Resources

The Tech Magazine is the official magazine of IST, evolving from the original e-Newsletter launched in 2015 into a fully established publication in 2020. Today, it serves as a vibrant platform for member voices, sector updates, expression pieces, and industry insight.

With contributions from across the community, the magazine captures the energy, developments, and conversations shaping our field, and continues to grow from strength to strength.

Founded as a magazine by JP Ashton-Kinlin in 2020 for the Institute, building on the earlier e-Newsletter edited by Natalie Kennerley and Kevin Oxley, it continues under his editorship today.

The Journal has been the official scholarly publication of IST since 1955. It provides a platform for in-depth research, technical analysis, and archival contributions that document both the development of the profession and the wider technical landscape.

Featuring work from members and contributors across the sector, the Journal reflects decades of expertise, innovation, and professional discourse.

Over the years, the Journal has been guided by dedicated editorial leadership (from Ian Gray to Ian Moulson and now with JP Ashton-Kinlin), ensuring its continued relevance while honouring its long-standing academic tradition.

Creative UK (Official Partner)

Creative UK is a national organisation supporting the growth and development of the UK’s creative industries. Through investment, business support, innovation programmes, and sector advocacy, Creative UK champions creative talent and enterprise across the country.

IST members working at the intersection of technical practice, innovation, and the creative sector are encouraged to explore Creative UK’s programmes, networks, and funding opportunities.

EU CEN_CENELEC (Official Liaison Partner)

CEN and CENELEC are the recognised European standardisation organisations responsible for developing and maintaining harmonised standards across a wide range of sectors, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Through its liaison partnership with CEN and CENELEC in relation to AI, the IST contributes to discussions surrounding technical standards, governance, safety, and responsible innovation. IST members working in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and standards development are encouraged to engage with the evolving European AI standards landscape and consider how these frameworks support ethical, robust and accountable professional practice.

HEaTED (Official Partner)

Higher Education & Technical Educational Development (HEaTED) offers a broad range of professional development opportunities designed specifically for technical staff. Through training, events, and sector collaboration, HEaTED supports ongoing skills development and career progression within higher and technical education.

These resources complement IST’s mission by supporting continuous learning and strengthening technical expertise across the community.

NTDC (Official Partner)

The National Technician Development Centre (NTDC) provides sector-leading resources to support the development, recognition, and progression of technical staff.

IST members are encouraged to explore NTDC materials, research, and development frameworks that strengthen professional practice across higher education and technical roles.

*The Technician Development Fund includes three funding streams: the Project Fund (open in June), the Wellbeing Fund (open in July), and the Professional Membership Fund (open in August).

Science Apprenticeship Forum (Official Partner)

The Science Apprenticeship Forum brings together employers, professional bodies, training providers, and sector representatives to support the development and promotion of high-quality science and technical apprenticeships across the UK. The Forum helps shape apprenticeship standards, share best practice, and strengthen technical career pathways.

IST members are encouraged to explore apprenticeship opportunities and engage with the Forum’s work to support skills development, workforce growth, and progression into professional registration and technical careers.

Science Council (Official Partner)

The Science Council represents the scientific community across the UK. It works to advance science and its application for public benefit, setting professional standards and awarding professional registrations such as Registered Scientist (RSci), Registered Science Technician (RSciTech), and Chartered Scientist (CSci).

IST members are encouraged to engage with the Science Council’s professional standards framework and registration pathways, which support recognition and career progression.

TMU (Official Partner)

Technical Managers in Universities (TMU) is a national network that supports senior technical professionals and managers working across higher education institutions. TMU provides opportunities for collaboration, leadership development, knowledge exchange, and discussion of strategic issues affecting technical services and facilities.

IST members involved in technical leadership, operations, and management are encouraged to connect with TMU’s community and events to share experiences, develop professional networks, and contribute to the future of technical leadership within higher education.

UBMA (Official Partner)

The University Bioscience Managers’ Association (UBMA) is a professional network supporting technical and operational staff working within bioscience departments across higher education. UBMA promotes collaboration, knowledge sharing, professional development, and the advancement of technical expertise within the bioscience community.

IST members working in laboratory, research, teaching, and technical management roles are encouraged to engage with UBMA’s network, events, and resources to support professional growth and exchange best practice.

The IST is proud to be an official supporter of the Technician Commitment, a national initiative that promotes the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technicians across higher education, research, industry and beyond. For more than 75 years, the IST has championed the technical workforce through professional registration, professional development, networking opportunities and recognition programmes. By supporting the Technician Commitment, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring technicians receive the acknowledgement, opportunities and support they deserve throughout their careers, helping to strengthen and sustain the technical profession for future generations.

Sustainability and the Environment responsibility are integral to technical excellence in modern research, industry, and education. The IST recognises that how we design, operate, procure, and innovate has a direct impact on environmental outcomes. We are committed to embedding sustainable thinking across technical practice and supporting our members in delivering measurable, responsible change.

From global policy developments to practical laboratory implementation, this section brings together authoritative reports, sector guidance, and evidence-based frameworks from the UK and worldwide. These curated resources are designed to help members understand regulatory expectations, net zero strategies, biodiversity commitments, circular economy approaches, and sustainable infrastructure planning.

By equipping our community with high-quality insight and practical tools, we aim to ensure that environmental responsibility is not an add-on to technical work, but a core component of it.Natalie Kennerley and Kevin Oxley, it continues under his editorship today.

