From supporting undergraduate lab sessions to solving problems that arise in multi-million-pound research projects, technical staff play a vital role in making things happen at Kent. Yet despite this, the sometimes ‘back office’ nature of their roles means their contributions are often overlooked and misunderstood. Joanna Scamp, Technical Manager for the Technician Commitment at Kent, is part of the team helping to change that.
What exactly is a technician and what do they do at Kent?
Technical staff are not just “support” for teaching and research; many are researchers and teachers in their own right. They support and, in some cases, lead teaching, research, infrastructure, and innovation. They deliver practical and technology-based skills, design bespoke sessions and projects as part of undergraduate courses and assess students’ work. In doing so, technical staff directly strengthen the practical and technology-based skills that underpin students’ employability.
Kent’s technical staff are key Health and Safety contacts and coordinators inducting and training students and staff on Health and Safety, equipment and facilities use. They lead sustainability initiatives such as LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework), for which the School of Natural Sciences was recently awarded a Bronze Award. It’s also common –and encouraged by funders- for technical staff to contribute to research and publications. Matthias van Ginneken, as an example, submitted five papers on a single day!
All of this means it is challenging to identify a definition that fully encompasses what technical staff do which makes this difficult to communicate effectively. This is not an issue isolated to Kent but one that we face as a sector. The diversity of roles was highlighted in the results of the technical skills survey we completed in 2023-2024. By supporting the Technician Commitment, we’re helping to raise awareness of the full range of technical work at Kent and beyond.
How is Kent supporting technicians through the Technician Commitment?
Kent joined the Technician Commitment in September 2017, pledging to improve the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technical careers at our institution. Our Stage 3 self-assessment and 2024–2027 Strategy and Action Plan detail past achievements and future plans.
To support the delivery of the action plan, the Technician Commitment Working Group brings together professionals who actively support, advise, and contribute to our activities. This essential group includes advocates for technical staff as well as technical staff themselves. They support all aspects of our work, review T-PIKE applications, and consistently champion our initiatives. The Technician Commitment is driven by staff engagement and ownership; its success relies on the input and voice of our technical staff. We have accomplished much, but there is more to achieve!
How does the Technician Commitment benefit the university and the communities we work with?
Adopting the Technician Commitment has enhanced support for, and development of, technical staff, enabling better research and teaching, a positive culture, an improved student experience, and stronger recruitment and retention. It is a framework that elevates the role of technical staff and extends benefits beyond the institution to the wider community.
Technical staff are skilled professionals whose expertise keeps services safe, reliable, and innovative. When they are valued, they bring consistency, quality, and leadership to projects which benefits development pipelines and enables teams to tackle complex challenges, often in collaboration with industry. This accelerates research translation, advances product development, and improves services. By supporting technical staff, we’re supporting regional growth and innovation.
The wider community also gains through partnerships with schools, colleges, and local employers which clarify pathways into technical careers (including apprenticeships, T-Levels, and placements). Technical staff serve as role models, mentors, trainers, and teachers, advancing diversity and inclusion by demonstrating accessible routes for underrepresented groups. Local economies benefit from a skilled workforce, enhanced productivity, and stronger ties between universities, industry, and public services. The Technician Commitment fosters a more effective institution and a resilient, inclusive local ecosystem, aligning internal excellence with external impact and turning technical careers into engines of community value.
Are there any particular initiatives set up as part of the Technician Commitment that stand out?
Kent is sector-leading in that my role was established specifically to support the delivery of the Technician Commitment activities and action plan.
As part of this role, I am the co-investigator for the EPSRC-funded Strategic Technical Platform, T-PIKE (Technical Platform for Innovation and Knowledge Exchange). This Eastern ARC collaboration expands opportunities for technical staff to work with external partners, strengthens inter-institutional relationships, and facilitates knowledge exchange and innovation that benefits individuals and the wider community.
One thing we have been successful in is embedding the EDI framework into T-PIKE. This is supporting accessible opportunities (e.g., disability or caring responsibilities), increasing women’s representation in leadership programmes, and ensuring access to inclusive training. Kent has technical representatives on its Athena SWAN Institutional Self-Assessment Team, EDI Operations Group and local school EDI committees. We also have technical representation on the UK ITSS Technical EDI Network.
For those considering a career as a technician, what would you say to them?
Technical careers are practical, rewarding, and essential to keeping the world running. Technicians are the doers, enablers, and problem solvers; the backbone of modern economies, delivering efficiency, reliability, and innovation. The TALENT Commission Report and the Technicians: We Make It Happen campaign illustrate their extensive positive impact on organisations and the UK economy. Technical roles celebrate mastery, continuous learning, and tangible results, with opportunities for leadership, mentoring, or entrepreneurship. These careers are action-oriented, offer multiple entry points, and are integral to teams across nearly every sector.
More information about technical staff at Kent is available on our Technical Services website. Stay updated on activities, achievements and Technician Commitment initiatives by checking out our news feed.