Over this last year, the IES have focused attention on extending membership to all levels of environmental scientists, breaking traditional tropes that science is reserved for professional academics or postgraduates in white lab coats. Instead, it is important we acknowledge that science is founded on the collaborative efforts of researchers, regulators, practitioners, educators and technicians, the latter of which can often feel disenfranchised by the wider community. That is why we launched a new designation, Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech), this summer in recognition of the value, expertise and contributions that technical professionals provide to the environmental science sector.
At this year’s Burntwood Lecture, ‘Can we put a price on biodiversity?’ delivered by Professor Kathy Willis CBE, we proudly presented an award to our first REnvTech, Mark Lane – a Graduate Consultant within the Sweco remediation team – to recognise his fantastic achievement. He travelled all the way down from Edinburgh to receive his award, and was warmly welcomed by the evening’s audience and IES Chair, Gary Kass.
Upon receipt, Mark was asked what the REnvTech award meant to him and his career. Listen to his response in the recording below.
