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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy

@uk-itss.bsky.social

190 followers 170 following 120 posts

Advocating for the technical community in higher education and research with @tech-commit.bsky.social Funded by Research England, part of @ukri.org Learn more www.itss.org.uk | Subscribe for updates http://eepurl.com/ixy59g

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Jan 23

Hello 👋

We're here to connect with the technical community in #highered #research, academics, senior leaders, research managers, funders, policymakers, professional bodies and anyone interested in championing technical careers

Why not follow @tech-commit.bsky.social too?

Graphic of Black female biochemistry technician. Graphic reads UK ITSS: the source of sector expertise on technical skills, roles and careers in higher education and research

The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 23h

100s of technicians start their mentoring journey

The Cross Institution Mentoring Scheme (CIMS-T), led by Dorothea Mangels, Lisa Bedder, and Trevor Hardy, offers specialist mentoring support for technical professionals

Read more itss.org.uk/100-technica...

The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 22d

Discover how apprenticeships can address the technical skills gap in academia and research.

Our report highlights the Growth and Skills Levy (formerly Apprenticeship Levy) is widely under-used and untapped funds could help investment into technical careers

Download the full report buff.ly/qMLJhhJ

The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Sep 9

Join the 2026 Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership✨

Enhance skills in leadership, culture and more.
Delivered January - June 2026, online
Free - sponsored by Research England
Join 1000+ technicians in the #HerschelLeaders network

➡️ Apply now: buff.ly/H17Yteb

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Sep 4

Thanks for sharing

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Sep 2

SURVEY | New LGBTQIA+ survey launched for technical professionals

Gathering experiences on comfort and inclusion at work, career progression, bullying and harassment and support at work.

📋 10 minutes | 🤫 anonymous | 🎁 win £100

👉 Take part buff.ly/1eBAWzM

The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Aug 26

📚 Keep up to date with our latest reports, insights and policy consultations online

➡️ We publish them all online here

Publications - UK ITSS

Publications, insight reports on hot topics and Government policy consultations from the UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy.

buff.ly

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Aug 26

What does sharing technical infrastructure really look like in action?

The ITSS Technical Capabilities Showcase maps 260+ technician-led facilities across the UK – unlocking access to equipment + expertise buff.ly/jFUoqF6

Funds available to access kit featured in showcase

Equipment Sharing Fund - UK ITSS

UK research professionals can apply for funding to access research technologies listed in the ITSS Technology Capabilities Showcase.

buff.ly

The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Aug 19

Have you heard of our ITSS Capabilities Sharing Showcase?

🔬 250+ items listed from state-of-the-art research facilities and specialist equipment buff.ly/MJblw3l

💷 Equipment Sharing Fund for researchers, PhD students and Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) buff.ly/CmVnWeG

The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Aug 12

EVENT | Free online workshops at AutumnFest

🎓 Careers, interview skills, shaping policy,
📅 8 - 12 September
💻 Online

Secure your place buff.ly/Uy4PI23

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Aug 7

READ | Defining "research activities"

Kelly Vere MBE, discusses future REF changes and the benefits for the technical community and people who make research possible in this blog.

🔗 Read online buff.ly/ySZSrY3

The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Aug 1

Today we celebrate two years of impact.

Together with @tech-commit.bsky.social we've continued to champion technical talent, shape national policy, and support organisations

📸 The team behind our learning and development courses, research and policy, events and operations (Credit Alex Wilkinson)

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Jul 30

📰 £40k funding for technical apprentices in physics and quantum

@durham-university.bsky.social and University of Manchester have each received £20,000 to develop new technical apprenticeship roles

Supported by @instituteofphysics.bsky.social and #EPSRC

buff.ly/XagjihR

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Jul 28

EVENT | Free workshops for technical professionals in #highered and #research

📅 AutumnFest 8 - 12 Sept
💻 Online
➡️ View full programme and secure you place today buff.ly/LbnGPsp

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Jul 25

💬 Research is powered by technical talent — and recognition is finally on the rise.

Read Kelly' Vere's personal career journey and reflections in this article published in Nature Magazine.

buff.ly/8D1x99Y

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Jul 23

This time last week at #HETS2025

11 #PapinPrizes were awarded, 2 fantastic keynote speakers and an incredible celebration cake, marking ten years of HETS

📸 Credit: Alex Wilkinson

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Jul 23

💬 UK universities are under financial strain. As institutions look to restructure, reduce costs and rethink delivery, there’s a clear need to make better use of the talent that already exists within them- Kelly Vere MBE

Wonkhe @wonkhe.bsky.social · Jul 23

NEW on Wonkhe: Too often seen as backroom staff, technical professionals are in fact key players in rethinking how universities operate. Kelly Vere explains how their insight and expertise are more vital than ever buff.ly/RU8bF1E

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Reposted by The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy

Technically Edinburgh Podcast @technicallyedin.bsky.social · Jul 21

🎙️New Episode!🎙️

Don't miss our newest episode, a live recording of our #HETS2025 workshop with the amazing Kelly Vere from @tech-commit.bsky.social

www.buzzsprout.com/2388868/epis...

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Jul 21

EVENT | Free workshops for technical professionals who want to upskill

📅 AutumnFest 8 - 12 Sept
💻 Online
➡️ Secure you place today buff.ly/LbnGPsp

Reposted by The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy

Midlands Innovation @midlandsinnovation.bsky.social · Jul 11

📢 The MI Summer Newsletter is out now! This month:

🩺 Major health inequalities report launches in Parliament—@midshealth leads call for action across the region
⚡ @EnergyRA leads Westminster #NetZeroWeek roundtable
🏆 #PapinPrize winners announced at #HETS2025

Read it here ➡ buff.ly/PpYOr00

Reposted by The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy

Babraham Institute @babrahaminst.bsky.social · Jul 11

Simon explained what motivates him about his role as head of @babraham-bioinf.bsky.social
"Working in a core facility has allowed me to see a diverse range of data and biological systems and build infrastructure and tools which can be used by many scientists both within and outside the Institute.”

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Reposted by The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy

Babraham Institute @babrahaminst.bsky.social · Jul 11

AWARD NEWS | Following Simon's award for Contribution to Research in the #PapinPrizes, our article covers just a slice of Simon's impact on the Institute's research, on #bioinformatics and on empowering researchers across the world by demystifying data analysis.

www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/07...

Dr Simon Andrews, Head of Bioinformatics at the Babraham Institute, holding a certificate and an award for the 2025 Papin Prize for Contribution to Research. Image courtesy of The UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy. Photography by Alex Wilkinson Media.

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Jul 10

Huge congratulations to all the technical professionals who were nominated - an incredible 328 individuals from 63 institutions

Read the full list of winners here buff.ly/RB4GLYi

#PapinPrizes #HETS2025

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Jul 9

#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes

The Papin Medal

A special award recognising outstanding contribution for the technical community

Congratulations to Gillian Riddell @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social

The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Jul 9

#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes

The Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to Jane Barker, University of Derby

The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · Jul 9

#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes

The Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Lifetime Achievement Award

7 outstanding technicians shortlisted