Recognising and developing technical talent: Strategies for growth and development

21 May 2025 09:00 - 17:00 The Royal Society Free Watch online

A conference hosted by the Royal Society in partnership with the UK Institute of Technical Skills & Strategy and Rolls-Royce.

This meeting will be hosted by the Royal Society and aims to promote and recognise the impact of technical professionals on research and development; to identify challenges to obtaining parity of esteem for technical career paths and to identify the role of technical professionals to meet the skills gaps to support innovation and increase productivity to meet current and future challenges for society and the economy.

Attending this event

This event is free to attend.

Register to access the livestream online
In-person attendance is limited and by invitation only. To request an invitation, please contact industry@royalsociety.org

Organisers

Professor Dame Athene Donald DBE FRS

Athene Donald is an emeritus Professor of Physics who is well known for her early work on synthetic polymers, concentrating on relating the structure of polymers to their function. Athene subsequently transferred her knowledge to soft matter and biological physics more broadly, developing specialised imaging techniques such as environmental scanning electron microscopy along the way.

In synthetic polymers, she studied crazing — the fine cracks that precede fracture — by exploring what determines their formation. Subsequently, she utilised X-ray scattering techniques to characterise changes that occur in the natural polymer starch upon cooking and other forms of processing. More recently she explored universal behaviour in protein aggregation (in vitro).

In 2006, she was the Bakerian Lecturer for the Royal Society. She won the 2009 L'Oreal/ UNESCO Laureate for Europe. In 2010 was awarded the Faraday Medal of the Institute of Physics and also received a DBE for services to physics. From 2013-18 she served on the Scientific Council of the ERC, and is Chair of REF2021 Interdisciplinary Advisory Council.

Beyond her research, Athene has an active interest in issues surrounding gender equality and is a former Chair of the Athena Forum, which aims to improve the situation for women in science, technology, engineering and medicine in UK higher education. Athene has twice been a member of the Society’s Council and chaired the Education Committee from 2010-2014.
Dr Kelly Vere MBE

Dr Kelly Vere MBE, is the University Director of Technical Strategy at the University of Nottingham and a leading advocate for technical skills and careers in higher education and research. She began her career in 1999 as a Junior Medical Technician and now drives the strategic direction of the University’s 500+ technical colleagues. Kelly founded and leads the Technician Commitment, a sector-wide initiative promoting visibility, recognition, career development, and sustainability for technical professionals, with over 120 institutional signatories. She also led TALENT, a £5 million Research England-funded programme advancing technical careers, which included the TALENT Commission, a landmark study on the UK’s technical workforce.

Now leading the new UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (ITSS), Kelly continues to champion the technical community, shaping policy and opportunities across the sector.
Professor Mark Jefferies

Mark brings extensive practical experience of establishing and developing complex, award winning industry-academic collaboration. He has led Rolls-Royce's strategic global academic partnerships for over a decade; a collaborative network that has grown to engage over 1,300 people including around 500 doctorate students at any one time. He has over 30 years' experience in engineering & technology roles, including leadership of multiple national and international collaborative research programmes. Mark serves on the governance boards of several multi-million pound research partnerships and works with related public and private organisations on matters of strategic investment, security, ethics, governance, and collaboration. Mark is an Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham, a Visiting Professor at Loughborough University, a professional Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Schedule

09:00-09:20 Registration

09:20-09:30 Welcome

09:20-09:30	Welcome remarks and introduction to keynote speaker Professor Dame Athene Donald DBE FRS Professor Dame Athene Donald DBE FRS Athene Donald is an emeritus Professor of Physics who is well known for her early work on synthetic polymers, concentrating on relating the structure of polymers to their function. Athene subsequently transferred her knowledge to soft matter and biological physics more broadly, developing specialised imaging techniques such as environmental scanning electron microscopy along the way. In synthetic polymers, she studied crazing — the fine cracks that precede fracture — by exploring what determines their formation. Subsequently, she utilised X-ray scattering techniques to characterise changes that occur in the natural polymer starch upon cooking and other forms of processing. More recently she explored universal behaviour in protein aggregation (in vitro). In 2006, she was the Bakerian Lecturer for the Royal Society. She won the 2009 L'Oreal/ UNESCO Laureate for Europe. In 2010 was awarded the Faraday Medal of the Institute of Physics and also received a DBE for services to physics. From 2013-18 she served on the Scientific Council of the ERC, and is Chair of REF2021 Interdisciplinary Advisory Council. Beyond her research, Athene has an active interest in issues surrounding gender equality and is a former Chair of the Athena Forum, which aims to improve the situation for women in science, technology, engineering and medicine in UK higher education. Athene has twice been a member of the Society’s Council and chaired the Education Committee from 2010-2014.

