How Lisa Alford inspires students and celebrates technicians

When asked to reflect on her career, Lisa Alford, science coordinator and ambassador at Tonbridge School, in Kent, UK, pauses. ‘I actually had to pull up a presentation I prepared for the [Royal Society of Chemistry’s] National Conference for Science Technicians,’ she admits with a laugh. ‘It’s easy to forget how much you’ve done until you look back.’

Over the course of 15 years, Alford has quietly reshaped the way science is taught, communicated and supported at Tonbridge and beyond. In recognition of her efforts, she was recently awarded the Royal Society Hauksbee award. Named after Isaac Newton’s laboratory assistant, Francis Hauksbee, the award acknowledges technicians, research staff and other unsung heroes ‘behind the scenes’ whose work is essential to scientific progress.

Inspiring science through communication

Alford hadn’t studied chemistry before she joined Tonbridge School in 2009 as a trainee technician, but working at the school’s laboratories ignited her interest. ‘Coming here actually really made me realise how interested I was in chemistry,’ she recalls. Determined to build on her newfound passion, she enrolled in chemistry courses at the Open University. Her growing expertise led her to get involved in an outreach programme, where she worked with underprivileged children on Saturday afternoons. ‘I enjoyed spending time with the students … helping them and making science fun and interesting for them. That was really rewarding,’ she adds.

Her positive experience led her to participate in further outreach programmes in a supporting role, including ‘Science For schools’ that Tonbridge has developed in collaboration with nearby primary schools to encourage interest in Stem subjects. One of her signature accomplishments is the annual competition ‘Science Snippers: 4 Minutes to Win It!’ that she designed to encourage students from year 13 and below to present complex scientific topics in engaging and concise ways. She watches hundreds of videos submissions over her Easter holidays: ‘I enjoy watching them … but it’s so hard to narrow it down to 22 finalists.’ Over three years, this competition has grown in popularity, attracting students from schools across London and south-east England.

Coordinating chemistry

In 2014, Alford also became a Registered Science Technician at the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), a measure of excellence for those in technical roles. ‘The application process made me realise “oh, actually I do quite a lot and I’m actually not too bad at my job”,’ she adds. One of her most demanding roles came when Tonbridge School underwent its most ambitious development in recent history – the construction of the state-of-the-art Barton Science Centre. In her role as the senior chemistry technician, Alford was tasked with overseeing the complex move into this new facility in 2019. ‘It was a huge undertaking,’ she recalls. ‘I was responsible for ensuring that we had the correct fume cupboards, ventilation systems, the design of the chemistry prep room, the safe move of the chemicals, and all the equipment was moved securely and that everything was set up properly.’ The centre has since become a regional hub for science education, offering workshops, public lectures and collaborative projects.

Elevating technicians

While Alford is deeply committed to students, she is equally passionate about supporting her fellow technicians. Recognising a lack of affordable and accessible training opportunities in south-east England, she secured a grant from the RSC’s Teaching Empowerment Fund to establish the Science Technician Convention in 2023, a free annual event that brings technicians together for workshops, networking and knowledge sharing. ‘Most of the conferences are in the Midlands or in the north. They’re very expensive as well,’ Alford explains. ‘I wanted to do something where technicians can connect.’

The convention, now one of her proudest achievements, attracted 130 technicians from 60 schools across the UK, with 15 workshops and talks covering topics from impactful outreach strategies to raising the profile of technicians. The conference offers practical resources while cultivating a supportive community for technicians.

Beyond the convention, Alford actively mentors her colleagues, helping them to take on leadership roles and embrace new opportunities. Her advocacy was recognised when Tonbridge became the first UK school to earn the title of Employer Champion with the Science Council, a status that highlights the school’s commitment to technician development and professional growth. ‘It was a proud moment,’ she says. ‘Not just for me but for the entire technician team.’

Looking forward

Alford remains focused on the future. With plans to expand the science communication competition to younger students and to continue developing the Science Technician Convention, her mission is far from over. ‘I would like another project, but I don’t know what that’s going to be yet,’ she says.

She remains passionate about raising the profile of technicians. ‘I want other people to see that technicians are skilled people. Without science technicians, you wouldn’t have practical work in the school setting … or in the industry,’ she says. ‘We might be in the background, but we’re working hard.’