The national awards that recognise and celebrate the work of technicians in higher education are now open for 2025 nominations, with a new award for Apprentice and another for Sustainability announced.

Ten Papin Prizes will be presented at the UK Higher Education Technicians Summit (HETS) which is taking place on Wednesday 9 July 2025 at the Leonardo Conference Centre in Leicestershire. Categories are:

Apprentice
A member of technical staff who has either recently completed, or is currently engaged, in an apprenticeship programme.

Contribution to Knowledge Exchange
A member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to delivering knowledge exchange and innovation activities on behalf of their institution.

Contribution to Research
A member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to research.

Contribution to Teaching
A member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to the student teaching and learning experience.

Excellence in Sustainability
A member of technical staff who has engaged in sustainable practices within the environment they operate in and has been involved in meaningful activities to reduce environmental impact.

Infrastructure and Facilities  
A member of technical staff who supports or maintains infrastructure or facilities within an institution. They have made sustained day-to-day contributions to operational activity to support teaching, research, and/or the general institutional environment within their field.

Best Newcomer
An individual who has embarked on a technical career within the past four years and shown exceptional promise – for example, this may be a trainee or apprentice technician.

The national awards that recognise and celebrate the work of technicians in higher education are now open for 2025 nominations, with a new award for Apprentice and another for Sustainability announced.

Ten Papin Prizes will be presented at the UK Higher Education Technicians Summit (HETS) which is taking place on Wednesday 9 July 2025 at the Leonardo Conference Centre in Leicestershire. Categories are:

• Apprentice
  A member of technical staff who has either recently completed, or is currently engaged, in an apprenticeship programme.

• Contribution to Knowledge Exchange
  A member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to delivering knowledge exchange and innovation activities on behalf of their institution.

• Contribution to Research
  A member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to research.

• Contribution to Teaching
  A member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to the student teaching and learning experience.

• Excellence in Sustainability
  A member of technical staff who has engaged in sustainable practices within the environment they operate in and has been involved in meaningful activities to reduce environmental impact.

• Infrastructure and Facilities  
  A member of technical staff who supports or maintains infrastructure or facilities within an institution. They have made sustained day-to-day contributions to operational activity to support teaching, research, and/or the general institutional environment within their field.

• Best Newcomer
  An individual who has embarked on a technical career within the past four years and shown exceptional promise – for example, this may be a trainee or apprentice technician.

• Outreach/Community
  A member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to community/outreach activities.

• Technical Team
  A technical team which has worked together to deliver excellence.

• The Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Lifetime Achievement Award
  An award to recognise continued excellence and/or significant achievements across an individual’s technical career.

Find out more and nominate

HETS 2025 is sponsored by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Midlands Innovation.