House of Lords event celebrates the progress of the Technician Commitment

IRR Technology and Services Director, Shonna Johnston, was invited to a House of Lords event to celebrate progress in recognising the important contributions of research technical professionals.

The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (ITSS) 3 year impact report launch, was held at the House of Lords this June. The UK ITSS was established in August 2023 to advocate for the technical workforce and is underpinned by a £5.5million grant from Research England. 

Shonna is one of the founding members of Technology Specialist Network (TSN) which is supported by UK ITSS funding. The network provides access to bespoke learning and development opportunities for the Research Technical Professionals community. It also facilitates knowledge exchange through TSN Research Technical Professional Opportunities, Knowledge and Skills (ROKS), a £1.8M project funded by EPSRC.

The House of Lords event was hosted by Kelly Vere, Director of UK ITSS, Lead for the Technician Commitment and Director of Technical Skill and Strategy at Nottingham University, which hosts ITSS.  

Speakers included Labour MP Dame Chi Onwurah, who is Chair of the House of Commons: Science, Technology and Innovation Committee as well as key research and academic leaders.  Dame Onwurah oversees parliamentary scrutiny of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), focusing on the long-term sustainability of scientific infrastructure and research grants. 

Dame Chi Onwurah giving a speech behind a lectern and in front of the event's banner
Dame Chi Onwurah

The evening event was an excellent opportunity to meet peers from across the UK, discussing technical roles, opportunities and progress. The event was a testament to the positive future impact UK ITSS can have for technicians. 

Shonna Johnson IRR Technology & Services Director
TSN Committee Members in attendance at the event
TSN Committee Members in attendance at the event

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