This summer sees the return of the Higher Education Technicians Summit (HETS) - the UK’s biggest conference for university and research institute technicians.

The largest event of its kind in the country, HETS will take place at the University of Birmingham on 25 June, and provides an unrivalled opportunity for higher education and research technical staff to share best practice, network with fellow technicians and celebrate success through the awarding of the Papin Prizes at a prestigious ceremony at the event.

The conference itself will organised around a range of key topics, and will also discuss broader issues around technical skills and education, including the importance of technicians in driving forward innovation, and the latest initiatives to ensure the future provision of technical education to young people.

The event will also see anthropologist, author and TV presenter Alice Roberts take the stage as keynote speaker.

HETS is sponsored by Midlands Innovation, a partnership of eight universities - Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick, in partnership with the Science Council. To register for HETS 2019, or to nominate a technician for the Papin Prizes (closing date: 20 February), visit the website.