09:20-09:30

Welcome remarks and introduction to keynote speaker

Professor Dame Athene Donald DBE FRS

Athene Donald is an emeritus Professor of Physics who is well known for her early work on synthetic polymers, concentrating on relating the structure of polymers to their function. Athene subsequently transferred her knowledge to soft matter and biological physics more broadly, developing specialised imaging techniques such as environmental scanning electron microscopy along the way.

In synthetic polymers, she studied crazing — the fine cracks that precede fracture — by exploring what determines their formation. Subsequently, she utilised X-ray scattering techniques to characterise changes that occur in the natural polymer starch upon cooking and other forms of processing. More recently she explored universal behaviour in protein aggregation (in vitro).

In 2006, she was the Bakerian Lecturer for the Royal Society. She won the 2009 L'Oreal/ UNESCO Laureate for Europe. In 2010 was awarded the Faraday Medal of the Institute of Physics and also received a DBE for services to physics. From 2013-18 she served on the Scientific Council of the ERC, and is Chair of REF2021 Interdisciplinary Advisory Council.

Beyond her research, Athene has an active interest in issues surrounding gender equality and is a former Chair of the Athena Forum, which aims to improve the situation for women in science, technology, engineering and medicine in UK higher education. Athene has twice been a member of the Society’s Council and chaired the Education Committee from 2010-2014.

09:30-09:50 Keynote

09:30-09:50	Keynote Professor Sir Jim McDonald GBE FREng University of Strathclyde Professor Sir Jim McDonald GBE FREng University of Strathclyde Professor Sir Jim McDonald joined Strathclyde University in 1984 following seven years in the power industry and was appointed to the Rolls-Royce Chair in Electrical Power Systems in 1993. He became Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde in March 2009. He chairs two of the pan-Scotland research pools in Engineering and Energy. He sits on the Scottish Enterprise Board and the UKTI Energy Excellence Board. He co-chairs - with the First Minister - the Energy Advisory Board. He is Chairman of the Independent Glasgow Economic Leadership Board and the Board of the Glasgow Science Centre. He is Vice-President of the UK’s Institution of Engineering and Technology and is a Non-Executive Director of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Board. In the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours List on 16 June 2012, Professor McDonald was awarded a Knighthood for services to education, energy and the economy. In September 2013 Professor McDonald received the “Outstanding Contribution as a Business Leader”, recognition at The Herald’s Inaugural Inspiring City Awards event.

09:30-09:50

Keynote

Professor Sir Jim McDonald GBE FREng

University of Strathclyde

Professor Sir Jim McDonald GBE FREng

University of Strathclyde

Professor Sir Jim McDonald joined Strathclyde University in 1984 following seven years in the power industry and was appointed to the Rolls-Royce Chair in Electrical Power Systems in 1993. He became Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde in March 2009.

He chairs two of the pan-Scotland research pools in Engineering and Energy. He sits on the Scottish Enterprise Board and the UKTI Energy Excellence Board. He co-chairs - with the First Minister - the Energy Advisory Board. He is Chairman of the Independent Glasgow Economic Leadership Board and the Board of the Glasgow Science Centre. He is Vice-President of the UK’s Institution of Engineering and Technology and is a Non-Executive Director of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Board.

In the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours List on 16 June 2012, Professor McDonald was awarded a Knighthood for services to education, energy and the economy. In September 2013 Professor McDonald received the “Outstanding Contribution as a Business Leader”, recognition at The Herald’s Inaugural Inspiring City Awards event.

