Awards opened to celebrate technicians
10 Mar 2017 by Evoluted New Media
A raft of awards highlighting the work of technicians is currently accepting nominations.
There are eight categories ranging from research to teaching, outreach and lifetime achievement. Named after Denis Papin, a 17th century technician who worked with Robert Boyle, the Papin Prizes aim to celebrate the skills, talent and experience of technicians.
The Prizes offer national recognition and award for technical services in higher education throughout the UK while raising the professional status of technicians.
Nominations can be made by any member of the higher education community including students, staff, collaborators and alumni. Technicians are deemed eligible if they are employed by a UK university either part- or full-time, on a fixed term of permanent basis.
The winners will be announced and presented with their awards at the Higher Education Technician Summit on 31st May at Warwick University. The deadline for nominations is the end of March. Nominations can be made here.
If you would like to book your place at HETS 2017, this is possible via the Warwick University website.
The Papin Prizes are carried out in conjunction with the Science Council and Midlands Innovation. Papin was known for inventing the steam digester and was one of the first technicians to publish in his own name.
The categories for the Prizes are:
- Research - A member of technical staff that has made a significant contribution to research.
- Teaching - A member of technical staff that has made a significant contribution to the student teaching and learning experience.
- Newcomer - An individual who has embarked on a technical career within the past 4 years and shown exceptional promise - for example, this may be a trainee or apprentice technician.
- Core Research Facility - A member of technical staff within a central research facility/platform that has provided exceptional skills/expertise.
- Infrastructure - A member of technical staff that has made a significant contribution to day to day infrastructure to support research and/or teaching – for example, roles may include technical staff who look after building facilities or technicians that provide key day to day services.
- Outreach/Community - A member of technical staff that has made a significant contribution to community/outreach activities.
- Technical Team - A technical team who have worked together to deliver excellence.
- Lifetime Achievement - An award to recognise continued excellence and/or significant achievements across an individual's technical career.
