The TechNet Scotland Sustainability Conference was held on Thursday 23 April 2026 at the historic McEwan Hall in Edinburgh. This event served as a dedicated platform for technical staff from across Scotland to converge and tackle the environmental challenges facing modern research and technical spaces.

The conference centered on the theme of sustainability, highlighting how technicians are the backbone of sustainable change. The primary goals were to share expertise, exchange best practices and lessons learned regarding sustainable lab and workshop operations.

The conference was opened by a keynote on regenerative sustainability pathways beyond net zero delivered by Scott Davidson, the University of Edinburgh’s Head of Sustainability. While traditional sustainability focuses on doing no harm or maintaining resources at their current levels, regenerative sustainability goes a step further. It aims to actively repair, renew, and improve the systems we interact with, leaving the environment and society better than we found them.

The morning session continued with a talk by Charlie Baker from UK ITSS showcasing case studies in the environmental sustainability report published in November 2025, with real-world examples of how to reduce waste and energy in technical environments. This was followed by Ben Gray from Sustainability Steps, who delivered a simple practical message “start small, build habits, and influence others”. The morning session ended with flash talks, where Charli Corcoran introduced the newly launched Technically Scotland (previously Technically Edinburgh) podcast, Elisa Garcia Wilson introduced the environmental sustainability network hosted by ITSS, Abby Ireland discussed the carbon literacy project, Joan Quast highlighted the materials hub at the Edinburgh College of Arts Makers Space, John Thorne introduced GSA salvage – the student-led collective documenting existing material reuse efforts within Glasgow School of Art, and Andrew Turner from EPCC highlighted open source training for responsible computing plans.

The afternoon session was opened by Marie Anne Pringle from UWS describing the ASPIRE programme on sustainability in teaching modules, including modules created and delivered by technicians. This was followed by Emma McArdle who described the TRACE project for tracking research activity carbon emissions and the launch of a useable carbon calculator in 2027. The afternoon flash talks were by June Southall who introduced the Kit-catalogue equipment database, Avanti Bhide reflected on her journey of converting a category 2 to category 3 lab, and Neil Johnston talked about laboratory sustainability in the College of

Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, particularly shining a light on the critical role technicians play in institutional climate goals.

Highlights of the day:

• Attendees were left with actionable examples of sustainability that can be implemented in their own workspaces.
• The poster session showcased specific projects and innovations from various technical teams.
• Technicians had the chance to engage directly with industry suppliers, sponsors, and peers from across the sector.

The event was organised by Sally Morgan (UoE), Charli Corcoran (Stirling), Marie Anne Pringle (UWS), Lynne Lumsden (Aberdeen) and Susie Cook (UoE), and would not have been possible without the support of generous sponsorship from SISO, Starlab, Filamentive Ltd., PHC Europe B.V., UniGreenScheme, Greiner Bio-One Ltd., BE Uniforms, Eppendorf and Unite the Union, alongside the University of Edinburgh’s College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, College of Science & Engineering, Information Services Group, Social Responsibility & Sustainability, and Corporate Services Group.

Tessa Moses, TSC Newsletter Coordinator and EdinOmics Facility Lead

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