09:50-10:00 Overview from the organisers

09:50-10:00	Overview from the organisers Dr Kelly Vere MBE UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy Dr Kelly Vere MBE UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy Dr Kelly Vere MBE, is the University Director of Technical Strategy at the University of Nottingham and a leading advocate for technical skills and careers in higher education and research. She began her career in 1999 as a Junior Medical Technician and now drives the strategic direction of the University’s 500+ technical colleagues. Kelly founded and leads the Technician Commitment, a sector-wide initiative promoting visibility, recognition, career development, and sustainability for technical professionals, with over 120 institutional signatories. She also led TALENT, a £5 million Research England-funded programme advancing technical careers, which included the TALENT Commission, a landmark study on the UK’s technical workforce. Now leading the new UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (ITSS), Kelly continues to champion the technical community, shaping policy and opportunities across the sector. Professor Mark Jefferies Rolls-Royce plc Professor Mark Jefferies Rolls-Royce plc Mark brings extensive practical experience of establishing and developing complex, award winning industry-academic collaboration. He has led Rolls-Royce's strategic global academic partnerships for over a decade; a collaborative network that has grown to engage over 1,300 people including around 500 doctorate students at any one time. He has over 30 years' experience in engineering & technology roles, including leadership of multiple national and international collaborative research programmes. Mark serves on the governance boards of several multi-million pound research partnerships and works with related public and private organisations on matters of strategic investment, security, ethics, governance, and collaboration. Mark is an Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham, a Visiting Professor at Loughborough University, a professional Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

09:50-10:00

Overview from the organisers

Dr Kelly Vere MBE

UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy

Dr Kelly Vere MBE

UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy

Dr Kelly Vere MBE, is the University Director of Technical Strategy at the University of Nottingham and a leading advocate for technical skills and careers in higher education and research. She began her career in 1999 as a Junior Medical Technician and now drives the strategic direction of the University’s 500+ technical colleagues. Kelly founded and leads the Technician Commitment, a sector-wide initiative promoting visibility, recognition, career development, and sustainability for technical professionals, with over 120 institutional signatories. She also led TALENT, a £5 million Research England-funded programme advancing technical careers, which included the TALENT Commission, a landmark study on the UK’s technical workforce.

Now leading the new UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (ITSS), Kelly continues to champion the technical community, shaping policy and opportunities across the sector.

Professor Mark Jefferies

Rolls-Royce plc

Professor Mark Jefferies

Rolls-Royce plc

Mark brings extensive practical experience of establishing and developing complex, award winning industry-academic collaboration. He has led Rolls-Royce's strategic global academic partnerships for over a decade; a collaborative network that has grown to engage over 1,300 people including around 500 doctorate students at any one time. He has over 30 years' experience in engineering & technology roles, including leadership of multiple national and international collaborative research programmes. Mark serves on the governance boards of several multi-million pound research partnerships and works with related public and private organisations on matters of strategic investment, security, ethics, governance, and collaboration. Mark is an Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham, a Visiting Professor at Loughborough University, a professional Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

10:10-12:00 Session 1: Supporting technical careers

7 talks

Chair

Luke Logan FREng

Luke Logan Consulting Ltd

10:10-10:20	Introduction from the chair Luke Logan FREng Luke Logan Consulting Ltd Luke Logan FREng Luke Logan Consulting Ltd
10:15-10:25	Title to be confirmed Stuart Evans Rolls-Royce plc Stuart Evans Rolls-Royce plc
10:25-10:35	Title to be confirmed Professor Ian Prior University of Liverpool Professor Ian Prior University of Liverpool
10:35-10:45	Title to be confirmed Dr Aline Tabib-Salazar The Institute of Cancer Research Dr Aline Tabib-Salazar The Institute of Cancer Research Aline leads the Institute of Cancer Research's £1 million Wellcome Institutional Funding for Research Culture (IFRC) award. Through this they are i) piloting a scientific apprenticeship scheme as an alternative entry route into the technical talent pipeline and ii) designing and delivering two new multi-institutional training programmes to enhance the skills and knowledge of mid and senior level research technical professionals. Aline obtained her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Sussex in 2012 before working as a research scientist at Sussex, Imperial, and ICR. Since her PhD, she has consistently sought to foster collaboration, working and publishing across multi-disciplinary teams and organisations. She aspires to enhance research culture, technical training, and excellence in the scientific community.
10:45-11:00	Break
11:00-11:10	Title to be confirmed Amelia Kowalewska The Francis Crick Institute Amelia Kowalewska The Francis Crick Institute
11:10-11:20	Title to be confirmed
11:20-12:00	Panel discussion Stuart Evans Rolls-Royce plc Stuart Evans Rolls-Royce plc Professor Ian Prior University of Liverpool Professor Ian Prior University of Liverpool Dr Aline Tabib-Salazar The Institute of Cancer Research Dr Aline Tabib-Salazar The Institute of Cancer Research Aline leads the Institute of Cancer Research's £1 million Wellcome Institutional Funding for Research Culture (IFRC) award. Through this they are i) piloting a scientific apprenticeship scheme as an alternative entry route into the technical talent pipeline and ii) designing and delivering two new multi-institutional training programmes to enhance the skills and knowledge of mid and senior level research technical professionals. Aline obtained her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Sussex in 2012 before working as a research scientist at Sussex, Imperial, and ICR. Since her PhD, she has consistently sought to foster collaboration, working and publishing across multi-disciplinary teams and organisations. She aspires to enhance research culture, technical training, and excellence in the scientific community. Amelia Kowalewska The Francis Crick Institute Amelia Kowalewska The Francis Crick Institute

