XClose

UCL News

Menu

UCL's technical talent recognised at Papin Prizes

18 July 2025

UCL’s technical professionals have once again demonstrated their excellence with strong representation at the prestigious 2025 Papin Prizes. Our colleagues received an award and were shortlisted across multiple categories.

Desart Ismaili receiving his award from Sarah Davies

Congratulations to Desart Ismaili, Outreach Manager for The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, UCL, who won the Contribution to Outreach category. The award recognises a member of technical staff who has made a significant contribution to community and outreach activities.

Desart was commended for his visionary leadership and collaborative approach in designing and executing The Bartlett’s outreach strategy, aimed at broadening access and removing barriers for under-represented students. Working closely with The Bartlett EDI team, student ambassadors, and academic colleagues, Desart delivered a national programme of taster days, summer schools, school visits, virtual events, and mentoring programmes, which is set to reach even more students in the coming academic year.

Desart Ismaili said:

“I am incredibly honoured to be recognised with a Papin Prize for Contribution to Outreach. This national recognition highlights the vital importance of engaging with communities and creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for all. 
Outreach is fundamental to inspiring the next generation of students and fostering a diverse and equitable academic landscape. This award is a testament to the collective effort of everyone involved in making a difference.

UCL's technical excellence was further demonstrated through three shortlisted nominees:

  • Alberto Astolfo was shortlisted in the Contribution to Knowledge Exchange category, recognising his contribution to delivering knowledge exchange and innovation activities.
  • Ian Patmore was shortlisted in this year’s new Excellence in Sustainability category, acknowledging his work to embed sustainability into the Department of Geography’s core technical culture and reducing environmental impact in labs and fieldwork operations
  • The Geography Technical Team was shortlisted in the Technical Team category, recognising their collaborative work to support teaching, research, and field activities.

About the Papin Prizes

The biennial Papin Prizes at the Higher Education Technicians Summit (HETS) recognise excellence among technical professionals working in higher education and research. The awards celebrate the vital contributions that technical staff make to research, teaching, and university operations.

At this year's awards HETS celebrated its tenth anniversary, with 500 technicians attending the event on Wednesday 9 July in Leicestershire. The ceremony was hosted by Sara Davies MBE, founder of Craft Companion and T Levels ambassador.

HETS is organised by the UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy and Midlands Innovation, with sponsorship from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The event provides a platform for technical professionals to share best practice, network, and celebrate achievements across the sector.

UCL's Commitment to Technical Professionals

UCL’s diverse community of over 1,000 technical professionals are supported by the sector wide Technician Commitment which UCL signed in 2018, and the UCL Technical Skills Development Hub which offers a range of learning and development opportunities, including the Technical Skills Showcase and Technical Professional of the Year Awards ceremony which took place in June at UCL East.

Links