Give technicians their due

Better recognition and opportunities for technical staff would improve research culture, says Catrin Harris

Ask researchers and students about the role of technicians in research and universities, and you will hear that they are “vital”, “very helpful and knowledgeable” and “imperative to the functioning of a healthy department”. More than four-fifths of academics see technicians as a crucial part of the research team.

Many technicians, however, experience things differently. Academics may be “dismissive” and “condescending and insulting”, seeing them as “somehow ‘different’ from the rest of the team”. Nearly two-thirds think they do not get enough credit for their contributions.