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Awards and other opportunities

As a technician, there are many opportunities to have your skills recognised with awards and similar schemes, nationally, regionally, and locally. Some current opportunities are detailed here.

Royal Society Hauksbee Award

For 2023, the Royal Society Hauksbee Award will be awarded for outstanding achievements in science to an individual or team whose work is mostly ‘behind the scenes’ or in support, including technicians, research office staff or other contributors who might not normally be recognised. Nominations close on Friday 24 February 2023 at 3pm GMT.

Find out more about the Hauksbee Award

Times Higher Education Awards - Outstanding Technician of the Year

The Times Higher Education (THE) Awards have returned, and nominations are open for the prestigious Outstanding Technician of the Year Award, sponsored by the Technician Commitment.

This award will be given to an individual whose exceptional practical skills, commitment and vision have enabled the highest quality teaching, research or knowledge transfer.

Entry window: 6 April to 12 June.

Find out more about the Outstanding Technician of the Year Award

UK HIGHER EDUCATION TECHNICIAN SUMMIT 2023 - PAPIN PRIZES

The Papin Prizes recognise the invaluable role played by technicians in higher education and research. Their aim is:

  • To provide national recognition and reward for excellence in technical services
  • To raise the professional status of technician

Categories include: 

  1. Contribution to Teaching
  2. Contribution to Research
  3. Newcomer (individuals must have embarked on a technical career within the past four years - for example, this may be a trainee or apprentice technician who has shown exceptional promise.)
  4. Core Research Facility
  5. Covid-19 Recognition (an individual or team who has played a significant role in the response of their institution to Covid-19)
  6. Outreach/Community
  7. Contribution to Infrastructure (for example, technical staff who look after building facilities or staff that provide key services to support day to day laboratory/workshop activities)
  8. Technical Team
  9. The Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Lifetime Achievement Award

Submit a nomination for the Papin Prize

The deadline for nominations is Tuesday 31 January 2023. The winners will be announced and the awards will be presented at the 2023 UK Higher Educations Technician Summit.

HE Bioscience Technician of the Year Award

About the award 

The Higher Education Bioscience Technician of the Year is an annual award seeks to recognise the superb work of technical staff, which underpins the bioscience research and teaching at all levels in universities across the UK and Ireland.

The award recognises technical staff who are:

  • Applying professional technical knowledge and expertise 
  • Acquiring and effectively applying personal/professional development 
  • Making a positive impact and inspiring others 
  • Demonstrating leadership and collaboration 
  • Delivering innovation and efficiency

Find out more about Bioscience Technician of the Year

IOP Technician Award

The IOP Technician Award enables the community to recognise and celebrate the skills and experience of technicians and their contribution to physics.

Find out more 

IET Technician of the Year Award

The Institution of Engineering and Technology Technician of the Year Award is to recognise individuals who stand out from their peers and have made noteworthy achievements in their area of expertise. This award celebrates individuals who are role models to others and who are passionate about engineering. 

Find out more about IET awards