Andrew is the Head of Research Strategy and Development for the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London. In this role he actively champions the importance of Research Technical Professionals, Research Software Engineers and other research enhancing roles and the impact they have on the quality of the research conducted within the faculty. Prior to joining Imperial, he spent 18 years working for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council the last five of which were spent as the Head of Capital Infrastructure where he played a leading role in the promotion of RTPs within the EPSRC infrastructure portfolio and more widely across UKRI.
Natalie is a senior research fellow and bioanalytical chemistry who leads the Mass Spectrometry Core at the University of Edinburgh, developing tools for small molecule biological and clinical research studies. She applies mass spectrometry to biological questions, with a particular love of steroids including comparative endocrinology. She is passionate about team science, core facilities and the Technician Commitment and is keen to raise visibility and recognition of the whole team and their contribution to science. She is a member of the BBSRC people and talent strategy advisory panel Research Technical Professional subgroup. She is a founding member of the UK Technology Specialists Network and excited to be involved as a co-applicant on the TSN-ROKS ESPRC-funded project.
I am a Co-Investigator for the X-CITED programme, providing support across multiple workpackages. In my substantive role, I lead the GW4 Talent and Skills Programme, which provides sector-leading development opportunities for postgraduate researchers and early career researchers, as well as initiatives that enhance the inclusivity of our research cultures. I draw on long-standing experience in higher education and expertise in learning and development to ensure our innovative programmes meet the needs of their audiences, complement institutional provision, and respond to shifts in the national landscape. Prior to joining GW4, I worked for the University of Bristol Doctoral College as the Postgraduate Researcher Development Adviser after completing a PhD in History at the University of Bristol in 2016.
I am the project lead for the X-CITED programme with specific responsibility for the delivery of the Industry Challenge Projects and ensuring that the programme delivers for all our stakeholders. I am also the Director of Research Infrastructure and Facilities at the University of Bath, overseeing the strategic direction for all our capital and digital research infrastructure in support of our researchers and students, and ensuring that they have the necessary tools needed to progress their research in our priority areas of Digital, Health & Wellbeing, and Sustainability. My remit at Bath also extends to overseeing the strategy and operations of the centralised multi-user Core Research Facilities. The expertise and technology in these facilities provide critical support to researchers from Bath and beyond and are also accessible to industry. All research infrastructure relies on expert technical staff, not only to deliver the services but also to enable and accelerate the research and innovation. Prior to becoming Director of Research Infrastructure and Facilities I worked as a mass spectrometrist for Bruker Daltonics in Coventry, and since coming to Bath have been an RTP and Facility Manager. Over the past 10 years I have also been on numerous UKRI Advisory Boards, funding panels and review groups, and am currently co-Chair of the Research Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Team for EPSRC. I am a proud RTP, and leading the X-CITED programme is a very tangible way I hope to continue to support the visibility and development of this community of experts.
Jo is the Technical Manager for the Technician Commitment at the University of Kent. She has worked within Technical Services at the University of Kent since 2011, supporting technical operations, frontline services, facilities, teaching and research. Her focus is on supporting and developing technicians through the implementation of the University’s Technician Commitment strategy action plan. She coordinates support for IT, Technical Services and Library Services staff across the university, as well as manages a portfolio of projects.
Jo is passionate about creating positive impact to not only all technical staff, through the championing of the Technician Commitment, but to the wider community as well. She takes part in national conversations, working groups and committees, representing Kent and the technical community. Jo has contributed to and been a part of national reports, initiatives and projects such as the NTDC Education Technical Professionals: Driving Student Success & Innovation in Technical & Technology-Focused Education report published 5th March 2025, Herschel Programme, and the Science Museum’s Technician’s Gallery Live Programme.
Other responsibilities, commitments and networks include:
- National Technician Development Centre Specialist Advisor
- ITSS UK Technical EDI Network Committee Chair
- Eastern ARC Technicians’ Network Co-Chair
- Co-I for the EPSRC funded Eastern ARC Strategic Technical Platform T-PIKE programme
- Technician Commitment Peer Reviewer Volunteer
- Co-Facilitator of the UK ITSS Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership’s Culture & Context Module with Dr Lindsay Davies
- Kent Athena SWAN Institutional Self-Assessment team member
- Kent EDI Operations Group member
- Member of the Kent Technician Network, London & Southeast TCI Network, UK Technology Specialists Network & Technical Managers in Universities (TMU) Network
Joanna is an artist outside of work and takes any opportunity to bring her creativity into her role as her work inspires her professional practice.
