Technically Scotland

Technically Scotland Podcast at the University of Glasgow Technician Commitment Conference 2026

In this special conference episode, host Lee Murphy attends the University of Glasgow Technician Commitment Conference 2026, speaking with a range of conference presenters and poster exhibitors from across the technical community.

The conversations explore the projects, initiatives and innovations being showcased throughout the conference, giving listeners insight into the diverse and vital roles technicians play in supporting research, teaching and student experience. From professional development and collaborative working to technical excellence and knowledge sharing, our guests discuss the work behind their presentations and posters, along with the impact it is having within their institutions and beyond.

Join us as we shine a spotlight on the people, ideas and achievements that make the technical community such an important part of the higher education landscape.

Hear from: 

Professor Jo Gill - Vice Principal, University of Glasgow

Jennifer Cassels - Technician Commitment Community Network (TCCN)

Tendai Makuwatsine - Technician Commitment Managers Network (TCMN) Connect

Simon Breeden - UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (UK ITSS)

Dr Claire Wilson - Technical Services Manager – Analytical Services

Dr Ianto Jocks - Poster Competition Winner

Jenny Haggarty - Poster Presenter

Hosted by Lee Murphy
Recorded at the University of Glasgow Technician Commitment Conference 2026
Produced by Technically Scotland Podcast

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Technician Week is returning for 2026 and it's going nation!

This year, the week will be celebrated across Scotland, with many of the countries HEIs and research institutions holding events and celebrations throughout that time. 

The week is coordinated by TechNet Scotland and you can find more at www.technetscotland.co.uk/technician-week

Technically Scotland Podcast is proud to sponsor Technician Week Scotland

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Our latest Technically Scotland episode features Cameron Wyatt, zebrafish technologist, facility manager, and academic lead for engagement at the University of Edinburgh. Cameron brings a brilliant mix of expertise, humour and creativity to public engagement — from tackling tricky conversations about animal research ethics to helping technicians recognise the value of their own contributions.

One of his standout messages is “Don’t talk down what you do”  
Technicians are experts, and their work is essential to Scotland’s research ecosystem. This episode dives into how technicians can get involved in outreach, build confidence, and make science more open, accessible and fun.

Cameron also shares a preview of his Edinburgh Fringe show, It All Went Wrong At Legs, where he blends science and comedy to celebrate zebrafish and the people who work with them

Grab tickets for Cameron’s Fringe shows:
22nd August: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-provocateurs-it-all-went-wrong-at-legs-age-old-story

25th August: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-provocateurs-a-disease-by-any-other-name-it-all-went-wrong-at-legs

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Thank you to the Technician Commitment for sharing their episode 'In Conversation with Tim Savage' with us.

In this special episode, Podcast hosts Charli Corcoran and Michael Bayliss are joined by special guest Dr. Tim Savage. Tim is a consultant and photographer with a wealth of experience leading and managing technical services in the creative arts, as well as being author of the upcoming book ‘Technical Teaching in Higher Education: Insights from the Creative Arts’, releasing on 1 July 2026.

The episode explores Tim’s journey from photography and technical practice into leadership, research and sector advocacy, touching on the moments that shaped his thinking about technical teaching in higher education. Charli, Michael and Tim discuss the blurring boundaries between technical and academic roles, the challenge of technician imposter syndrome, and the importance of understanding and recognising the value of technical teaching.

Pre-order a copy of Technical Teaching in Higher Education: Insights from the Creative Arts by Tim Savage: ⁠https://www.routledge.com/Technical-T... ⁠
Discount code: 26AFLY2 (valid until end September 2026)

Read Tim Savage and Kelly Vere’s research article 'Why is it problematic for technicians to say they teach in higher education?': ⁠https://journal.aldinhe.ac.uk/index.p...

Read Tim’s AdvanceHE blog ‘Reflecting on the recognition of the contribution of technicians in Teaching Excellence narratives’: ⁠https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/news-and...

Learn more about the Technician Commitment: ⁠https://www.techniciancommitment.org....

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In this series, hosts Lee Murphy from the University of Edinburgh, and Charli Corcoran from the University of Stirling, meet technicians from across Scotland who are driving sustainability in their institutions. 

In the final episode we are stepping back and bringing those conversations together.  We are joined by Susie Cook, Sustainability Implementation Manager at the University of Edinburgh and Charlie Baker, Research Fellow at the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy.  Together, they bring perspectives from both implementation and research and help us to explore what this all means at a broader level, and what needs to happen next.

