Regional launches of the professional registers begin with Sheffield and York

The launches celebrate the first scientists and technicians to achieve the new designations.

The registers were showcased at the first joint conference of the Institute of Science and Technology (IST) and the National Association of Professional and Technical Specialists in Education (PTSE) which together represent much of the technical workforce in Higher Education.  

Speakers at the event, which is hosted by the University of Sheffield, included Professor Tony Ryan OBE and the Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Burnett CBE as well as presentation from HEFCE and HEaTED. 

The following week on 11th July, the focus moved to York and the Annual General Meeting of the British Measurement and Testing Association (BMTA) at the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) in York.  

In addition to the launch of the registers, the event focussed on education, training and development for laboratory and analytical staff and a tour of FERA’s impressive food and environmental research labs.  

The RSciTech and RSci registers were launched by Science Minister David Willetts last autumn and the first awards were made by Business Secretary Vince Cable at an event last month.  

Eight professional bodies are piloting the registers during the course of 2012.  

Later on in the year the Science Council will be profiling the registers across other regions of the UK. Any parties interested in co-hosting a launch event should contact the Registrar, Ali Orr.