Other writings – #technicianjourney

Defining a technician

Wordle showing frequency of words used in definitions.

There are similarities between the roles of technicians across all fields from the arts and theatre to engineering and science. So, it should be possible to create one definition to cover all technicians. This piece is the hunt for that definition – it is also still a work in progress.

Technically Speaking: a corpus linguistic study of the value of technicians

In 2020 the Science Museum in London will be opening a new exhibition all about technicians. With careful use of language, we think it can really make a difference to how technicians are perceived by others and, possibly more importantly, how they perceive and value their own work.

#TakeBackTechnician

Vibe technician. Sticker found on bin in Newcastle. Origin unknown.

This blog post may be the most niche criticism of Strictly Come Dancing ever to have been launched in to the world. But, I do love a good sequin… oh and a reference to technicians! #takebacktechnician

Otto Baumbach

Otto Baumbach in 1928

Otto Baumbach (1882-1966) was a glass blower whose work in Manchester was vital to Nobel Laureate Ernest Rutherford.

A scientist, an artist, and a technician walk into a bar

Grayson Perry, The Rosetta Vase (2011)

Science and art have always been a team effort; however, it is going to take a change in our perception of technical skill before everyone gets fully acknowledged for their contribution to that team.

A workshop for technicians, by technicians

That would be an academic matter...

A group of technicians met together to share their knowledge and skills about extractions and digests but also to discuss how to deal with laboratory users questions.

Famous Fictional Technicians

Andy Connelly searches for technicians in fiction and finds a technician-shaped hole.

A technician’s eye view of the history of science

Dug and Hognob in the Early Man movie, 2018 (StudioCanal)

Technicians are the forgotten people, the invisible members of the scientific community who almost never appear in the science text books. This is a journey through the history of science and of technicians; from pre-history right through to now.

Technicians: the oracles of the laboratory?

As a technician, I often feel like I am being bombarded with questions. This can make me feel like an ancient Greek oracle, constantly being consulted for my opinion.

The technicians’ Blue Book

Cover of the technicians blue book. Thank you to Mel Leitch from the University of Newcastle for sending me this copy.

In 1990 the Blue Book was introduced in an attempt to give university technicians a promotions structure. Here is a short history – I would love to hear from anyone with more information.