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In this series, hosts Lee Murphy from the University of Edinburgh, and Charli Corcoran from the University of Stirling, meet technicians from across Scotland who are driving sustainability in their institutions. 

In the fifth episode, we ask our guests what sustainability related training they have had access to, and what training they would like to see made available. We also delve into what one thing they think would make a big difference to technicians trying to drive sustainability initiatives forward.

Hear from: 

Michael Capeness, Laboratory Manager, University of Edinburgh

Marie Ann Pringle, Technical Manager, University of the West of Scotland

Zephyr Liddell, Print and Dye Technician, Glasgow School of Art

Abby Ireland, Teaching Technician, University of Glasgow

Mira Novakova,  Institute Laboratory Manager, University of Edinburgh

Christine Surradge, Plant and Animal Technician, Edinburgh Napier University

Elisa Garcia Wilson, Sustainability Officer, University of Dundee

This podcast is funded by the Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund

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In this series, hosts Lee Murphy from the University of Edinburgh, and Charli Corcoran from the University of Stirling, meet technicians from across Scotland who are driving sustainability in their institutions. 

In the fourth episode, we ask our guests what opportunities they have to share best practice in their own institutions, throughout Scotland and with UK networks.

Hear from: 

Michael Capeness, Laboratory Manager, University of Edinburgh

Marie Ann Pringle, Technical Manager, University of the West of Scotland

Zephyr Liddell, Print and Dye Technician, Glasgow School of Art

Abby Ireland, Teaching Technician, University of Glasgow

Mira Novakova,  Institute Laboratory Manager, University of Edinburgh

Christine Surradge, Plant and Animal Technician, Edinburgh Napier University

Elisa Garcia Wilson, Sustainability Officer, University of Dundee

This podcast is funded by the Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund

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In this series, hosts Lee Murphy from the University of Edinburgh, and Charli Corcoran from the University of Stirling, meet technicians from across Scotland who are driving sustainability in their institutions. 

In the third episode, we ask our guests if the work that technicians are doing in their institute is visible (and visibly done by technicians) and what recognition they are given for the work they are doing - which, remember, is often not part of their job descriptions.

Hear from: 

Michael Capeness, Laboratory Manager, University of Edinburgh

Marie Ann Pringle, Technical Manager, University of the West of Scotland

Zephyr Liddell, Print and Dye Technician, Glasgow School of Art

Abby Ireland, Teaching Technician, University of Glasgow

Mira Novakova,  Institute Laboratory Manager, University of Edinburgh

Christine Surradge, Plant and Animal Technician, Edinburgh Napier University

Elisa Garcia Wilson, Sustainability Officer, University of Dundee

This podcast is funded by the Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund

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In this series, hosts Lee Murphy from the University of Edinburgh, and Charli Corcoran from the University of Stirling, meet technicians from across Scotland who are driving sustainability in their institutions. 

In the second episode, we will delve into the kind of work our guests are doing in more detail, consider what kind of support technicians might get to do this work in sustainability, and find out if technical voices are involved in the decision making around sustainability.

Hear from: 

Michael Capeness, Laboratory Manager, University of Edinburgh

Marie Ann Pringle, Technical Manager, University of the West of Scotland

Zephyr Liddell, Print and Dye Technician, Glasgow School of Art

Abby Ireland, Teaching Technician, University of Glasgow

Mira Novakova,  Institute Laboratory Manager, University of Edinburgh

Christine Surradge, Plant and Animal Technician, Edinburgh Napier University

Elisa Garcia Wilson, Sustainability Officer, University of Dundee

This podcast is funded by the Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund

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In this series, hosts Lee Murphy from the University of Edinburgh, and Charli Corcoran from the University of Stirling, meet technicians from across Scotland who are driving sustainability in their institutions. 

In this first episode, we will be discussing the work that our guests have been doing, and asking the important question of 'is this work actually in our job descriptions?'

Hear from: 

Michael Capeness, Laboratory Manager, University of Edinburgh

Marie Ann Pringle, Technical Manager, University of the West of Scotland

Zephyr Liddell, Print and Dye Technician, Glasgow School of Art

Abby Ireland, Teaching Technician, University of Glasgow

Mira Novakova,  Institute Laboratory Manager, University of Edinburgh

Christine Surradge, Plant and Animal Technician, Edinburgh Napier University

Elisa Garcia Wilson, Sustainability Officer, University of Dundee

This podcast is funded by the Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund

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