Technicians showcase their work at University event
Technical staff from across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences took part in a recent showcase event hosted by the University of Liverpool’s Technicians Network.
The Technical Showcase was held at the Central Teaching Laboratories on Thursday 30 March and gave staff and students the chance to find out more about the variety of work done by technicians from across the University.
Amongst the wide-ranging collection of stands and posters from HLS technicians was a team from the School of Medicine with ‘Bob’ the Sim-man, a £90k full-body simulator mannequin. ‘Bob’ who blinks, breathes, has a pulse and even talks, provides undergraduate students with the invaluable opportunity to practice different medical procedures in a realistic but safe environment.
Nearby were representatives from the Human Anatomy Research Centre (HARC) demonstrating how they deliver anatomy-based learning through a mix of highly-detailed plastic models and skeletons and donated bodies. They stressed that the generosity of these donors allows students to learn crucial skills and develop an understanding of the inner workings of the human body.
In addition to teaching, technicians also provide valuable services in research as explained by a team from the Veterinary Teaching suite. The team provides diagnostic services including animal post-mortems, to internal and external clients such as Chester Zoo and the British Horse Association.
The showcase proved a great networking opportunity and helped to raise the internal profile of the invaluable contribution that technicians make to teaching and research.
One of the organisers of the event Jan Brett, Technical Development and Planning Officer for HLS, said: “The University of Liverpool, as signatories of the Technician Commitment is committed to recognising and celebrating the crucial and often under-valued role that technical staff play in supporting teaching and research. This is one small way of highlighting some of that work.”