SRTP Academy Symposium
Published: 9 January 2026
The SRTP Academy Symposium, held on 7 January 2026 at the University of Glasgow, brought together research technicians and colleagues from across Scotland for a lively day of talks, showcases and networking. The event highlighted the breadth of technical expertise, the importance of recognition and career development, and the growing strength of the SRTP community, leaving attendees with new connections and practical insights.
Research Technicians’ Academy Symposium – Highlights & Takeaways
7 January 2026 · Gilbert Scott Building, University of Glasgow
Written by Cristina Vazquez Martin, InFrame project coordinator, University of Glasgow.
The Scottish Research Technicians’ Professional (SRTP) Academy Symposium brought together technicians, facility leads, managers, PIs and professional services colleagues from across Scotland for a day of recognition, connection and practical learning. Featuring a thought‑provoking keynote, flash talks, poster showcases and interactive networking, the event celebrated the diversity and depth of technical expertise that underpins Scottish research.
Key Takeaways
1) A clear, confident narrative for SRTP and the Academy The opening set the wider context, how the SRTP Academy sits within InFrame and the broader SRTP work, concise yet orienting, helping attendees understand the purpose and how to get involved.
2) A keynote that resonated—and sparked follow‑on interest The keynote by Shonna Johnston (Technology & Services Director, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh) landed strongly. Attendees particularly valued her points on disrupting hierarchies, amplifying technicians’ contributions, and navigating recognition even when line‑management support varies. Many expressed interests in future opportunities to continue this conversation with the speaker.
3) Visibility, recognition and progression pathways Across talks and conversations, a recurring theme was the need for clearer, credible career routes for technicians—especially given the increasingly specialised, research‑aligned technical skillsets. Attendees highlighted the value of formal recognition, CPD, and workload models that reflect technical leadership roles and service delivery.
4) Diversity of technical work on show The flash talks and poster sessions showcased both research‑focused and project‑based contributions—an intentional mix that worked well. Examples such as inter‑/trans‑disciplinary work (e.g., in the Hunterian Museum in Anatomy) underlined the breadth of technician impact across domains and institutions.
5) Community, confidence, and practical next steps
- Early‑ and mid‑career technicians benefitted from confidence‑building, a stronger sense of belonging, and clearer next steps for development.
- Facility managers and senior technical staff gained insights on service models, training, workload recognition, and collaborative opportunities.
- PIs and professional services colleagues left with richer understanding of technician contributions and actionable ideas for recognition and crediting.
6) Networking that will continue beyond the day Interactive networking (including the Tabu game) kept energy high, especially post‑keynote. The event‑branded business cards were a quiet triumph, memorable, useful, and well‑received and will support follow‑up conversations in the weeks ahead.
7) Delivery and pacing—what to keep and what to tweak Overall energy was strongest after the keynote and during interactive elements. As is typical in many events, attention dipped slightly mid‑keynote and after lunch during dense technical talks. Future iterations may benefit from tighter time‑keeping, varied talk formats, and an interactive segment post‑lunch to reset energy levels.
What Attendees Valued
- Visibility & voice: Space for technicians to present, discuss challenges, and share practice.
- Cross‑institution links: New contacts and collaboration prospects across disciplines and universities.
- Practicality: Concrete ideas on recognition, CPD, progression pathways, and service design.
- Belonging: A welcoming environment where participants felt able to approach organisers and engage openly.
With Thanks to the Organising Team
The symposium was exceptionally well organised—from clear framing and smooth registration to well‑timed transitions and attentive hosting. Special thanks to Tabea Gerlach (Project Coordinator), whose calm, detailed coordination and approachable leadership were repeatedly mentioned by attendees as setting the tone for a welcoming, well‑run day. The business card idea deserves five stars for impact and portability to future events.
First published: 9 January 2026
