VIC Chapter: Perspectives on Career Pathways in Research Management - 23 June 2025

Research Management or Research Administration is a profession that has grown and evolved over the years into a distinct profession with its own specialisations and professional societies. As a profession, Research Management has a diversity of job roles linked with grant management, research ethics, research impact, research governance, higher degree by research management, and risk management, to name a few examples. Furthermore, Research Management Professionals enter this career track from a range of different professional backgrounds and sectors including research scientists, administration roles, legal, and government. The diversity of roles combined with the diverse entry points can make it challenging to identify suitable career pathways, especially for those who may be relatively new to the profession.

This PD session convenes a panel of three Research Management Professionls from diverse institutions and professional backgrounds. The first portion of the session will provide a forum for each of the panellists to share an overview of their research management career journey to date along with any tips or advice that they each found to be helpful through their career. This will be followed by a Q&A session where attendees can ask questions of the panel.
 

Date: Monday, 23 June 2025

Time: 1:00PM – 2:00PM AEST (Check your time zone here)

Type of Meeting: Zoom webinar

Presenters:

Dr Kelly Wade-Johnson - RMIT

As an accomplished leader in the higher education sector, I have brought extensive operational management experience and a strong commitment to service excellence and continuous improvement. As the current Senior Manager - HDR Strategy and Policy at RMIT University, I have led teams and guided stakeholders through complex policy and process changes, using diplomacy and collaboration to build alignment and engagement. With a focus on delivering high-quality service and advice across diverse stakeholder groups, I value a balance of competing priorities while fostering team performance to support HDR candidates and research in higher education.

Ms Amanda Smith - La Trobe University

Amanda is the Associate Director, Research & Industry Agreements at La Trobe University’s Research Office within the Research and Industry Engagement Portfolio. With more than 22 years of experience in research management within universities, Amanda leads teams dedicated to managing tender development, research and consulting contracts, as well as the establishment and management of grants. Driven by a passion for fostering positive experiences for both researchers and industry partners, she offers expert advice and guidance on Agreements, including streamlining processes across the portfolio for enhanced efficiency.

Dr Gabrielle Callander - WEHI

Gabrielle is a passionate research development leader who has supported research in professional roles in the Parkville Biomedical Precinct for almost a decade. Gabrielle began their career as a researcher in molecular biology and neuroscience and held post-doctoral positions at Lund University (Sweden) and the University of Melbourne. Following positions at major universities focused on major projects, research infrastructure and research development, Gabrielle joined WEHI in 2021 to better position their research for priority-driven, impact focused and translational funding opportunities, particularly those from the Medical Research Future Fund. Gabrielle became Head of Research Grants and Development in 2024, leading a dynamic team that provides comprehensive research management services across the grant lifecycle – from project conception to reporting outcomes to stakeholders. Their goal is to secure competitive national and international research grant funding, while improving researcher capabilities and enhancing WEHI’s research reputation.

Facilitated by: 

Dr Wade Moore - Monash University

Wade holds a PhD in Genetics and a graduate certificate in research commercialisation from Monash University. After completing his PhD Wade made the transition away from the lab bench to research management. For the better part of 10 years Wade has worked in research management roles focusing on business development, grant management, and grant development at some of Australia’s leading Universities and CSIRO. As an ARMS accredited research manager Wade is experienced in a range of areas across the entire breadth of the research funding lifecycle, from grant development and review, through to contract review and negotiation. Presently, Wade is a Business Development Manager within Monash University's Faculty of Science. In this role Wade supports researchers with expertise in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and earth, atmospheric and environmental sciences to identify opportunities for collaboration with government, private enterprise, and industry to further the commercialisation of technologies that are underpinned by this expertise.

Zoom link: Provided in confirmation email.

Meeting ID: Provided in confirmation email. 

Help: Click here to learn how to join a Zoom meeting and click here to learn about participant controls. If you need assistance with accessing Zoom at your office, please contact your organisation’s IT Support. We strongly recommend you test your ability to connect to Zoom prior to the session.

If you have any questions, please contact the ARMS Executive Office ARMSMembership@researchmanagement.org.au or +61 8 8201 5592.