Professor Moira Clay from the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has taken over the reins of a key international body designed to support research administrators and managers across Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Professor Clay, who holds the position of Director, Academic and Research Services at the Telethon Institute in Western Australia, was last night officially announced as the new President of The Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS).
Professor Clay has been in the President-Elect role at ARMS for the past year and is now looking forward to leading the professional society through a key phase in its future development.
"ARMS recently launched a strategic plan to help it further grow as a professional organisation through to 2020, so the next year will be an incredibly exciting one as we focus on new directions and challenges," said Professor Clay.
"Part of my role will be to help develop a stronger voice for research managers, build opportunities for professional development and initiate programs focusing on ethics and integrity."
Professor Clay plans to also work to expand the society's membership base taking it beyond a health and medical focus into other research areas.
"What we're seeing is other research professionals keen to share our group's vision and passion for the promotion and development of research management and enterprise and we're keen to embrace that enthusiasm."
Professor Clay brings a strong background in research to the President's role, with extensive senior management experience in a number of national organisations, including her current position in administration and research management at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.
At the Telethon Institute she is responsible for fostering and enhancing its research capacity with a major focus on development and mentoring of future research leaders and managing critical stakeholder relationships.
Professor Clay will be supported in her new role by Dr Gayle Morris, Director Research Services at Flinders University who was last night announced as the Society's President-Elect.