Dr Karen Henderson Awarded MBE for Outstanding Contributions to Higher Education

08 July 2025

The NTDC congratulates Dr Karen Henderson, Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Reading, on being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for her outstanding contributions to higher education.

A long-standing advocate for technicians, Dr Henderson has led national efforts to raise professional standards and expand opportunities across the sector. Her leadership in the NTDC-supported Trailblazer Group helped launch the Higher Education Technician Apprenticeship Standard, widening access and diversity in technical careers.

Karen was an early supporter of the Technician Commitment and has driven initiatives in accreditation, sustainability, and equality - helping Reading earn Science Council Employer Champion status and contributing to national frameworks like Athena Swan.

A former NTDC board member and current co-chair of the SE Technician Commitment Leads Network, Karen continues to be a driving force for positive change.

We are proud to have worked with her and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.

"I hugely appreciate all of the support that we, at the University of Reading have received from the NTDC over the years, including skills surveys and a LEAF pilot study. I was fortunate enough to be involved in the NTDC Trailblazer Group for the HE Assistant Technician apprenticeship standard. This was launched in 2021 and I am delighted that our first apprentice who took up this opportunity here at Reading, has been successful and is now developing a broad range of skills and developing a technical career."