ARTN Event - Career mobility in HDR: Moving up, moving across, moving forward - 01 Apr 2026
Curious about what career progression really looks like for HDR professionals? Join us for a candid panel conversation with colleagues who have built their careers within (and beyond) the HDR space. From upward progression to lateral moves into new portfolios, our speakers will share how they navigated opportunities, leveraged transferable skills, and positioned themselves for their next step.
Whether you’re actively planning your next move or simply exploring what’s possible, this session will offer practical insights, honest reflections, and inspiration for shaping your own career pathway.
Presenters:
Pauline Opie, Victoria University
Pauline Opie is an experienced higher education professional whose current role is Manager, Scholarships in the Graduate Research School at Victoria University. Pauline has accumulated over twenty years’ experience in the higher education sector, including 11 years working for a research management software vendor. Starting from a grass roots role at the University of Melbourne, Pauline has built a career in research management, research systems and higher degree research. Known for her commitment to improving research outcomes, process improvements and enhancing the student experience, Pauline actively engages with the academic community through her work and professional contributions.
Smitha Schridhar, Macquarie University
Smitha Shridhar is a Senior Business Analyst with over twelve years’ experience across research services, graduate research operations, and digital transformation in the Australian higher education sector. Beginning her career in research analytics and national reporting (ERA/HERDC), she progressed through graduate research operational and leadership roles before transitioning into IT. Smitha now works on complex digital initiatives focused on translating policy and business needs into system design, leading cross‑functional projects, and partnering with IT teams and faculties to improve processes, reporting, and user experience. Her career journey highlights how the analytical, governance, stakeholder engagement, and problem‑solving skills developed in research services and graduate research roles transfer seamlessly into digital and transformation‑focused roles.
Mitch Smyth, University of Melbourne
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Wednesday, 01 April 2026
Time: 12PM - 1PM AEDT (Check your time zone here)
Type of Event: Online Zoom meeting
Zoom link and Meeting ID: To be provided in event confirmation email.
NEED HELP
- How to join a Zoom meeting
- Zoom participant controls
- For technical support, please contact your organisation’s IT team. We recommend testing your Zoom access prior to the session.
QUESTIONS
Contact the ARMS Executive Office at:
ARMSMembership@researchmanagement.org.au
+61 8 8201 5592
