PANEL SESSIONS
Unlocking Innovation: Lessons from the Trailblazer Universities Experiment and the Road Ahead
10 September 2025
02:45PM - 03:45PM
Amy Hunter
Deakin University
Dr Sanjay Mazumdar
Defence Trailblazer
Rohan McDougall
Curtin University
Anthony Millgate
Australian Government
Department of Education
(Facilitator)
Professor Michael Khor
Nanyang Technological
University
The Trailblazer Universities Program, a key part of Australia’s University Research Commercialisation Action Plan, has aimed to foster new capabilities, drive commercialisation, and enhance industry engagement. As the six Trailblazer programs near conclusion in 2026, this approach prompts critical reflections on the funding landscape in Australasia, especially amid an uncertain regional geopolitical future.
What have been the standout successes and challenges? How effective has the program been in encouraging research/industry collaboration? What strategies are in place to sustain the program's momentum beyond 2026? What
can we learn to better develop research commercialisation partnerships?
Our expert panel will explore these questions and speculate on potential successor programs or new initiatives to continue driving research commercialisation and industry collaboration in Australasia.
Innovating in the third space – boundary spanning roles supporting research innovation and impact
11 September 2025
Joann Cattlin
RMIT
Dr Davina Dadley-Moore
Monash Biomedicine
Discovery Institute
Dr Wade Kelly
Researcher Development Academy
01:10PM - 02:10PM
(Facilitator)
Dr Loretta Piccenna
Monash University
The roles that support research are evolving to meet the changing priorities of universities. Research managers, academic developers, knowledge managers and many others draw on diverse professional and academic experience and skills in roles that work across multiple entities or organizational units and respond to often competing agendas. These roles often do not fit the binary designations of ‘academic’ and ‘professional’ and have been identified as ‘third space roles’ or ‘blended professionals’ who span the boundaries traditional roles (Whitchurch, 2009, 2015). However, staff in these roles often face challenges in finding their place in research organisations and building a career within universities. Yet in order for universities to meet the challenges of a more complex research landscape, they must take more innovative approaches to building capability.
This panel represents different experiences and perspective of working in the third space. Suggested topics to explore are:
• Who are third space professionals?
• How do these roles support research?
• How can universities realise the value of their contribution to support innovation?
This topic is from RMPs to RMPs and all have passion to deliver key and practical insights into RM for RMPs.
Navigating the Shifting Terrain: Research Management in an Evolving Funding Landscape
11 September 2025
02:15PM - 03:15PM
Danette Olsen
Ministry of Business, Innovation
and Employment (MBIE)
Claire Forsyth
Australian Research Council
(ARC)
(Facilitator)
Hannah Allan
Curtin University
Julie Glover
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
The funding landscape is shifting across New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore, presenting both challenges and opportunities for research management professionals as they navigate these changes. In seeking to align with current government agendas and navigating new funding models, alongside the rise of private-sector investment and international collaborations, the complexity of securing and managing research funding has never been greater. This panel brings together experts from across the region to share research funding landscapes, various research priorities, challenges in the ecosystem and how research management professionals can make a difference. Join us as we discuss strategies for navigating uncertainty, leveraging emerging opportunities, and ensuring the long-term success of research programs in a dynamic environment.