Hear from our Technicians
Find out what it’s like to be a technician at Ulster University and the opportunities to shape your career.
Heather Shanks - Miller
Architectural Technician
Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment
“Taking part in the Associate Fellow HEA programme enabled me to evaluate my support for students in a thorough way. Stepping outside of the day-to-day work to consider my contribution gave me more confidence in myself, charting my input from inductions right through to preparation for final assessments.
As a parent whose son is preparing to go to University, I am so aware of how important our work is in supporting young people to make the transition from school pupil to university student, with the confidence and reassurance that technicians are always on hand to provide ongoing support for the essential practical elements of their degree programme.”
Heather Shanks-Miller joined Ulster University 13 years ago from a role as a technology and design technician in a Belfast post-primary school.
Undertaking the Associate Fellowship HEA as part of her commitment to career development and to recognise more fully her own interaction with students and their learning, Heather captured her one-to-,one work with students, group work, inductions, model-making, use of materials as well as support for any concerns or worries.
Heather plans to complete the next level in the HEA Fellowship accreditation programme, reflecting some of the adaptations she introduced during the pandemic for workshop access, enabling students to stay connected and continue their essential practical learning in a safe and supported environment.
Fintan Mulholland
Technician, Knit
Belfast School of Art
“Since graduating I have been intentional about my career direction - both in my own professional practice as an artist and in my role to encourage and inspire future talent.
This standalone short course offered me a platform to further develop my practice in effective learning, teaching, and assessment by reflecting on my contribution through one-to-one direct teaching and sharing practical skills.
Supporting students to fine tune their skills and find their own creative expression is so rewarding and enjoyable. Being around so much emerging new talent also keeps my own designs and practice fresh.
Alongside my work in the Belfast School of Art studios, the opportunity to get involved in this accredited professional development programme enhanced my appreciation of different learning styles and also opens up possibilities for me to consider moving into an academic teaching career in the future.”
A UU Textile Design, Art and Fashion graduate, Fintan then completed his MA in Fashion and Knitwear at Nottingham Trent University before focussing on his own creative practice and business, alongside delivering teaching on undergraduate and foundation programmes at UU.
Winner of the RDS Craft award for his own creative business in 2022, Fintan also secured the 2021 Crafts Council of Ireland Future Makers Award, was a county finalist in 2019 Ireland’s Best Entrepreneur and participated in the 2016 and 2018 Brown Thomas Create programme.
As a freelance knitwear designer in womenswear, menswear and unisex clothing, Fintan’s designs are manufactured in Italy and Mongolia using the finest luxury fibres.
In 2023 he successfully completed the First Steps to Supporting Learning and Teaching (FST) in higher education award, an Advance HE accredited short course.
Brian Kirch
Technical Services Engineer
School of Engineering
“Being in the classroom not as the student but involved in delivery of the programme had a significant influence on my understanding of how best to engage with students and their different learning styles.
Working closely with other staff to adapt teaching during the pandemic I was involved in the delivery of very practical sessions as we supported students to continue to study remotely, often using a complex 3-camera set-up to capture all aspects of the engineering learning with precision.
Receiving student feedback and becoming involved in marking student work to an agreed scheme, also gave me a more informed understanding of how students respond in the classroom, and how academic colleagues assess progression. This insight can only enhance my contribution as a technician in the classroom.”
After studying a metal fabrication apprenticeship at Northern Regional College, Brian joined Ulster University as a student in the School of Engineering.
Taking the flexible opportunity to continue his degree part time, Brian simultaneously joined the school’s technician staff team, completing his degree in May 2022.
Undertaking the First Steps to Teaching programme at the same time, Brian combined work, study and professional development to open doors to teaching opportunities and broaden his expertise as part of the classroom team.
Taking part in the programme alongside PhD researchers and others, Brian found the mix of disciplines beneficial in refining his own ways of learning and acquiring fresh perspectives on the student experience.
Matthew Colgan
Academy Technician
Front of House Supervisor, Hospitality
“I’m working primarily with first and second year students ahead of their placement year in the hospitality sector.
