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A virtual exhibition celebrating the vital role of technicians across the UK’s higher education sector has been created at Heriot-Watt University.
Titled, Technicians – The Next Generation, the online installation runs until July 2023 and is the creation of Russell Wilson, a Senior Technician for Sport and Exercise Science at Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh campus.
A technicians role is varied but integral to all successful higher education institutions. Their working day is never dull and involves an assortment of activities such as lending a helping-hand in highly specialist research, to ensuring lab equipment is maintained and in working order.
I love being a technician but it’s not a role that’s widely known about or certainly promoted in schools, so I’m really hoping this exhibition will go some way to helping raise awareness
Russell’s motivation behind his exhibition is to showcase this range of roles and responsibilities from the people who do the work, and to help inspire the next generation to enter the profession.
Funded through the National Technician Development Centre (NTDC), Russell is inviting fellow technical staff to get involved in the exhibition to ensure their voices are heard.
He adds: “This is an opportunity to take part in a collective campaign that will help raise awareness of the technician role to future generations. If people are interested in taking part, then I am more than happy to assist with any video editing that may be required.
“I love being a technician but it’s not a role that’s widely known about or certainly promoted in schools, so I’m really hoping this exhibition will go some way to helping raise awareness.”
At present, the exhibition carries contributions from technicians from various higher education facilities including, the University of Bristol and the University of Glasgow. Anyone interested in finding out more or wish to take part is encouraged to contact Russell via russell.wilson@hw.ac.uk.
In addition to his exhibition, the Edinburgh-man has also been shortlisted for the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) awards for the category of Outstanding Technician of the Year. Russell’s nomination is linked to his work on outreach and educating people on the work of a science technician.
Giving his reaction to the nomination, he said: “I was both stunned and humbled to discover that I was nominated, let alone shortlisted for this Award. It came as a real surprise to me, and it is amazing to be shortlisted alongside such outstanding technical colleagues from across the UK and Ireland. It really means a lot to gain this type of recognition for the hard work carried out throughout the year.”
The winner of the THE Award will be announced on Thursday 17 November.