Inspirational technicians from Northumbria University,
Newcastle, have just been shortlisted for the UK’s only award ceremony
dedicated to celebrating technical excellence and innovation in higher
education and research.
The Papin Prizes are among the most highly regarded awards
for technicians in the higher education sector, celebrating the varied and
valuable role they play in research and teaching. A record-breaking 357
individuals and teams were nominated this year, with 62 being shortlisted
across 10 categories.
Northumbria technicians Johnny Hayes, Karen Haggerty and
Denise Crawford were shortlisted for their contributions to the knowledge
exchange, teaching and outreach community categories respectively. They will now
go on to the awards ceremony at the Higher Education Technicians
Summit on July 4 at the University of Warwick – an event staged in partnership
this year with UK Research and Innovation.
Based in the
industrial design team at Northumbria, Johnny Hayes has been recognised for his
environmental work and in particular his contributions to the Flipflopi
Project, a model sailing boat made from 100% recycled plastics including 30,000
discarded flip flops, that is travelling the world to encourage greater
sustainability. As part of this he also took part in a major research and
knowledge exchange trip to the Kenya in 2022, helping a local community
establish a ‘Material Recovery, Recycling, and Production Facility’ and a
‘Heritage Boat Building and Training Centre’. The recycling facilities are the
first of their kind in the region.
Applied Sciences senior
technician Karen Haggerty has been shortlisted for her contribution to teaching
and enhancing the learning experience for students diagnosed with the
development disability Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She developed a series
of storyboard scripts for the chemistry lab practicals, providing a visual
step-by-step guide helping students with ASD understand what was required. Feedback
has been so positive that Karen’s storyboard concept is now being offered to other
students, including those whose first language isn’t English.
Denise Crawford is
a senior technician in Northumbria School of Design’s fashion department. She
was an integral part of the University team who collaborated with the local NHS
trust to design and produce thousands of pieces of personal protection
equipment PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. During this time
Denise also received news that her grandson was suffering from a brain tumour.
To help him, she started altering his T-Shirts to make him more comfortable
during his treatment by allowing the nurses easier access to feedlines
implanted in his chest. Many of the nurses commented on how innovative her idea
was, so in her own time and with her own money Denise began amending clothing
for other poorly children at the paediatric ward. She has also brought in iconic
fashion brands like Barbour to donate clothing and support the community
initiative, and with ongoing help from the rest of the fashion team Denise’s
project is expanding and making a difference for more children.
Commenting on the
shortlistings, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at
Northumbria Professor Louise Bracken, said: “The
contribution our technicians make to research and teaching is a fundamental
part of the University’s success, and essential to the learning experience, positive
outcomes enjoyed by our students and undertaking quality research. Each of our
three technicians who have been shortlisted for the Papin prizes exemplify
these qualities. They are all truly inspirational and we wish them every
success in the awards ceremony next month.”
Dr Kelly Vere, Project Lead for MI
TALENT – an organisation that advances status and opportunity for technical
skills - said: “The Papin Prizes have fast become one of the most highly
regarded awards for technicians in our sector. Many congratulations to all
individuals and teams who have been nominated and thank you to the colleagues
who nominated outstanding technicians and have helped to raise the profile and
status of technicians within the sector.”
Frances Burstow, Director for Talent
and Skills at UKRI said: “The Papin Prizes are the only awards wholly dedicated
to celebrating the varied role of technicians and the valuable work they do to
support teaching and research across all levels and disciplines. Marking the
achievements and impact of this valuable community will help to create a more
inclusive and dynamic research community.”
The Papin Prizes are named after Denis
Papin, a 17th century technician who worked with Robert Boyle. Papin invented
the steam digester and was one of the first technicians to publish in his own
name.
