Technical Services is now on LinkedIn! Please follow Manchester Metropolitan University Technical Services if you have your own LinkedIn accounts and share within your networks.
Our 2023 Conference Hub was launched in last month’s newsletter, and you can now choose your preferences for the parallel sessions by using the Microsoft Form on the Speakers’ profiles page.
Please make your choices by 26 May.
Aligns with the Technician Commitment pillar:
The nominations for our Technician Awards will be closing on 24 April. Please submit any nominations by 24 April by sending to Lucy Lloyd-Ruck, L.Lloyd-Ruck@mmu.ac.uk.
You can make nominations via our Technician Awards page on the intranet, for the following categories:
Each category award winner will receive a £50 Amazon voucher with the exception of the Lifetime Achievement award which receives a £100 Amazon voucher. All winners also receive a bespoke trophy which has been designed and made by technical staff.
Please contact Natalie Kennerley if you have any questions relating to this, n.kennerley@mmu.ac.uk
The deadline for submitting a proposal for the 2023 Technicians Awards trophy is fast approaching!
Designing the trophy is a great way to showcase your creative skills, and you can submit a proposal individually or as a team/cross faculty team.
If you are interested, then please submit your proposal to the Technical Services Conference Committee using The Technical Award Trophy form. You can submit individually or as a team. The deadline for submitting proposals is 17 April 2023.
The 2022 trophy was designed and created by: Gemma Truman (Glass Workshop), Simon Fisher (Live Technologies), and Gary Buller (Print City).
Please contact Natalie Kennerley if you have any questions relating to this, n.kennerley@mmu.ac.uk
Aligns with the Technician Commitment pillars:
Information Communications Technician Apprentice, Mikalai Chalau, has shared an introduction to himself and his experience so far as an apprentice.
After enrolling as a student at university and experiencing university life during the pandemic era, I came to the conclusion that it didn’t fit with what I wanted to do.
I joined Manchester Metropolitan University in August of 2022, firstly as an Assistant Technician in the Faculty of Health and Education, based in the Brooks building.
Due to my background and interest in technology as well as my desire to get work experience and qualifications in the technology field, I successfully applied for and later started the Information Communication Technology Apprenticeship. It has been a big change in a positive way from the zoom lectures and online laboratories I experienced while at university.
I work in the Digital Technology technical team that supports specialist computer hardware and software within the faculty of Science and Engineering and beyond. We support laptops for members of staff and offer technical support for VR/AR, robots and drones. We also develop software and Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence solutions for University Research Centres.
My specialism in my apprenticeship is Cyber Security and due to this I work with Linux, an Open-Source operating system extensively used in the IT industry and in the Department of Computing and Mathematics to teach Cyber security concepts to students.
During my time here I have worked on interesting projects such as creating a high-performance computer (HPC) out of multiple Raspberry Pi's and creating a script to help streamline and automate part of the Communication Team’s workflow.
Aligns with the Technician Commitment pillars:
In November 2022, Jake Pogson (Technical Officer in Clinical Skills) began his involvement in a research project assessing astronauts in both the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The project is led by Professor Hans Degens and Dr Andy Sanderson who are both researchers in Muscle Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University.
The purpose of the research project is to use neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the lower extremity muscles (Vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius) to reduce the rate of muscle atrophy and function during space expedition due to the lack of gravity. Working alongside Keiser Space, the project will involve pre-flight assessment of muscle function using muscle dynamometry, electrical stimulation, and electromyography (EMG). This will then be followed by training using the Motimove electrical stimulation device during an expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), and finally repeating the initial assessment to assess changes post-flight. Jake is providing technical support for equipment used during pre and post flight assessment, predominantly leading the electrical stimulation and muscle dynamometry procedures.
Preliminary testing has already begun, this has seen Jake travel to the :envihab laboratory in Cologne working alongside international researchers and astronauts from the European Space Agency (ESA).
Jake said: “The project has improved my troubleshooting skills as a technician, and I’ve found it to be a really exciting experience to be involved in”.
Jake - fifth from left in Cologne
Aligns with the Technician Commitment pillars:
To mark World Book Day this year, colleagues in Health & Education worked collaboratively to plan and deliver a teaching session to inspire children to develop a passion for reading and learning. Students chose ‘Journeys’ as the theme for books at the event, which was held in the Brooks building for 60 Year 3 and 4 children from partnership school, Rolls Crescent School in Hulme.
There were a range of activities on the day including an immersive interactive experience in the CAVE with Alistair Peat (Technical Specialist) and the DOME, a sensory experience in the drama studio and interactive activities in classrooms, based on themes from various books.