The HEA programme encouraged me by offering a platform to assess my interaction with students and my contribution in supporting the restaurant’s training staff.
I’m passionate about hospitality as a career and the Associate Fellowship programme gave me insights, validation and confidence to consider future possibilities in a training role. Seeing the progression of students is so rewarding, as they gain confidence in their interactions with the public and all the aspects of front of house that deliver a welcoming and relaxed dining and visitor experience.”
Having studied Culinary Arts Management at Ulster University, and then worked as head chef in a Co. Down hotel, Matthew joined the technical team in the Business School’s Academy restaurant.
Undertaking the Associate Fellow HEA programme in 2019, Matthew then became a supervisor technician in 2021, overseeing front of house operations in the training restaurant, and supporting the training staff in their teaching with students.
With a Masters in Digital Communications and Leadership, Matthew also looks after the restaurant’s social media channels.
In this his first role in a student and educational setting, the AFHEA programme enabled Matthew to reflect on his support for both staff and students.
Dr Nermeen Ali
Pharmacy Practice Technician
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science
“I found both programmes very interesting in my work as a pharmacy practice technician. Workshops and the opportunity to take part in interactive sessions with colleagues from other disciplines in Orientation to Learning and Teaching offered practical encouragement.
For the Associate Fellow accreditation, I benefitted from assessing how I contribute to effective teaching and learning, both in a supporting role and my direct engagement with students.
For my personal and professional development, I plan to progress to the PG Certificate in Higher Education Practice and Fellowship of the HEA, which will equip me with the tools and resources to design a contemporary curriculum that reflects professional practice in pharmacy and supports our students to learn with confidence.”
Nermeen Ali joined Ulster University in 2014 as a Postgraduate researcher, having studied and worked in pharmacy in Egypt.
Whilst working towards her PhD in Biomedical Science, Nermeen undertook the Orientation to Learning and Teaching at Ulster University and found the interactive session on learning and teaching priorities, policy and practice supportive of her involvement in delivering her own interactive learning and practical sessions.
Having completed her PhD, she joined the School of Pharmacy team as a Pharmacy Practice Technician, applying her academic and PhD expertise to supporting undergraduate students. Nermeen organises placements in community pharmacy and hospital settings, and prepares the requirements for practical teaching sessions, as well as contributing materials, resources and teaching to key learning moments such as taking a medication history, dispensing skills, interaction with doctors and patient counselling.
Encouraged by the School of Pharmacy, Nermeen has since completed the AFHEA programme.
Jenifer Campbell
Food and Beverage Technical Services Co-ordinator
School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
“Like very many technicians in higher education, I am most motivated by supporting students to enjoy acquiring skills as they build their professional confidence.
I’m also passionate about quality ingredients and my role involves supporting students to learn how to cost and source the produce they need for the inventive menus they have created.
I undertook the Associate Fellow programme along with other technicians from my team and enjoyed the opportunity to encourage them to recognise and value their own contribution to the student learning experience.
Having worked professionally in the industry, it can be easy for us all to overlook or take for granted the expertise, skills and enthusiasm we are sharing with students every day. I also participated in the Engage: Great People Managers @ UU programme as part of my commitment to continuing to lead and develop both students and technicians forging careers in the hospitality sector through studying or working at Ulster University.”
From being a student in the very first cohort of Hospitality Management at UU, Jenifer now leads the technical services team in the Academy restaurant on Belfast campus.
In a varied career characterised by nurturing others and imparting skills, Jenifer has trained students through modern apprenticeships and NVQ programmes, worked in training kitchens and supported learners with special needs.
When running her own restaurant for 3 years she made a point of employing former students and giving them a confident start in their hospitality career. Prior to joining Ulster University 12 years ago, Jenifer worked for City and Guilds as Internal quality assurance manager for Northern Ireland.
She now manages all practical requirements for students and colleagues, including the all-important health and safety considerations in a fast-paced professional kitchen and restaurant on campus