12:00-13:00 Lunch

13:00-14:00 Session 2: Technician case studies

5 talks

Chair

Dr Kelly Vere MBE

UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy

13:00-13:10	Introduction from chair and feedback from 3 April workshop Dr Kelly Vere MBE UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy Dr Kelly Vere MBE UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy Dr Kelly Vere MBE, is the University Director of Technical Strategy at the University of Nottingham and a leading advocate for technical skills and careers in higher education and research. She began her career in 1999 as a Junior Medical Technician and now drives the strategic direction of the University’s 500+ technical colleagues. Kelly founded and leads the Technician Commitment, a sector-wide initiative promoting visibility, recognition, career development, and sustainability for technical professionals, with over 120 institutional signatories. She also led TALENT, a £5 million Research England-funded programme advancing technical careers, which included the TALENT Commission, a landmark study on the UK’s technical workforce. Now leading the new UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (ITSS), Kelly continues to champion the technical community, shaping policy and opportunities across the sector.
13:10-13:20	Title to be confirmed Dr Hajra Bibi University of Dundee Dr Hajra Bibi University of Dundee
13:20-13:30	Title to be confirmed Tyler Harvey-Cowlishaw University of Nottingham Tyler Harvey-Cowlishaw University of Nottingham Tyler Harvey-Cowlishaw is a laboratory technician at the University of Nottingham’s School of Life Sciences and a passionate advocate for science apprenticeships. She began her career as an apprentice laboratory technician, balancing hands-on scientific work with study—all while navigating the challenges of being a young mother. Her journey has showcased her dedication, resilience, and commitment to making science more accessible. As the founder and chair of the Science Apprenticeship Forum, Tyler actively supports apprentices and influences policy within the scientific community. Her efforts in championing apprenticeships have earned her notable recognition, including the Royal Society of Biology’s Apprentice of the Year Award (2022) and the Science Council’s Apprentice Ambassador Award (2023). Through her work, she continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientists.
13:30-13:40	Title to be confirmed Professor Andrew Filby Newcastle University Professor Andrew Filby Newcastle University
13:40-14:00	Panel discussion Dr Hajra Bibi University of Dundee Dr Hajra Bibi University of Dundee Tyler Harvey-Cowlishaw University of Nottingham Tyler Harvey-Cowlishaw University of Nottingham Tyler Harvey-Cowlishaw is a laboratory technician at the University of Nottingham’s School of Life Sciences and a passionate advocate for science apprenticeships. She began her career as an apprentice laboratory technician, balancing hands-on scientific work with study—all while navigating the challenges of being a young mother. Her journey has showcased her dedication, resilience, and commitment to making science more accessible. As the founder and chair of the Science Apprenticeship Forum, Tyler actively supports apprentices and influences policy within the scientific community. Her efforts in championing apprenticeships have earned her notable recognition, including the Royal Society of Biology’s Apprentice of the Year Award (2022) and the Science Council’s Apprentice Ambassador Award (2023). Through her work, she continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientists. Professor Andrew Filby Newcastle University Professor Andrew Filby Newcastle University