The day was a joint effort from 6+ Technical Services staff (Technical Manager Antony Tibbetts, Technical Officer Alistair Peat, Assistant Technical Officer Gareth Preston, Assistant Technical Officer Lucy Warr, Assistant Technician Jeziah Hinds, Assistant Technician Nilima Arora and Assistant Technician Jacky Gee), the STEPD Education Academic Team (Academic Lead Karen Tuzylak-Maguire) and 22 BA Year 1 Trainee Teachers. They received great feedback, with the teacher asking for more places for Year 1 teaching experience this term:
“I think his whole team and Antony need a huge pat on the back! The day wouldn’t have been half as successful as it was without them.”
“The 60 children that visited us had a wonderful experience”
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Aligns with the Technician Commitment pillars:
In January, George Gibson (Assistant Technical Officer, Bookbinding), suggested that they and fellow bookbinding technicians, as well as any keen students, take part in the 2023 #AreYouBookEnough challenge. From January - December, participants in the challenge will be aiming to create a new artist book each month, based on a single assigned word. The books are shared on Instagram using the hashtag #AreYouBookEnough, forming an international community of book artists online.
Our bindery technician’s goal is to try out a new book structure each month, so there is a larger pool of examples and methods to teach within the workshop. It’s already been an exciting process, with a student taking part in March’s challenge practicing a technique and printing method that was new to him.
If you are in another department and interested in joining in, please pop into the bookbinding workshop (CH002) or contact George. For more information, please visit Are You Book Enough.
Below are some great photos of previous months’ challenges, showing work by Caitlin Akers (Technical Officer, Bookbinding & Letterpress), Lisa Lorenz (Assistant Technical Officer, Bookbinding), Aidan Kelly (BA Graphic Design) and George:
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Aligns with the Technician Commitment pillars:
In March, Willow Dill-Russell applied for, and was successful in being appointed to the role of Technical Manager for Arts & Humanities Resource Centre, effective from 1 April 2023.
Willow started working in Marie Slater’s team in Manchester Fashion Institute during lockdown evening cover and eventually during the day as an Assistant Technical Officer, before being quickly promoted to Technical Officer, to now achieving the role of Technical Manager. This is fantastic career progression within such a short time, congratulations Willow!
Aligns with the Technician Commitment pillars:
Kitty Scott (Technical Officer, Sport) shares her experience below of being invited as alumni at Leeds Trinity University (LTU) to sit on a panel for a Women in Sport event. The event was for girls aged 16-18 in school years 12 and 13 and approximately 150 girls attended.
The panel consisted of Trauma-informed Yoga instructor Grace Moore, Lizzie Campbell from UK Coaching and Charlotte Robinson the Senior Duty Manager at the University Gym, Trinity Fitness. Keynote speakers on the day delivered inspirational messages, Lois Forsell, Head Coach for Women’s Leeds Rhinos team, Jess Learmonth MBE, Olympic gold medallist Triathlete and Anna Carter, Head Coach and Founder of Elite Netball Academy.
The panel was led by Dr Lisa Gannon, an Associate Professor at LTU, and we discussed our journeys as women in sport. We answered questions relating to opportunities and experiences that have helped us progress throughout our careers. The day was concluded with questions asked by the students in attendance who were intrigued to know who our role models were, the motivational factors behind our success and any advice we could provide to work as a woman in sport.
Overall, I believe the event motivated the attendees to strive towards future prospects and I am glad to have been a part of the panel to help inspire the young girls to achieve their best.
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Aligns with the Technician Commitment pillars:
Al Baker (Technical Officer, Photography), recently received coverage of his work on 'the last days of Hulme'. Check out the articles in the MEN and The Face recently.
Aligns with the Technician Commitment pillars:
The Institute of Science & Technology and Creative UK are pleased to announce the introduction of a new Professional Registration Framework for the technical community within the creative sector.
This work has been a collaborative national project in which the Technical Services Development Manager has played a key role. In 2018, technical staff at Manchester Met (and nationally) were given the opportunity to be part of a pilot project which has now led to the creation of this register. The pilot project sought to gain the support and interest from technical staff to undertake the Registered Practitioner accreditation – many technicians from the Faculty of Arts & Humanities engaged with this opportunity to receive this accreditation and support the first steps in the creation of this Professional Registration Framework.
Furthermore, staff were given the opportunity to feed into the creation of the competency framework (together with the wider national technical community) which has shaped this brand new register. Technicians were fundamental to ensuring the correct use of language and terminology was included in the competency framework to ensure this meets the needs of technicians within the creative sector. Those staff who undertook the Registered Practitioner accreditation will now have the opportunity to move across to this new Registration Framework (more details to follow).