Apprentice Technicians

The Education Technician Apprenticeship Standard (Level 3) was developed to address a recognised gap in technical career pathways within the higher education (HE) sector. Initiated by the National Technician Development Centre (NTDC), the Standard provides a multidisciplinary, entry-level framework of generic technical skills applicable across research and teaching disciplines. Developed in collaboration with technical and HR colleagues from universities including Birmingham, Reading, Bristol, Sheffield Hallam, Sheffield, and Newcastle, alongside NHS Clinical Simulation Based Education teams, the Standard was approved on 14 January 2021 following significant sector engagement and alignment with IfATE requirements.

The 18-month apprenticeship establishes a core set of technical duties, knowledge, skills, and behaviours, with additional elements specific to HE and NHS settings. It supports teaching and research technicians across all disciplines and provides a flexible foundation for long-term technical career progression within higher education.

Education, Research & Specialist Technician Professionals

Technical roles within higher education are often complex, with inconsistent titles, responsibilities, and progression routes creating uncertainty across the sector. The Higher Education Technical Taxonomy (HETT) addresses this challenge by providing a clear, structured framework that maps career pathways from entry level to leadership. Roles are aligned to incremental bands based on technical skills and capabilities, ensuring relevance to practice and inclusivity across all disciplines, including the creative arts.

Supported by the HE Technical Competency Framework and mapped against HERA, Hay, and other national standards, HETT underpins both the Education Technician Professional (ETP) and Research Technician Professional (RTP) pathways. The framework is available free to NTDC Partner Affiliates and includes consultation support from the NTDC team.

The University of Liverpool (UoL) has also introduced a comprehensive promotion pathway for specialist technical and research support staff. 

CV and Resume Support

HEaTED’s one-to-one Career Development Sessions provide personalised support for technical professionals looking to progress, change direction, or strengthen their professional profile. These tailored sessions offer confidential, practical guidance to help individuals clarify career goals, explore new opportunities, and build confidence in their next steps.

A key focus of the sessions is CV and application support, helping participants effectively present their technical expertise, experience, and achievements. Available exclusively to technicians from HEaTED member institutions, which includes IST members.

Codes of Conduct

The IST requires its members to uphold the highest standards of professional integrity, ethical practice, and legal compliance. Members must act responsibly toward employers, colleagues, the public, and the environment; maintain professional competence; comply with safety and data protection legislation; avoid discrimination or misuse of position; and protect the reputation and good standing of the Institute. Chartered and Registered members are required to follow the IST Professional and Personal Development (PPD) scheme.

The IST operates formal Disciplinary, Complaint, and Appeals Procedures to ensure accountability and fairness. The Executive may invoke disciplinary action where the Code is breached, a complaint process is available for concerns relating to IST representatives, and applicants or registrants may appeal decisions regarding membership or registration.

PPD Guidance

The IST requires its members to uphold the highest standards of professional integrity, ethical practice, and legal compliance. Members must act responsibly toward employers, colleagues, the public, and the environment; maintain professional competence; comply with safety and data protection legislation; avoid discrimination or misuse of position; and protect the reputation and good standing of the Institute. Chartered and Registered members are required to follow the IST Professional and Personal Development (PPD) scheme.

The IST operates formal Disciplinary, Complaint, and Appeals Procedures to ensure accountability and fairness. The Executive may invoke disciplinary action where the Code is breached, a complaint process is available for concerns relating to IST representatives, and applicants or registrants may appeal decisions regarding membership or registration.

IST Technical Conference Archive

The IST Technical Conference brings together technical professionals, researchers, leaders, and educators to explore emerging challenges, practical innovations, and the evolving role of the technical workforce. Each event delivers focused, high-quality content designed to inform practice, stimulate discussion, and strengthen professional networks across sectors.

This archive provides access to previous conference programmes and review papers, capturing the breadth of topics, speakers, and insights that have shaped our discussions. It serves as a lasting knowledge resource for members who wish to revisit key themes, track sector developments, or build on the evidence and ideas presented at past events.

Unite the Union. The Institute recognises that members may wish to access a range of professional advice, representation, or workplace support services outside of the Institute.

For information about trade union representation within the UK’s technical and education sectors, members may wish to consult:

UK-RAS STEPS is a national initiative supporting skills development, professional standards, and career pathways across the UK robotics and autonomous systems sector.

Through engagement with UK-RAS STEPS, the IST supports the development of capability frameworks and workforce progression in robotics, AI, and intelligent systems. IST members working in robotics, automation, and emerging technologies are encouraged to explore UK-RAS STEPS resources and contribute to strengthening professional standards within the sector.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Science (EDIS) is a coalition hosted by the British Science Association working with partners like the Francis Crick Institute and Wellcome Trust to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in science and health research careers and outcomes.

Women in STEM (WISE) is a longstanding UK campaign (now part of the Institution of Engineering and Technology) focused on enabling women’s participation and success in science, technology, engineering and maths sectors.

techUK have developed a programme and working groups aimed at expanding diverse talent pipelines, supporting inclusive workplaces and attracting under-represented groups into technology careers.

IST Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to innovation, creativity, and professional excellence across the technical workforce. As the Institute of Science & Technology, we champion representation, equity, and belonging across STEMM, Creative Industries and Artificial Intelligence Technologies, ensuring our community reflects the diversity of the society it serves.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive professional environment where different perspectives, identities, talents, and experiences are valued and supported.

Discover how we are embedding diversity and inclusion across our work, partnerships, and professional practice.