Papin Prize 2021 Nominations Now Open Do you know an excellent technician or someone who is working tirelessly behind the scenes within research or higher education? The Papin Prizes 2021 nominations are now open. Biannually, the UK Higher Education Technician Summit celebrates technicians across the UK for their outstanding contributions to higher education and research. In the past, technicians may have been forgotten about, but they play a crucial role. Named after the first technician to publish his own name along side an invention in the 17 th century, the Papin Prizes were awarded in 2015. The aim of these prizes is to not only celebrate the integral role and work of technicians, but to help raise the professional status.