Client Spotlight: University of New South Wales Medicine & Health Research Themes

Summary

Insights Catalyst Advisory partnered with UNSW’s Faculty of Medicine & Health to review and reimagine its Themes structure, a core element of the Faculty’s research strategy. The review assessed performance, strategic alignment, and governance effectiveness of its five Themes and provided options for a future model that strengthens collaboration, research excellence, and impact.

Background

Established as part of the UNSW 2025 Strategy, the Faculty’s Themes structure has supported collaboration and research identity across major areas of strength including Cancer, Cardiac, Vascular & Metabolic Medicine (CVMM), Health Systems Research (HSR), Neuroscience, Mental Health & Addiction (NMHA), and Infectious Disease, Immunity & Inflammation (Triple I). As the Faculty prepared to renew its research strategy following the launch of the new UNSW Progress for All strategy, it sought to evaluate whether the existing model remained fit-for-purpose and capable of delivering against its evolving goals.

The Problem

After nearly a decade in place, the Themes structure has fostered community and early-career researchers' development, but the Faculty also recognised the importance of ensuring that its research structures remain aligned with evolving institutional priorities, strategic goals, and external expectations. UNSW Medicine & Health sought an independent, evidence-informed review to assess performance, fitness for purpose, and options for the future of its five active themes.

Our Approach

Working closely with Faculty leadership, Insights Catalyst Advisory delivered a comprehensive, mixed-methods review:

• Quantitative analysis of five years of research funding and output data

• Targeted interviews with Theme Principals, Research Development Managers, University and Faculty leaders

• Assessment of governance structures, performance indicators, and alignment with strategic goals

• Development of clear options and recommendations for alternative structures, including mission-aligned platforms, capability hubs, and time-bound clusters

Janine brought both analytical depth and practical insight. She understood the complexities of our environment and translated them into clear, actionable recommendations we could use straight away. Professor David Simar, Deputy Dean (Research Operations), UNSW Medicine & Health

Results

The review provided an evidence-informed roadmap for decision-making and strategic renewal:

• Identified maturity across Themes and opportunities for alignment and integration

• Demonstrated a collective ROI on seed funding

• Outlined models to strengthen collaboration, streamline governance, and ensure accountability

• Informed the Faculty’s incoming research strategy, ensuring alignment with UNSW’s Progress for All and the Faculty’s emerging research objectives

The review provided clarity on what has worked well and where we need to evolve. It’s helped us think beyond structures and focus on how we enable excellence, collaboration, and impact in the next phase of our research strategy. Professor David Simar, Deputy Dean (Research Operations), UNSW Medicine & Health

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