Natalie Kennerley, Technical Services Development Manager said:
“I’m delighted that we have finally brought initial ideas to life in the creation of this brand new Professional Registration Framework. I am proud of Manchester Met technicians and the role they played in supporting and influencing this important work which highlights the key role technicians play within the creative sector. The register is the first of its kind specifically designed for the creative sector”
If anyone would like to know more about the register and how they can apply for the new registration, please contact Natalie directly.
The H&S Team are here to offer support, guidance, and advice in all aspects of health and safety within the University. We can provide H&S support through all stages of your work activities, from planning to reviewing and acting on lessons learnt. We provide H&S training, facilitate H&S forums, communicate guidance, investigate H&S incidents and support colleagues in delivering safety as their goal.
We support the development of a culture whereby staff and students are encouraged to take an active role in their own health and safety. Every person has a role to play in ensuring the safety of themselves and others.
Meet the Senior Health & Safety Advisers
Arts & Humanities – Craig Johnson
Working primarily with the Faculty of Art and Humanities, I provide health and safety advice and guidance to enable staff and students to put health and safety at the heart of planning, carrying out and reviewing various University activities.
Business & Law and Health & Education - Matt O’Donoghue
Working primarily with the Faculty of Health and Education and Business & Law, I provide health and safety advice and guidance to help students learn in a safe environment and staff to work safely.
Science and Engineering – Catherine Hardy
Working primarily with the Faculty of Science and Engineering, I provide health and safety advice and guidance so that staff and students are able to work and study safely – whatever they are doing, and wherever they are doing it. Please get in touch with me if you want to arrange an advisory visit or just need a hand with risk assessments, inspections, investigations or anything safety- related.
Professional Services – Kerry Knowles
Working primarily with Professional Services, I provide health and safety advice and guidance to enable staff to work safely and with regard to their health in all of their activities including any interactions with students or visitors. I aim to help staff organise, carry out and monitor activities in order to meet legal duties but also to ensure everyone leaves work healthy each day.
Upcoming health and safety training courses
The following training courses are available and be can accessed via the “What’s on” section of the Health and Safety intranet home page.
Risk assessment training:
26th April 2023
31st May 2023
Manual Handling Training:
3rd April 2023
24th May 2023
Display Screen Equipment Assessor training:
26th April 2023
17th May 2023
19th June 2023
HSE Approved First Aid at Work Course (3 days):
4th – 6th April 2023 - further details can be found on the intranet - Becoming a First Aider.
Did you know..?
April is Stress Awareness month. Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes and remedies for our modern-day stresses. Its aim is to support people in having an open conversation on the impact of stress and how stress can be reduced. The University has a range of resources to support individual wellbeing, and a toolkit for managers to deliver wellbeing reviews.
Active Listeners
Active Listeners are colleagues who volunteer to act as an informal point of contact for any staff member. Trained in Mental Health First Aid, they are a non-judgmental, confidential listening ear.
Active Listeners are also able to support you by signposting you to relevant support resources and services. You can find details of active listeners within the wellbeing webpages and contact them over the phone, by email and now video call.
Lifeworks
Sign up to LifeWorks for free, external and confidential service available to you 24/7, 365 days of the year. Already signed up? Go straight to the portal.
Aligns with the Technician Commitment pillar:
Thank you to colleagues who attended the Carbon Literacy training sessions on 20 February and 7 March. In total, 95 people took part in the training over these two days!
Please ensure that you submit your actions by completing the post-course survey before 12 April to receive your certificate.
If you have any questions when completing the survey, please email Liam Bluer, l.bluer@mmu.ac.uk
New £5.5m Institute of Technical Skills and Strategy
MI Talent have launched a new £5.5m national Institute of Technical Skills and Strategy (ITSS) which will be established from 1 August 2023. The news was announced at an event celebrating the progress and impact of the TALENT Commission, one year on. The new institute was one of the key recommendations in the flagship report.
UK ITSS will be funded by Research England, part of UKRI, and will build on the work of the Technician Commitment.
It will provide advocacy and strategic leadership for the diverse technical community, enhance skills, increase visibility and support career development for technicians. Read more and watch a video from the event.
Commission Boost Could Bring £100m in GDP
An independent report has revealed that national recommendations to strengthen the UK's technical workforce in HE and research would have significant economic benefits and could contribute more than £100m in GDP terms. Read The Economic Benefits of Implementing the TALENT Commission here.
Over the forthcoming weeks, Manchester Met will be sharing details of its new partnership with Factory International (who are behind the Manchester International Festival MIF23). This partnership will provide a wealth of opportunities that will enrich the student experience, preparing them for the world of work as well as enabling a range of collaborative research connections.
Additionally, staff at Manchester Met will be able to draw on a number of benefits including discounted Factory International membership (£30 rather than £45). There is more information available on the Intranet.
Membership offers:
To receive the discounted membership please see Factory International for more information.