Research and innovation leadership

Research and Innovation Office

Established in 2021 and led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, our Research and Innovation Office is a unique collective of our Research Centres and Units, the Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) Centre, and the Research Management Services Unit.

The leadership team are responsible for operationalising the research agenda, governance, management and the HDR programs.

We provide advice and support on Higher Degree Research candidature and scholarships, grant applications and administration, as well as funding, ethics and integrity, policy, and our Strategic Research Plan.

Research Management Services

Research Management Services offers both strategic and operational assistance to enhance the University's research endeavours, collaborating closely with various stakeholders within the university's research network.
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Higher Degrees by Research Centre

The Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) community serves as the foundation of the University's research ethos and is pivotal in upholding the standards essential for university accreditation. It stands as a cornerstone within the Research and Innovation Office at Torrens University. Central to the university's status, fostering innovative research outputs and expanding global impact through HDR projects remains integral to the identity and mission of Torrens University Australia.

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Research Centres

Torrens University Research Centres are vital in conducting specialised research and producing influential outcomes contributing to societal advancement. These centres foster collaborative, multidisciplinary research environments tailored to our thematic priorities, cultivating supportive networks. Emphasising interdisciplinary collaboration, they leverage existing synergies among diverse disciplines and academic groups throughout the university.
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Research and Innovation Office leadership team

Meet outcome-focused researchers from Torrens University Australia, who are working to solve complex global problems and to propel innovation.

Professor Craig McLachlan
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Director, Centre for Healthy Futures (CHEF)

craig.mclachlan@torrens.edu.au

Professor Ros Cameron
Director, Centre for Organisational Change and Agility (COCA)

coca@torrens.edu.au

Professor Paul Ward
Centre Director, Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing (PHEHF)

paul.ward@torrens.edu.au

Professor Margee Hume | Torrens University

Professor Margee Hume
Dean, Higher Degrees by Research Centre (HDR)

hdr@torrens.edu.au

Professor Tony Jan
Director, Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Optimisation (AIRO)

tony.jan@torrens.edu.au

Associate Professor Clare Littleton
Director, Centre for Healthy Sustainable Development (CHSD)

clare.littleton@torrens.edu.au

Dr Louise Townsin
Director, Research Management Services (RMS)

researchoffice@torrens.edu.au

Research and Innovation Office staff roles

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research

Name	Role
Professor Craig McLachlan	Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Research and Innovation Office (Acting)
Danielle Borroughs	Research Administration Officer

Research Centre Directors

Name	Role
Professor Paul Ward	Research Director, Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing (PHEHF)
Professor Tony Jan	Research Director, Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Optimisation (AIRO)
Professor Craig McLachlan	Research Director, Centre for Healthy Futures (CHEF)
Professor Ros Cameron	Research Director, Centre for Organisational Change and Agility (COCA)
Associate Professor Clare Littleton	Research Director, Centre for Sustainable Development (CHSD)
Dr Sarah Baker	Head of Research, Media Design School

Dean, Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) and HDR Candidate Manager

Name	Role
Professor Margee Hume	Dean, Higher Degrees by Research Centre (HDR)
Associate Professor Belinda Moloney	Candidature Manager, (HDR)

Research Management Services Managers

Name	Role
Dr Louise Townsin	Director, Research Management Services (RMS)
Kay Govin	Research Operations and Reporting Manager
Suzette Rawady	Research Grants Development Manager
Tim Dean	Human Research Ethics Manager

Professors, Associate Professors, Senior Research Fellows and Research Fellows

Name	Role
Associate Professor Amy Li	Senior Research Fellow (CHEF)
Associate Professor Hailay Gesesew	Senior Research Fellow (PHEHF)
Associate Professor Rachel Ambagtsheer	Research Fellow (PHEHF)
Bereket Duko	Senior Research Fellow (PHEHF)
Biniyam Sahiledengle Gebremariyam	Research Fellow (PHEHF)
Caitlan McLean	Research Fellow (PHEHF)
Dr Belinda Lunnay	Senior Research Fellow (PHEHF)
Dr Chloe Bryant	Senior Research Fellow (CHSD)
Dr Mingzi Zhang	Research Fellow (CHEF)
Dr Nelsensius (Nelson) Fauk	Senior Research Fellow (PHEHF)
Dr Pinki Dey	Research Fellow (CHEF)
Kenfe Tesfay Berhe	Research Fellow (PHEHF)
Kristen Foley	Research Fellow (PHEHF)
Professor Catherine Palmer	Professor (PHEHF)
Professor Lillian Mwanri	Professor (PHEHF)
Professor Zelinna Pablo	Professor (CHSD)

Research Officers

Name	Role
Akriti Verma	Research Support Administrator, RMS
Lauren Dougherty	HDR Administration Officer, HDR Centre
Leah Nerris	HDR Administration & Data Officer, HDR Centre

Research Assistants

Name	Role
Ben Archer	Research Assistant (COCA)
Caitlin Reader	Research Assistant (PHEHF)
Ethel Osazuwa	Research Assistant (PHEHF)
Hafte Kebede	Research Assistant (PHEHF)
Lesley O’Brien	Research Assistant (PHEHF)