Technician Commitment

The University is a signatory to the Technician Commitment. This initiative is overseen by a Technician Commitment Steering Group, led by Dave McPhee and Nigel Crook, which connects colleagues engaged in improving the experience and supporting career progression for staff in technical roles. Work is underway to engage with our technical community and progress a targeted action plan to support this commitment.

At Oxford Brookes staff in technical roles are involved in essential practical and specialist support for teaching and curriculum delivery as well as research activity across arts, architecture, engineering, health and clinical skills and bio-sciences.

Useful links

Technician Commitment logo

“Oxford Brookes has a strong reputation for research excellence and our research couldn’t take place without the expertise and the support of our technicians. But it is not just laboratory technicians and those involved in research, many others technicians support areas across the University from clinical skills technicians to mechanical services, electrical, building and digital technicians, all playing a key role.”

Professor Linda King, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Global Partnerships

Oxford Brookes Technician Community

Mr Russell Anderson

Mr Russell Anderson

Drama Technician

As a lighting and sound specialist for the Drama department, I manage the Drama Studio and its equipment, supporting staff and students in classes, and production managing performances taking place both in the Studio and at our partner venue the Old Fire Station

Mr Samuel Brown

Mr Samuel Brown

Curriculum Support Technician

I Support academic staff in the preparation and deployment of physical resources and ensure safe storage and security of equipment and chemicals and apply good safety practice in teaching rooms generally, maintaining apparatus and equipment. I Provide classroom support, information and advice on equipment and materials for safe use by staff and students working on Campus and in preparation for their placements in schools. 

 Tom Phillips

Tom Phillips

Laboratory Manager - Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Science

I oversee the Sport, Exercise and Nutrition laboratories and associated technical provision for both teaching and research. I ensure that all labs and equipment within them are correctly maintained, calibrated, reliable and accurate and all health and saftey documentation such as risk assements, control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) and standard operating procedures are created, updated and stored correctly. Day to day I am involved with set up, calibration and clear down of equipment for teaching and research practical work, train other member of staff and students on how to use equipment and technical procedures and loaning out equipment for field work. 

Mr Matthew Royan

Mr Matthew Royan

Digital Media Support Technician

I started with Oxford Brookes in 2021 as the Digital Media Support Technician, following a 15 year career in the TV broadcast industry, where I was a Studio Manager, Camera Operator and Video Editor.  I provide technical support for HSS in all aspects of video and photographic production.  On Harcourt Hill we have a fully equipped TV studio, video production equipment, and editing facilities available for hire or bookings to support teaching modules. I am on hand to provide guidance and training on the equipment to both faculty staff and students. I can also undertake video production projects, such training aids and promotional work.

Dr Ruth Shaw

Dr Ruth Shaw

Laboratory Demonstrator in Physical Geography

I manage the geography laboratories (research and teaching) in terms of day-to-day set up, equipment loans and supplies, budget, COSHH and health and safety. I co-teach geography modules with lab and fieldwork components, supervise student labwork and assess work together with colleagues.

Dr Magdalena Svensson

Dr Magdalena Svensson

MSc Primate Conservation Lecturer and Laboratory Technician

I have been the Lab Technician for the Primate Conservation MSc since 2010. I am an active research member of the Nocturnal Primate Research Group and the Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group, both based here at Oxford Brookes University. My research mainly focuses on the nocturnal primates of Africa and the Neotropics. I am also interested in wildlife trade research, including monitoring the illegal trade in ivory and pangolins but also in primates.

Mr Jordan Booker

Mr Jordan Booker

Laboratory Technician

I am part of the technician team that oversees the Sport, Exercise and Nutrition laboratories and associated technical provision for both teaching and research. I am also the lead technician for the Centre of Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences (MOReS) located on the ground floor of the Sinclair Building. 

I ensure that all labs and equipment within them are correctly maintained, calibrated, reliable and accurate and all health and saftey documentation such as risk assements, control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) and standard operating procedures are created, updated and stored correctly.

Day to day I am involved with set up, calibration and clear down of equipment for teaching and research practical work, train other member of staff and students on how to use equipment and technical procedures and loaning out equipment for field work. 

Mr Alistair Sampson

Mr Alistair Sampson

Laboratory Technician: Sports Exercise and Nutrition Science

I am part of the technician team that oversees the Sport, Exercise and Nutrition laboratories and associated technical provision for both teaching and research in these areas. I contribute towards the Sports Science & Nutrition degree programmes as a Associate Lecturer, in my specialist areas of Performance Nutrition and Body Composition Analysis (ISAK Level 2). 

 As a technician, I ensure that all labs and equipment within them are correctly maintained, calibrated, reliable and accurate and all health and saftey documentation such as risk assements, control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) and standard operating procedures are created, updated and stored correctly.

Day to day I am involved with set up, calibration and clear down of equipment for teaching and research practical work, train other member of staff and students on how to use equipment and technical procedures and loaning out equipment for field work.