Dr Ian Hancox explains Warwick's plan to develop technical specialists
Funding of £1.5million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) means that Warwick - along with co-leads from other universities - can launch training and development opportunities for technical specialists across the UK.
But what is a technical specialist? And what does this grant mean in practice? We spoke to Dr Ian Hancox - Director of Research Technology and Technical Strategy - to find out.
1) Hi, Ian. Tell us about your role and your day-to-day activities...
Ian: "My role is roughly split into three areas:
The first is a focus on the research technology available for researchers at Warwick through the Research Technology Platforms (RTPs), a department made up of 13 multi-user facilities covering a range of world-class technologies with around 55 technical specialists.
The second area is how external industry and other universities can access our technology and expertise, through schemes run by our team such as Warwick Scientific Services (WSS) and the Warwick Analytical Science Centre (WASC).
The final strand is a strategic overview of our wider technical workforce at Warwick, which includes our Technician Commitment action plan."
2) Talk us through exactly what a technical specialist is and does.
Ian: "Simply put, they have specialist knowledge and expertise - and this allows them to bring in and use technologies that can better address Warwick's research questions. They might be an expert in a particular research instrument, or a master of data analysis.
The kind of roles we're talking about might include data scientists, data engineers, archivists, statisticians, software developers, audio-visual technologists, or technical professional staff. Whatever their focus, they help Warwick to further our world-class research and teaching."
3) Warwick has been awarded £1.5million in funding to support technical specialists. What does this mean in practice?
Ian: "Our first goal is to make technical specialist roles visible as a career path across a range of levels, from school-age children through to PhD students, to help attract the technical talent of the future. For example, undergraduate students will be invited to work within a facility over the summer, to get an understanding of what skills are needed and how they can approach a career as a technical specialist.
Secondly, we're offering opportunities for technical specialists to develop their knowledge and skills nationally through tailored training. Finally, we'll help technical specialists raise the visibility of their work and facilities through funds to host conferences and instigate work with researchers in their region."
4) Fast forward five years - how might this grant have benefitted Warwick?
Ian: "I would hope that technical careers are aspired to, that our existing technology specialists have enhanced knowledge, and that the opportunities this has provided have been sustained to help career development.
I also hope that it will have helped put a spotlight on the fantastic work that the technical specialists do at Warwick and the vital role they play in our research and teaching."
5) Bonus question: describe Warwick's technician specialist community in three words...
Ian: "That’s a tough one! Expertise-led, knowledgeable and collaborative."