Impact Research Management
Maximising Your Research Potential
You know you do amazing research.
But making sure it reaches its full potential is challenging.
Working together, at the intersection of Research, Strategy, and Environment, we co-design solutions that address your unique challenges
.....so that you can unlock your research potential for maximum impact.
About Me
Rochelle Finlay: Founder & Director
I have been driving research impact and delivering major projects in New Zealand and Australia’s research and innovation sectors for over 20 years.
As a Fellow of the Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS) and an experienced Board Director, I bring both knowledge and networks, and a proven track record in achieving results.
Known for my consultative, straightforward, and approachable style, I am adept at navigating sensitive issues and delivering high-value outcomes within our research and innovation sector.
What I do
Comprehensive Solutions
I specialise in maximising your research potential by understanding your un-known or un-realised research potential and aligning it with your research and innovation ambitions. Whether you need to better understand your research potential in a key sector, develop or refresh your research strategy, or understand the performance and potential of a research centre or Institute, I can help.
Examples of the type of work I routinely deliver for clients include:
• Strategic & Sustainability Plans
• Performance and Impact Analysis & Review
• Business Case development
• Development of new initiatives and research-based entities
How I do it
Tailored Approach
As a boutique specialist service provider, I have the flexibility to deliver tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of each client.
Each project is designed with your goals in mind, ensuring that we achieve the most effective outcomes together. If we agree we are a good fit for each other, we work together to confirm your needs before co-designing an approach to address these.
Our partnership approach is re-enforced through regular contact and flexibility of approach – ensuring your satisfaction with outcomes.
I work with leading Research Organisations
I have the pleasure of collaborating with some of Australia and New Zealand’s leading research organisations. Partner with me, and let me help you to maximise your research potential.
Our TeEACH Executive identified a need to formalise a strategy and plan for our sustainability. Rochelle guided us on that journey through the co-development of a 3-year strategic plan and a growth and sustainability plan which identified research and commercial opportunities to support the centre's vision. In addition to providing significant clarity, Rochelle’s extensive research management expertise meant we could draw on her breadth of knowledge of other universities within Australia and abroad. Rochelle's input was invaluable and has directly supported our ability to grow in strength and capacity.
Professor Rebekah Grace
Director, Transforming Early Education and Child Health, TeEACH Strategic Research Institute
Rochelle’s expertise and deep knowledge of commercialisation, industry partnering, and University strategy was pivotal to helping us define our direction and priorities. Through staff mentoring and the development of metrics, frameworks and systems to drive our commercialisation processes and decision making at the University of Newcastle, Rochelle provided essential leadership, expertise, and support as we found our feet as a new team.
Danielle Neale
Danielle Neale, Director Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise (KEE), The University of Newcastle
Impact Research Management led a crucial review of UC’s Research Centre Entities to better support and leverage the contribution these entities make to UC’s research portfolio. The review of 20 of UC's larger research entities using quantitative and qualitative assessments was timely and innovative in both its approach and recommendations, with Rochelle providing critical added-value to the process and outcome. Rochelle was thoroughly professional, responsive, and timely, applying deep technical expertise throughout this process - and ultimately delivering a workable, intellectually robust, management and governance framework for UC's research entities.
Professor Ian Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury, New Zealand
“Leveraging our unique research strengths and resources, Impact Research Management led RMIT Executive in the development of an enterprise plan to position our research leaders, partners and consumers to leverage the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) - helping drive impact through transformative health and medical research. By working closely with key stakeholders, Rochelle’s deep knowledge of the research sector combined with her consultative and agile approach to understanding and addressing our needs delivered a high-quality researcher-driven plan perfectly tailored to RMIT’s unique culture and vision".
Jane Holt
Executive Director, Research Strategy and Services at RMIT University
The Strategic Research Initiative (SRI) framework is central to Western's transdisciplinary research investment. Rochelle’s deep knowledge of the university research sector was evident in her review of the principles underpinning our framework. Rochelle’s experience in working directly with Western's Research Centre Directors and her highly consultative approach ensured our Centre Directors' voices were heard. Her ability to craft solutions unique to Western's research environment has strengthened our SRI governance framework enhancing our research investment in ways that truly reflect our institution's needs.
Dr Annette McLaren
Director - Strategic Programs, Research, Enterprise and Global, Western Sydney University
Turning Research into Impact
Case Study: Strategic Planning for TeEACH at Western Sydney University
The Transforming early Education And Child Health Research Centre (TeEACH) at Western Sydney University is dedicated to tackling persistent inequities in child health, development, and wellbeing through multi-disciplinary applied research. Despite its crucial mission, TeEACH faced significant challenges in strategic direction and financial sustainability which threatened its capacity to effect change.
Recognising these challenges, Rochelle was brought in to steer the development of TeEACH’s strategic and growth sustainability plans. Working closely with the TeEACH executive team, Rochelle facilitated a comprehensive planning process that leveraged her deep expertise in research management and strategy formulation. Through a series of targeted workshops and consultation sessions, she helped crystallize a clear, actionable 3-year strategic plan tailored specifically to the centre’s needs.
This strategic framework not only aligned with TeEACH’s mission but also opened up new avenues for research and commercial revenue. These initiatives were crucial in ensuring the centre’s ongoing impact and financial health, enabling TeEACH to continue advancing its vision of equitable child development outcomes.
Case Study: Revitalising the Strategic Research Initiative Framework at WSU
Western Sydney University’s Strategic Research Initiative (SRI) framework serves as the foundational model for centralized investment in transdisciplinary research through its various Research Centres. Established in 2019, the guiding principles of the SRI were intended to streamline and enhance the establishment, operation, and management of these Centres. However, as the research landscape evolved, it became apparent that these principles no longer fully aligned with the current needs and feedback from Centre Directors.
To address this discrepancy and ensure the SRI framework remained effective and relevant, Rochelle was tasked with revising the SRI Principles. Through a meticulous process of gathering and analyzing feedback from Centre Directors, Rochelle facilitated a comprehensive review that identified key areas for improvement.
Leveraging her expertise in strategic planning and research management, Rochelle led the development of an updated set of principles that better reflected the current research environment and the practical experiences of the Centres. This refresh not only enhanced the operational effectiveness of the SRI framework but also ensured that WSU’s investments continued to foster innovative and impactful transdisciplinary research.
Case Study: Enhancing HDR Support and Systems at the University of Newcastle
The University of Newcastle recognized a need to improve their support and systems for higher degree research (HDR) students, a critical area impacting student success and research outcomes. However, identifying effective enhancements required a deep understanding of existing operations and challenges within the university’s framework.
Impact Research Management was engaged to conduct an independent review aimed at identifying opportunities to bolster HDR support. Through a rigorous process of extensive consultations with academic leaders and key support staff, Rochelle’s gathered insights into the existing support framework and pinpointed areas needing improvement.
Leveraging this wealth of feedback, Rochelle developed a comprehensive suite of recommendations specifically tailored to enhance the Graduate Research functions and overall HDR support at the University. These targeted recommendations were designed to streamline processes, improve resource allocation, and enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of HDR support, thereby directly addressing the needs and concerns raised during the consultation phase.