In this case study, hear from Dr Marie Parker about how an exchange allowed her to share best practices, compare lab efficiency frameworks, and build lasting sustainability networks across the region.

The Yorkshire Technician Exchange Partnership (YoTEP) connects technical professionals across Leeds, York, and Sheffield to share expertise, solve common challenges, and elevate technical careers across the White Rose University Consortium.

“A fantastic day connecting with others and sharing ideas –  this is just the beginning of many collaborations driving sustainability across our institutions and the wider sector.”

I am a Senior Lab Manager at the Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, based at St James’s. I oversee the day-to-day operations of the site, ensuring everything runs smoothly. My role involves working closely with academics, researchers, technicians, PhD students and NHS colleagues to support every aspect of their research. This includes managing space, equipment, consumables, purchasing, estates, health and safety and driving sustainability. 

What made you want to take part in a YoTEP exchange? What were you hoping to get out of it?

I currently lead sustainability efforts across our site and am keen to share best practices both within the University of Leeds and across the wider sector. When I saw the opportunity from York to take part in a Green Impact Peer Review meeting, it felt like a great chance to connect with like-minded professionals. 

At Leeds, we use the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF), so I was particularly interested in learning about York’s approach through Green Impact. I also wanted to explore new ideas, identify practices we could adopt locally and share of the work we are already doing. 

What did your exchange involve?

I visited the University of York, where we had discussions over lunch about sustainability in our labs and across higher education more broadly. We covered a wide range of topics, including recycling schemes, waste management, energy use, freezer efficiency, and communication and engagement strategies. 

The group at York included technical managers, biology technicians, and sustainability professionals, which allowed for a diverse and insightful exchange. Thanks to Lucy Hudson, James Fox, Susanna Rose, Danielle Taylor, Peter Bancroft, Elizabeth Parker and Mark Clough for hosting me.  

We also toured several labs, which was particularly valuable. It was inspiring to see their sustainability practices implemented in real working environments – not just policies on paper.  While some approaches differed, many were similar to what we have at Leeds. It was also reassuring to see that although LEAF and GILA are different frameworks, they share key themes and address the same challenges. 

What did you gain from the experience?

The exchange provided an excellent opportunity to build connections with others who are actively championing sustainability. It reinforced the idea that meaningful change is happening across institutions, while highlighting the importance of continued collaboration. 

We discussed how we can use purchasing and waste contractors to support these processes and deliver some of our goals. This was just the start, and I’m confident that the conversations and collaborations will be ongoing as we continue to share knowledge and expand this network. 

Was there anything that surprised you or that you didn’t expect? 

Nothing in particular surprised me – it was just great to see another group equally committed to driving sustainability forward. 

What would you say to a technician who is thinking about taking part but isn’t sure? 

 If you’re considering taking part in an exchange (visiting or hosting), don’t hesitate to make the first move. It’s a valuable experience that offers the chance to build connections, develop your skills and engage like-minded people.

Find out more about the partnership here.