The Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) is the largest UK body representing information development professionals. It promotes better scientific and technical communication by:
- Encouraging professional development
- Sharing best practices and standards
- Providing research resources
- Providing networking opportunities for its members and industry affiliates
- Promoting technical communication as a profession
- Continuing professional development (CPD)
ISTC members come from virtually every industry and area of society within the UK, as well as internationally, who all need to communicate complex or important information effectively.
The ISTC is a non-profit company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company number 1061923, Registered office: Rutland House, Minerva Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6PZ.
Join the ISTC
You can join the ISTC if you are interested or involved in technical communication of any kind.
If you are involved in technical writing, technical illustration, content strategy, or communicating technical information in other ways, it’s the professional association that can help you through your career.
It is what you do that matters, rather than your job title. If you’re communicating technical information to explain and instruct, there’s a good chance you’re a technical communicator. And if you are a technical communicator, we’d love you to be part of the ISTC.
What the ISTC offers you
When you join, there are five key ways the ISTC can help you:
1. Professional development and recognition
These include: Resources and opportunities to develop and diversify skills, and stay up to date with trends and technologies. Mentoring schemes Training The UK Technical Communication Awards to recognise your success in creating clear, concise and effective information products.
“People should be aware of how being a Member/Fellow is considered to be valid for pre-employment screening purposes and so aids in securing work. Marvellous! I think it’s a very positive that organisations value the ISTC and so include it as being valid for screening purposes!”
John Nicholas ISTC (Fellow)
See: Professional development and recognition
2. Communicator professional journal
Communicator is our award-winning quarterly professional journal covering the breadth of technical communications, offering in-depth articles, case studies, book and product reviews.
See: Read the latest issue of Communicator and how to subscribe
3. ISTC Community
The ISTC offers opportunities to network, exchange expertise, and stay in touch with the UK technical communication industry – through a range of online groups, local events and a free monthly newsletter, InfoPlus
See: ISTC Community
4. Technical Communication UK conference
The ISTC hosts Technical Communication UK, the annual conference that aims to meet the needs of technical communicators, their managers and clients, from every corner of the industry.
See: Technical Communication UK website
5. Resources
The ISTC offers access to discounted essential resources, including British Standards publications.
See: Publications and Resources