Technically Edinburgh Podcast

In this Behind the Network episode, we talk with Tabea from the Scottish Research Technicians’ Professional (SRTP) Academy and Claire from the RELAX project.

Both initiatives, funded by InFrame's Culture Catalyst Fund, are tackling some of the biggest challenges facing research technicians today: career development, visibility, recognition, and building stronger professional communities.

Together, they share how their projects are supporting technicians across Scotland, creating new opportunities for collaboration, and shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for technical staff in research.

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SRTP: 

SRTP Academy webpage:

Registration link: 

LinkedIn

X: @GerlachTabea

Bluesky: @gerlachtabea.bsky.social

In this Behind the Network episode, we talk to Shonna Johnston about the UK Technology Specialists Network (TSN), growing community for technology specialists working across higher education and research.

The TSN is all about sharing best practice, knowledge, and skills, while also creating innovative career development opportunities for those in technical and digital roles. Shonna explains how the network is helping to connect members, raise visibility of their expertise, and support the technology specialists who work in higher education.

If you’re a technology specialist or simply curious about how this community is evolving, this episode will give you insight into how TSN is building connections and supporting careers.

Technology Specialists Network

TSN on LinkedIn in

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In this Behind the Network episode, we’re joined by Amelia Dingley and Neil Guthrie to explore the CASES Technical Special Interest Group from the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES).

This Special Interest Group provides a dedicated space for technicians in sport and exercise sciences and supporting roles to connect, share expertise, and gain recognition for their essential role in research, teaching, and innovation.

Amelia and Neil talk about the network’s origins, how it supports technical staff, and the opportunities available for those working in this growing field.

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In this Behind the Network episode, we speak with Bill Surradge, from the IST Scottish Network.

The Institute of Science & Technology (IST) has a long history of supporting technical professionals, and the Scottish Network was created to provide a local hub for technicians across Scotland. Bill shares how the network brings technicians together to exchange knowledge, foster career development, and strengthen the voice of technical professionals within Scottish higher education and beyond.

Whether you’re looking for community, professional recognition, or opportunities to connect with peers, the IST Scottish Network is here to support you.

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In this Behind the Network episode, we sit down with Marie Daniels, Programme Manager for UK RAS STEPS (UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems Platform). Marie shares how the network is supporting research technical professionals in robotics and autonomous systems, by building skills, creating connections, and giving visibility to the technicians driving innovation.

From knowledge exchange placements and international visits to special interest groups and national showcases, UK RAS STEPS is transforming the way technical staff are supported and celebrated.

Tune in to hear how the network is creating opportunities for technicians across the UK to thrive and how you can get involved.

Find out more:

Website

Linked In 

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In this episode of Behind the Network, Lee and Charli chat with Aimee-Louise Wilkin and Aimee Parker from Durham University about the Early Career Technician Network.

This network was created to give early career technicians a space to connect, share experiences, offer advice, and support each other in developing their careers.

 Learn more and join the community here

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In this first episode of our Behind the Network mini-series, Lee and Charli speak with Sally Morgan, Chair of the Technician Steering Committee at the University of Edinburgh, about the newly formed Scotland Technician Network.

Created to address the unique challenges of Scotland as a devolved nation, the network aims to strengthen connections, provide support, and build visibility for the Scottish technical community.

Sally shares why the network was set up, what it hopes to achieve, and how technicians across Scotland can get involved.

If you’re a University of Edinburgh technician and would like more information or to be part of the Scotland Technician Network, get in touch at Technician.Network@ed.ac.uk

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Anne-Marie Coriat began her career as a technician before completing her PhD, taking on roles in strategy and then joining the University of Edinburgh as the College Registrar in  the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.  Anne-Marie is also the Senior Sponsor for the Technician Steering Committee. 

Hosts Lee Murphy and Charli Corcoran chat to Anne-Marie about her career journey and some of the challenges facing technicians at this time. 

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Technician Week 2025 is only a month away! But what is it? This episode covers what Technician Week is, what events are available for the University of Edinburgh Technicians and why Edinburgh Techs should get involved!

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One week on from the Scottish Technical Conference 2025, we’re excited to share a special episode of the podcast featuring reflections, insights, and highlights from an incredible line-up of speakers who took part in the event.

From big-picture strategy to personal experiences and sector-wide updates, this episode captures the energy and ambition of the conference — and showcases the vital role of technicians in higher education.