14:00-14:10 Break

14:10-15:10 Session 3: Policy and recognition

5 talks

14:10-14:15	Introduction from the chair
14:15-14:25	Title to be confirmed
14:25-14:35	Title to be confirmed Professor Charlotte Deane MBE Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Professor Charlotte Deane MBE Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Charlotte Deane MBE is a Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Oxford and the Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). From 2022 to 2023, Charlotte was Chief AI Officer at Recursion (previously Exscientia), a biotech with ~450 employees, where she led its computational scientific development. She served on SAGE, the UK Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and acted as UK Research and Innovation’s COVID-19 Response Director. At Oxford, Charlotte leads the Oxford Protein Informatics Group (OPIG), who work on diverse problems across immunoinformatics, protein structure and small molecule drug discovery; using statistics, AI and computation to generate biological and medical insight. Her work focuses on the development of novel algorithms, tools and databases that are openly available to the community. These tools are widely used web resources and are also part of several Pharma drug discovery pipelines. Charlotte is a member of several advisory boards and has consulted extensively with industry. Additionally, she has established a consulting arm within her research group as a way of promoting industrial interaction and use of the group’s software tools.
14:35-14:45	Title to be confirmed Professor Andy Long Northumbia University Professor Andy Long Northumbia University Andy joined Northumbria University in August 2022, having served as Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Nottingham University. Previously he was Dean and then Pro Vice-Chancellor for Engineering at Nottingham from 2011-18, and also Chair of the Executive Management Group for Midlands Innovation, a partnership of the research-intensive universities in the region. He was also a Director of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. Andy is currently a member of the Research England funded UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy Advisory Board. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2019.
14:45-15:10	Panel discussion Professor Charlotte Deane MBE Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Professor Charlotte Deane MBE Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Charlotte Deane MBE is a Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Oxford and the Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). From 2022 to 2023, Charlotte was Chief AI Officer at Recursion (previously Exscientia), a biotech with ~450 employees, where she led its computational scientific development. She served on SAGE, the UK Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and acted as UK Research and Innovation’s COVID-19 Response Director. At Oxford, Charlotte leads the Oxford Protein Informatics Group (OPIG), who work on diverse problems across immunoinformatics, protein structure and small molecule drug discovery; using statistics, AI and computation to generate biological and medical insight. Her work focuses on the development of novel algorithms, tools and databases that are openly available to the community. These tools are widely used web resources and are also part of several Pharma drug discovery pipelines. Charlotte is a member of several advisory boards and has consulted extensively with industry. Additionally, she has established a consulting arm within her research group as a way of promoting industrial interaction and use of the group’s software tools. Professor Andy Long Northumbia University Professor Andy Long Northumbia University Andy joined Northumbria University in August 2022, having served as Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Nottingham University. Previously he was Dean and then Pro Vice-Chancellor for Engineering at Nottingham from 2011-18, and also Chair of the Executive Management Group for Midlands Innovation, a partnership of the research-intensive universities in the region. He was also a Director of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. Andy is currently a member of the Research England funded UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy Advisory Board. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2019.

15:10-15:30 Break

15:30-16:15 Session 4: Next steps

Chair

Clare Viney

Careers Research & Advisory Centre & Vitae

15:30-16:15	Panel discussion John Nicolson University of Cambridge John Nicolson University of Cambridge Dr Malcolm Skingle CBE, GSK Dr Malcolm Skingle CBE, GSK Malcolm has BSc in Pharmacology/Biochemistry and a PhD in Neuropharmacology. He has gained a wide breadth of experience in the management of research activities and has more than 60 publications including articles on the interface between industry and academia. For more than two decades he has managed Academic Liaison at GSK managing staff in the UK and US. His role involves close liaison with several groups outside the company e.g. Government departments, research and funding councils, small biotechnology companies and other science-driven organisations. He sits on many external bodies and several UK university department advisory groups. He also chairs several groups including the Diamond (Synchotron) Industrial Advisory Board, the Science Industry Partnership addressing skill needs for scientists in England and the ABPI group working on academic liaison. Malcolm was awarded a CBE in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of his contribution to the pharmaceutical industry as well as an Honorary Professorship from the College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham and honorary degrees from the Universities of Dundee and Hertfordshire. Michelle Rea Gatsby Foundation Michelle Rea Gatsby Foundation

15:30-16:15

Panel discussion

John Nicolson

University of Cambridge

Dr Malcolm Skingle CBE, GSK

Malcolm has BSc in Pharmacology/Biochemistry and a PhD in Neuropharmacology. He has gained a wide breadth of experience in the management of research activities and has more than 60 publications including articles on the interface between industry and academia. For more than two decades he has managed Academic Liaison at GSK managing staff in the UK and US. His role involves close liaison with several groups outside the company e.g. Government departments, research and funding councils, small biotechnology companies and other science-driven organisations. He sits on many external bodies and several UK university department advisory groups. He also chairs several groups including the Diamond (Synchotron) Industrial Advisory Board, the Science Industry Partnership addressing skill needs for scientists in England and the ABPI group working on academic liaison.

Malcolm was awarded a CBE in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of his contribution to the pharmaceutical industry as well as an Honorary Professorship from the College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham and honorary degrees from the Universities of Dundee and Hertfordshire.

Michelle Rea

Gatsby Foundation

16:15-16:30 Closing remarks

16:15-16:30	Closing remarks

16:30-17:00 Refreshments and networking

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