Edinburgh (Commonwealth Union) – Technicians are distributed across laboratories in a variety of fields playing an essential role in everyday operations from the academic sector to the industrial sector. A virtual exhibition honoring the essential function of technicians across the UK’s higher education sector was formed at Heriot-Watt University.
Titled, Technicians – The Next Generation, the online installation continues till July 2023 which was produced by Russell Wilson, who is from Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus and a Senior Technician for Sport and Exercise Science. Russell Wilson’s drive for the exhibition is a demonstration of a variety of roles and responsibilities from individuals performing the tasks, and those assisting in motivating the next generation to consider it as a career.
With Funding via the National Technician Development Centre (NTDC), he invited other technical staff to be a part of the exhibition to make sure their views are heard. “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,” Russel explained. “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.”
Currently, the exhibition features contributions from technicians from a variety of educational institutions such as, the University of Bristol and the University of Glasgow.
Russel, who was also nominated for the award, responded by stating that he was stunned and humbled in finding out that he was nominated, let alone shortlisted and also stated that it was a surprise to him and expressed his gratitude to be shortlisted together with such excellent technical colleagues from all over the UK and Ireland.
