Commencement of Work on National Fair Attribution Policy for Education 

The National Technician Development Centre (NTDC), hosted by the University of Sheffield and the Office for Students (OfS) national body for the higher education sector, today announced the formal commencement of work on the NTDC National Fair Attribution Policy for Education, a new national initiative designed to ensure Education Technical Professionals (ETPs) are formally recognised for their vital contributions to teaching, learning and educational innovation.

For more than a decade, NTDC has supported organisations to deliver high-quality, sustainable technical services. This new work builds on the NTDC’s recent national report, which demonstrated the direct impact of ETPs on student outcomes, satisfaction and graduate employability.

Education Technical Professionals are technicians who play a critical role in delivering excellence in technical and technology-focused education and who work collaboratively as integral members of education teams. A central recommendation of the report calls on institutions to:

“Develop and implement fair attribution policies (or update existing) recognising the contribution of ETPs both as individual contributors and as integral members of the education team.”

A Fair Attribution Policy for Education ensures that the work, intellectual contribution and educational innovation developed by technicians are formally credited. This moves beyond general acknowledgements to specific recognition across teaching materials, research outputs and institutional performance and success frameworks.

“Fair attribution is essential for visibility, professional recognition and career progression for Education Technical Professionals,” said Sara Bacon, NTDC. “This work directly supports the Technician Commitment and will help ensure technicians can evidence their educational impact and access fair progression and promotion opportunities.”

Work Now Underway

The policy is being developed by the NTDC ETPNET Steering Group, part of ETPNET, a national network launched in 2025 to connect education technicians, showcase best practice and address shared challenges across the sector.

The Steering Group is comprised of:

• Sara Bacon, NTDC 

• Ian Tidmarsh, NTDC 

• Jane Eagling, Manchester Metropolitan University 

• Jan Brett, University of Liverpool

• Neil Guthrie, Edinburgh Napier University

• Ceri Heldreich, University of Derby

• Jennie Hibbard, University of Leeds

• Jamie Roberts, Queen Mary University London

• Jackie Greef, Queen Mary University London

Call to Action

NTDC is now establishing a National Fair Attribution Policy for Education Consultation Group and is inviting colleagues from across higher education to participate.

Members of the group will:

• Review and provide feedback on the draft policy

• Shape the final national framework

• Contribute to further development phases
  
  

Colleagues interested in joining the Consultation Group or ETPNET can register their interest by emailing: enquiries@ntdc.ac.uk