198 technicians from 54 higher education and research institutions have completed a pioneering national technical leadership programme.
The Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership is designed for technicians to help address the lack of women in technical management and leadership roles within the higher education, research and innovation technical community.
It is the third time this pioneering national programme has been offered to technicians, who identify as women, which is funded by Research England and delivered by the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy.
The six-month programme concluded with a celebration event in Nottingham on 18 July 2024.
Participants who completed the programme reflected on the changes they had experienced, with many gaining renewed confidence, having successfully applied for new jobs and leadership opportunities.
Verity Cleary, Specialist Costume Technician from Central Saint Martins completed the programme and has since published a research paper in the Art, Design & Communication in Higher Education Journal.
She said: “The programme really empowered me and highlighted the importance of recognition and celebrating the work we, as technicians and women.
“The research paper addresses recognition for teaching technicians in the creative arts; completing the leadership programme at the same time as this paper embedded the importance of getting the technical voice heard.”
Keynote speaker, Professor Sarah Sharples, Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Transport shared her personal career journey, insights and experiences.
She said: “Programmes like this are absolutely essential; there is something very special about having the opportunity to learn from other women.”
She encouraged the participants to embrace authentic leadership adding: “I get to work with the most amazing people and I’m proud to maintain my values and lead authentically.”
Professor Carole Mundell, Director of Science, European Space Agency delivered an inspiring keynote talk at the celebration event.
She said: “Technicians are hidden superheroes who have, for decades, played a mission-critical role in the space sector, keeping people safe and providing technical leadership.
“The Herschel Programme provides recognition for technical professionals and a strong network of technical leaders which I hope will be a force for the future.”
Her advice to the audience of 198 was to “build a culture of learning, make time for you, learn your physical and cognitive limits and, just say yes to opportunities.”
Dr Kelly Vere, MBE University Director of Technical Strategy for the University of Nottingham added:
“This pioneering programme gives women technical professionals space to learn new tools, develop skills and prepare for future leadership aspirations.
“198 technical professionals completed the 2024 Herschel Programme, which is now in its third year. This programme wouldn’t be possible without the remarkable team effort from multiple institutions who have helped to design this high-quality programme and deliver more than 90 hours of training.
“Within just over 30 months, we have created a vibrant network of 700 women technical leaders from over 100 unique organisations. I hope our Herschel Leaders continue to share their new knowledge, experiences and skills within their institutions and their peers.”
Contributions on the day were also made by Claire Cawthorne, Herschel Programme Director, University of Nottingham and Helen McNamara, Director of Organisational & People Development for the University of Nottingham chaired a panel discussion with facilitators Janet Marshall, Sarah Allen, Sarah Wappatt and Jade Christie.
Kelly added:
“I extend a heartfelt thanks to those who helped to deliver to the programme’s modules; Emily Thorpe, Lindsay Davies, Sandy Sparks, Emma Colley, Jenny Wilkinson, and Joanna Scamp and Fiona Roberston from the Herschel class of 2023.”
The 2024 celebration event took place on 18 July 2023 at the University of Nottingham.
Applications for the 2025 programme open in September 2024. Find out more