Background 

Since joining the University of Essex in April 2024, Nathan Edwards has been working as a Specialist Technician in the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering. Having previously studied Computer Science at Essex, he supports teaching in robotics and has been involved in rewriting lab scripts and contributing to the development of modules, enhancing his own skills while supporting students.

Professional development

As someone relatively new to working in robotics, Nathan was keen to learn from others and understand how robotics is taught at other institutions. Through his role, he became involved with UK RAS STEPS, a national initiative that supports technical staff working in robotics and autonomous systems. In June last year, he attended the UK RAS STEPS Technical Showcase, an event which celebrated technical expertise and discussed developments in robotics. Attending the Showcase gave Nathan the opportunity to learn and connect with other technical staff and industry professionals.

Engagement with T-PIKE 

Building on his experience, Nathan engaged with T-PIKE to secure upfront funding to attend ROSCon UK 2025 in Edinburgh. This was his first conference and brought together people working with the Robot Operating System (ROS) for talks, workshops, demonstrations and opportunities to network. ROSCon provided Nathan with valuable insight into the industry and gave him the opportunity to meet a wide range of people working in robotics, helping him to build confidence in networking. As part of the event, Nathan took part in tours of the National Robotarium and robotics laboratories in Edinburgh.

Following ROSCon, Nathan has been able to apply his learning to his day‑to‑day work, and has also shared this information with colleagues, helping to strengthen knowledge and expertise within the wider team. Attending the conference has also enabled Nathan to build a valuable network of technicians from other universities.

Key takeaways 

 Through his engagement with T‑PIKE, Nathan has been able to:

  • Attend his first national conference
  • Learn from others involved in robotics education and industry
  • Build confidence in professional networking
  • Apply new learning ideas into his everyday work

Nathan’s experience highlights that technical staff can:

  • Benefit from development opportunities
  • Gain valuable insight from attending national conferences and events
  • Develop professional networks with others