The paper of free choice was ” How do art & design technicians conceive their role in higher education”.
The paper was a relatively simple look at how data was obtained through staff surveys and “Photovoice” techniques to find how Technicians view their position in the university environment.
The paper looks at the data and views generally finding that technicians perceived their roles to support staff and students in the workshop environment both traditional and virtually using the skills they have obtained through a career in education as well as practicing professionals in their field as designers and artist practitioners.
The paper also finds that as much as 40% find themselves to feel undervalued and that their roles as practising artists outwith university were not valued.
A project called “Photovoice” by Wang (1999 ) where participants worked with the researchers to create photo images of their working life that were almost meme like to open a dialogue on aspects of their working life that were shared in a technical role, this was also accompanied with a set of questions about the image and role.
Again this is a simple look at the use of images and set questions to create a discussion about the role of Technician and their place. I myself have been a Jewellery technician for 20 years and fully appreciate the sentiments stated in the paper such as my own practice not being viewed the same as my academic peers, the lack of progression in the role and having been told in the pass that I “don’t teach” in my role where in reality that’s core of our work.
Reference
Sams 2016 UAL – Technicians’ conceptions of their role.pdf ” How do art & design technicians conceive their role in higher education”
Photovoice” by Wang (1999 )