2025 SSERC Honorary Fellow (1)

Honorary Fellowship Award

Recipient – Neill Sproull

Service Manager – Glasgow City Council

The Honorary Fellowship is one of the highest recognitions SSERC can bestow. It is awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to STEM learning and training in Scotland, and who have consistently demonstrated our core values: Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Passion, and Excellence.

There are several categories under which this fellowship may be awarded. This year’s award is particularly special, as it recognises excellence in both STEM training and in the work of professional organisations supporting STEM. Our 2025 Fellow exemplifies both of these areas—not only through his role as Service Manager for the Technician Profession in Glasgow, but also through his leadership as Chair of the Scottish Technicians Advisory Council.

This year’s recipient has dedicated 34 years to advancing and supporting the technician profession in Scotland. His journey began as a trainee science technician at Jordanhill College of Education. He went on to serve as a Biology Support Technician at the University of Glasgow, then as a School Technician at Notre Dame High School in Glasgow. From there, he rose through the ranks to become Senior and Principal Technician with the Technician Support Service, before stepping into his current position as Service Manager for Glasgow City Council. Along the way, he also earned a BSc in Life Sciences, further strengthening his expertise and commitment.

At SSERC, we have always recognised the vital role school and college technicians play in enabling hands-on, practical learning within STEM. Indeed, this is an area of our work to which we remain deeply committed. It is therefore fitting that, in SSERC’s 60th anniversary year, we honour the contribution of school and college technicians by awarding the 2025 SSERC Honorary Fellowship to someone who has devoted his career to supporting and championing this profession.

The Award citation

The 2025 SSERC Honorary Fellowship is awarded to Neill Sproull in recognition of his exceptional service to STEM education in Scotland. His tireless support for school and college technicians has safeguarded the place of practical STEM in the curriculum, ensuring it is delivered with excellence and the highest standards of health and safety.