural History Museum to the Technician Commitment community. The Museum’s technical professionals play a vital role in enabling impactful scientific research, caring for globally significant collections and supporting public engagement with science. Their expertise underpins the interdisciplinary work required to address major global challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate change. We look forward to supporting the NHM’s journey in enhancing the visibility and career development of their technical workforce and sharing valuable insights across our growing community.”
Since launching in 2017, the Technician Commitment has now grown into a global community of more than 140 organisations championing technicians and their contributions to higher education and research across all disciplines. The initiative is hosted by the UK Institute of Technical Skills & Strategy.
