Notes on ‘How do art and design technicians conceive of their role in higher education?’ by Clare Sams published in Spark Journal.

It’s interesting to read other technicians’ opinions on their roles. This article just demonstrates how many different responsibilities a technical role entails – I could relate to most of the individual experiences that were presented. Because this job role is so varied (student facing – non-student facing, being workshop-based vs being studio based, physical and/or digital practice), it might be difficult to research the ‘complete technical experience’ – there might not that many common denominators. 
The study identified 3 key themes that came up in the survey: supporting / helping / teaching. It would be interesting to separate these aspects from actual roles, because I have a feeling that IRL there might be different combinations existing. I also feel like these 3 key themes could be dissected in smaller chunks. 
For example, teaching doesn’t only include ‘how to use artefacts in their own creative practice’. I spend much time talking to students on deciding if and which artefact could be used in their practice, based on the context of their idea. Artefacts can be also used in more than one specific way, and identifying which method the students wants to use, depends not necessarily on their skill but also on how the position themselves as a practitioner. Often, I have a rich exchange with students on their general research and idea and together we look at established artists and designers to discuss how technical methods and concepts support each other. I’m aware of the material history of my specialist area, present methods and emerging techniques and when students discuss their project with me, I use my knowledge to make them aware of the material and historical context of every method. 
Although this study is quite recent, I would be interested to see if there are any newer papers that use this research as a starting point to identify technicians role in art & design HE more in depth. 

Sams C 2016, ‘How do art and design technicians conceive of their role in higher education?’, Spark: UAL Creative Teaching and Learning Journal, vol. 1, viewed 01 April 2021,

https://sparkjournal.arts.ac.uk/index.php/spark/article/view/18.