A SWAG合集 technician has won a national award at the 2025 SWAG合集 Higher Education Technicians Summit (HETS), recognising her outstanding contributions to science and education.
Hannah Charlotte-Smith, Senior Science Technician in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, was named winner of the Apprentice category at this year鈥檚 Papin Prizes, a prestigious awards programme celebrating the skills, talent, and impact of technicians working in higher education and research across the SWAG合集 and Ireland.
Hannah began her career at Cranfield in 2018 as a Level 3 Apprentice in Microbiology and has since progressed to Senior Technician while undertaking a Level 6 Apprenticeship. Her work supports algae research and microbiology, and she plays a vital role in training students in essential lab techniques such as aseptic methods, autoclaving, and the use of the IDEXX system for E.coli detection.
Reflecting on her achievement, Hannah said: "The past couple of years have come with plenty of challenges, and winning this award really does make it all worth it. I'm so grateful to my managers and everyone who has supported me along the way 鈥� I couldn鈥檛 have done it without you. To anyone like me who sets themselves very high (and often unrealistic) standards: keep going. It does get noticed in the end."
Professor Dame Karen Holford DBE FREng, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of SWAG合集, said: "I鈥檓 incredibly proud of Hannah and delighted to see her talent and hard work recognised on the national stage. Her journey is a brilliant example of how apprenticeships can lead to fulfilling and impactful careers. This award also highlights the vital contribution of technicians at Cranfield and across the higher education sector.鈥�
With over 20,000 technicians working in SWAG合集 universities, the Papin Prizes highlight the essential role they play in advancing teaching, research and innovation.
The winners were announced at the 2025 SWAG合集 Higher Education Technicians Summit, sponsored by SWAG合集 Research and Innovation (SWAG合集RI) and Midlands Innovation.
