#EdUniTechsCommit Launch Event – Sarah McCafferty
As a member of the Technicians Support Steering Group, the Launch Event of Edinburgh University’s Technicians Commitment at McEwan Hall on the 5th of December was a fantastic day, and I was so proud to see our year’s work and effort rewarded with so many engaged and enthused technicians attending. It was such a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow technical staff from across the University, and for many it was a rare chance to do a spot of networking and learn about the range of roles technicians’ play within Edinburgh University.
View from McEwan Hall Entrance towards a very festive Teviot
Tweet from @UoETechicians thanking stall holders
Tweet from @UoETechicians showing HEaTED and Science Council Stalls
Lunch eaten and networking done it was time to move upstairs to the (slightly chilly) Auditorium to listen to our wonderful speakers. The event was officially opened by Sara Shinton, Head of Researcher Development, Institute of Academic Development to welcome both attendees from the technical community and the Principal of the University, Peter Mathieson, who spoke about his experiences with technicians throughout his career and answered questions from the floor.
This was a great chance to ask important questions of the principal and it’s been fantastic to get so much support both for the committee and the event from him. It was also really fantastic to see the Principal recognising Val Gordon and all the work she has done that has led us to hosting this amazing event.
Kelly Vere (University of Nottingham & Science Council) was next to tell us a bit more about the technicians commitment, and update us on the impact this campaign has had, roughly 1 year in, which was so exiting to hear, and genuinely very promising. Dave Gorman (Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability) introduced us to the TSSG with a bit of background to how the TSSG formed and the important role that the SRS department played. Next was an update on what we have achieved so far. It was great to hear from fellow TSSG committee members Jon Kelly (Chair of TSSG and Laboratory Manager for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences (SPEHS) within Moray House School of Education) telling us about his journey to joining the TSSG. We also had Fiona Alderson (Technical Services Manager within the School of Engineering) speaking about the technical managers perspective and touching upon how to improve career pathways and progression opportunities, and last but certainly not least, Joanna Fairweather (HR/OD Partner, Learning & Development) updating on our action plan and where to find out more information.
Jon Kelly describing his journey to joining the TSSG
Fiona Alderson gives a technical managers view
Kelly Vere updating attending technicians on the technician commitment and progress and impact roughly 1 year in
Just time for a quick bit of group discussion using padlet, asking attendees to think about what they can do or have been doing to support technicians locally and also what attendees can do to “bring the technicians commitment to life”, which hopefully sparked a bit of inspiration for all attendees to go away a think about they can help improve visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technical staff within the university. Final summing up from Sara Shinton, and then just like that the event was over. Nearly a years’ worth of work pulled together in this wonderful event. Just time for a quick photo of the TSSG, before a quick debrief (and a reward for a job well done!) in a nearby pub.
Group shot of the TSSG to celebrate the success of the event
Sarah McCafferty is a Technicians Support Steering Group Committee member and Research Technician in the ECRF Genetics core, primarily working in sample processing. She is passionate about science communication and the development of technical staff, spends too much time looking at cat gifs and can be found on twitter @ScienceSaz
A version of this blog will also be available at Edinburgh CRF.
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