Overview
This two‑part webinar supports Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) in navigating and overcoming barriers to publishing and professional recognition in academia. Through practical guidance and real‑world examples, RTPs will learn how to strengthen their contributions to publications and increase their visibility and impact within the academic publishing landscape.
Date: 12th March 2026 and 17th March 2026
Format: 1 hour webinar, 2-part series.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Background and motivation
The research community continues to improve recognition for RTPs. The Technician Commitment and Hidden REF initiatives have for some time been working to improve RTP visibility and acknowledgement, and The Research Excellence Framework (the UK’s system for assessing the excellence of research in UK HE institutions) in 2029 will now more formally recognise RTP contributions to research outputs. Published research is one very clear way that research is recognised and assessed. RTPs contribute to publications in a variety of ways, from delivering measurement and other research work (such as managing laboratory spaces), training and supporting research staff, to advising on research projects, being formal collaborators, and being independent researchers themselves. This 2-part webinar will discuss these aspects with a detailed overview of the publication process.
Audience
This event is open to RTPs and a Q&A opportunity will be available. If you are only able to attend only one of the sessions, you can indicate this within the registration form.
Learning outcomes
After the course participants should be able to:
- Identify the diverse ways RTPs contribute to research outputs
- Recognise common barriers that limit RTP visibility in academic publishing
- Navigate the publication process with greater confidence
- Assess how their own work can meaningfully contribute to publications
Programme
Speaker
Ben Spencer is Senior Technical Specialist and Core Facility Lead for Surface Characterisation at the University of Manchester and Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials Research and Innovation. He started his RTP career as Experimental Officer in 2015 in the Department of Materials at the University of Manchester, after completing his PhD and 4 years of postdoctoral research associate.
Organisers
March 17 2026
