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A commitment to technicians at Harper Adams has led to the University hosting a knowledge exchange for a Laboratory Manager from Sussex.

Declan Axon, who manages the laboratories at Plumpton College, was invited to take part in the exchange after meeting Harper Adams’ Senior Laboratory Technician and Labs Outreach Officer Jane Cooper at a networking event hosted by the .

He said: “It was very much by chance.

“I was looking for ways I could develop my career and skills and I was searching for contact details for my former course leader when I was doing my masters - and I found a section of their website dedicated to the Technician Commitment.

“Through that, I found the ITSS just in time to sign up for some of their SpringFest CPD sessions including their session Networking for Technicians who hate networking.

“I just happened to be sorted into a breakout room with Jane Cooper and it was the first time I had talked with another technician covering the same topics I did. This led to a very helpful online meeting between me, Jane and Dr Victoria Talbot, after which we agreed to apply for the ITSS funded knowledge exchange.”

During his packed visit, Declan was able to immerse himself in the work of the Laboratories team – as well as discover more about research, teaching and learning at Harper Adams.

He said “I observed processes, facilities and equipment to find ways that I can more efficiently manage our labs at Plumpton, as well as ways we can develop our lab provision. I also practiced certain lab techniques such as PCR and gel electrophoresis to improve my abilities.

“I attended the Teaching and Learning conference to attend sessions such as Best Practices in Technical Teaching and Pass the Practice to discover practices we can implement in the labs I manage.

“Finally, I gave a presentation to the Laboratory Team on effective SharePoint and Microsoft Power Automate/Power Apps usage in technical management and training. I have quite a few bespoke systems I have developed to give me more time away from the computer and demonstrated to the team at Harper how they work and the basics of how to make their own.

“I am very impressed by the facilities and the overall staff commitment to research. The grounds and locations are both very scenic and every member of staff I have interacted with were extremely welcoming and helpful and made me feel at home – and the food was also top notch!”

Having enjoyed a busy week with the Harper Adams team, Declan says he will be taking ‘so many things’ back to his institution to improve his work there.

He added: “I have nearly filled my little notebook. I have a shopping list of little bits of kit, supplies and processes to implement that will improve our lab techniques.

“I have also gained valuable experience with different laboratory instruments which I will use to train our staff and students. I will be bringing some of the practices and information showcased at the Learning and Teaching conference back to my colleagues to inform our technical teaching strategies.”