Funded by Research England, the TALENT Commission calls for a broadening of technical career entry routes across vocational and academic pathways, and increased investment in technical careers at all levels, ensuring that technical staff are involved and considered in decision making processes.
The research highlights the benefits of employers, professional bodies, government and funders collaborating to implement the proposed changes to strengthen technicians’ vital role in teaching, research and development.
The report was produced following a culmination of research including:
- The largest survey of technicians in the UK which garnered 1,766 usable responses from respondents across 90 different universities and 16 research institutions
- Analysis of Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data
- Focus groups with 27 technical managers representing 22 different institutions
- Focus with the wider technical community, with 44 participants representing 24 different institutions
- A survey of students and non-technical staff with 1,026 responses
- Three standalone independent studies exploring topics around funding, partnerships within the UK HE and R&I landscape, and emerging research technologies, utilising a range of methodologies including desk research, surveys, and stakeholder interviews.
Read the TALENT Commission here.