The annual HESA Staff data for 2022–23 will be published imminently, giving us the latest snapshot of the research and teaching workforce within universities.
This important sector analysis is incomplete without a parallel understanding of the technical workforce. Unfortunately, the recent pattern of “opting out” of data submission for technical staff is a problem.
These academic staff data trends are often examined against HESA’s student data to analyse sector growth and challenges – but without the technical workforce analysis the picture is incomplete.
For example, our previous research as part of the Research England funded TALENT programme highlighted the significant role of technicians as teachers. Over four-fifths (81 per cent) of respondents to a national survey of technical staff working in UK universities indicated their role did involve teaching or supporting the learning of HE students.