Hear from:

 🔹 Professor Frank Coton – Senior Vice Principal and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), University of Glasgow

 🔹 Daniel Johnson MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Business & Fair Work

 🔹 Janet Milne – Development Adviser, University of Strathclyde

 🔹 Neil Guthrie – NTDC Specialist Advisor, Edinburgh Napier University

 🔹 Charmaine Lim & Zain Ul Abidin – InFrame Community Knowledge Analyst

 🔹 Ed Bowerman – Technician Technical Training Manager, UKITSS

 🔹 Frances Medaney – Scottish Research Cultures Collaboration Manager

 🔹 Professor Nicholas Forsyth – Vice-Principal (Research), University of Aberdeen

If you attended the conference, relive some of the best moments. If you didn’t, this is a brilliant way to catch up on what you missed!

A short announcement from Technically Edinburgh and our friends at University of Liverpool Tech Talk announcing our appearance at the Higher Education Technicians Summit in July. 

We will be recording a live episode with special guest Kelly Vere, and we will be releasing it where ever you get your podcasts in July, so don't miss out!

Sally Morgan, the School of Engineering's Technical Manager and Chair of our Technician Steering Committee, joins us to discuss the upcoming Scottish Technical Conference.

Mike Capeness is the Lab Manager for Professor Louise Horsfall’s lab in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. With a background in microbiology and a career that began as a trainee technician at the University of Nottingham, Mike has built up a wide range of experience in lab management, health and safety, training, purchasing, sustainability, and research. He has a strong interest in the varied nature of technical careers and in promoting technician visibility and recognition. Mike recently won a College of Science and Engineering Staff Recognition Award in the Sustainability category for his work leading greener lab practices and sharing best practice across the community. 

Charli and Lee chat to Laurence Dawkins-Hall about professional registration for technicians.  Find out what it is, why you should consider it and how the university can support your application in this feature-length episode with our special guest. 

Laurence Dawkins-Hall is a professional registration assessor and mentor for the Science Council alongside his job as a laboratory technicians.  He has also won awards for his contributions to STEM education, recently being awarded the Life Time Achievement award from Lab Innovations.

Laurence joins us to discuss his experience of professional registration, the positive impact that it can have on your career and how we can get started on our applications.

In Episode 7 part 1 and 2, we are joined by Paul Strachan, the Deputy Manager and NACWO for the BVS Aquatics Facility, based at the Queens Medical Research Institute.Paul chats to hosts Imogen and Charli about his role managing a team of technicians at the facility, the work that they facilitate, how the technician landscape is changing at the university and why fish are the future.

We had so much to say about why fish are amazing that we had to split the episode into two parts. 

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In the 6th Episode of Technically Edinburgh we are joined by Marta Esquiva Diaz, a research technician in the Baker lab in Cardiovascular Sciences (CVS) in the Queens Medical Research Institute. Marta moved to the UK in 2019 after completing her degrees in Spain and worked in industry for a few years before joining the University earlier this year.  She chats to Charli and Imogen about the challenges that she faced moving to a different country, how working in industry has helped prepare her for working at the university, and the work she is doing now.

Check out the link to MITalent's Winterfest 

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Selina Aragon from the Sustainable Software Institute joins hosts Lee Murphy and Charli Corcoran to discuss their upcoming Research Software Camp, running from the 18th - 29th November 2024 with the theme Digital Skills for Research Technical Staff

Selina talks to us about what research software is, who works with it, why its important for technicians to be able to access training in research software and how it can help with technical career progression.

Useful links: More information/Register for the camp: https://www.software.ac.uk/training/research-software-campsContact SSI: info@software.ac.uk

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Dr David Brown is the Estates and Technical Manager for the School of Chemistry.  He won the 2024 Technician Award for Contributions to Infrastructure and Facilities for his efforts in helping the school to overcome the challenges caused by losing access to large areas of lab and office space due to RAAC.  David talks to hosts Lee Murphy and Charli Corcoran about his career, what he enjoys about his current work and his Technician Award.

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Lindsay Jarvis is a Clinical Skills Teaching Technician at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine.  She chats to Lee and Charli about her experiences of secondments, her application to be an Associate Fellow of the HEA, the Edinburgh Technical Collaboration's mentoring scheme and her experience of Imposter Syndrome.

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Edith Paxton is a Core Scientist at the Roslin Institute.  She won the 2023 University of Edinburgh Technician Award for Contribution to Research and Innovation for her work on Trypanosoma, her contributions to managing a research space and her recognition on numerous papers over the last few years.  Edith talks to us about her work, her career and her recent recognition.

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Our very first episode of Technically Edinburgh has hosts Lee Murphy and Charli Corcoran chatting to Sarah Little, an Anaesthesia Assistant from the University of Edinburgh's Small Animal Hospital, part of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.  Sarah was shortlisted for the 2023 Technician's Award for Contributions to the University's Culture, Community and the Environment and in this episode, she talks to us about her experiences, her role and what technician recognition means to her.

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Read Sarah's 'Day In the Life' Blog