Impact Research Management

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.

What I do

Comprehensive Solutions

I specialise in providing comprehensive solutions that maximise the potential of research. Whether you need to develop or refresh a research strategy, understand the performance and potential of a research centre or Institute, or develop a new initiative to enhance your research environment, I can help.
Examples of the type of work I routinely deliver for clients include:
• Strategic & Sustainability Plans
• Performance and Impact Analysis & Review
• Impact Case Studies
• Business Case development
• Development of new initiatives and research 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.

Our services and support

Collaborative Throughout

Research Strategy and Planning

The research environment is continuously evolving as priorities change and new and exciting opportunities arise. I specialise in drawing together all of the moving parts that make your environment unique – and in helping you develop plans to reach your research and organisational goals – whatever they may be.

Partnerships

Relationships are central to successful research translation. I can help forge the creation of meaningful partnerships between community, industry, government and research providers such as universities. From stakeholder mapping through to connecting research expertise with user needs, I can help.

Research Review

A research organisation is the sum of many parts. I work alongside you to evaluate and report on the role that groups or units such as research institutes and centres can play in your success – both now and in the future.

Support & Systems

With deep experience within research and commercialisation systems, I can offer advice on systems improvement through review of internal structures, policies and mechanisms designed to support research development and translation.

Income Growth and Diversification

As competition for government funded research intensifies, the need to diversify income sources and become financially self-sustaining has grown. Talk to me about strategies for the growth and diversification of income to support your research and translation goals.

I work with leading Research Organisations

I have had 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 the impact of your research.

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.

Tailored Research Solutions