Staff news

Principal pledges support to technical staff

The vital contributions that technical staff make to University life have been recognised at an event in McEwan Hall.

Hundreds of staff joined Principal Professor Peter Mathieson for the launch of a plan setting out the University’s commitment to supporting technicians.

The two-year plan builds on the University’s previous support for a UK-wide initiative that addresses key challenges affecting technical staff.

Key roles

Edinburgh signed the Technician Commitment in September 2017 to recognise the key role played by technical staff in research, teaching and supporting students.

The University employs around 1000 technicians working across a range of subject areas. 

Supporting technicians

The Technician Commitment aims to help technicians gain recognition through professional registration, and to support opportunities for career progression.

The initiative also aims to ensure that the contributions made by technicians are visible within and beyond their institution, and that technical expertise is fully utilised across organisations.

The Technician Commitment is led by a steering group of higher education bodies, with support from the Science Council and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s Technicians Make it Happen campaign.

I’m delighted that the University of Edinburgh took a leading role in supporting the Technician Commitment. Now we have to turn that support into actions that benefit our technical staff.

Professor Peter MathiesonPrincipal and Vice-Chancellor

Related links

Support for technicians

Technician Commitment