New head to boost NT’s research prowess
Two of the Territory’s top research teams will be brought a little closer when high-level program director Brendon Douglas takes up a new dual role with Charles Darwin University from Monday, April 28.
Mr Douglas has been simultaneously appointed Head of Research for the university’s Office of Research and Innovation and for the Menzies School of Health Research, in a move designed to improve outcomes and efficiencies for both organisations.
He brings extensive international aid experience and more than 15 years’ experience in consulting, executive and project management for academic, private and community institutions.
Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks said the joint appointment would provide scope for both teams to enhance their already outstanding national and international reputations for research excellence, and to explore opportunities for greater collaboration.
“CDU has established itself as an exciting and progressive research-intensive university with a regional focus that prioritises the complex issues facing Northern Australia and the Asia-Pacific,” Professor Maddocks said.
“Mr Douglas has a strong record of diversifying and growing organisations through innovation, business development and partnership brokering. With experience in Timor Leste, Indonesia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, he will help strengthen and expand stakeholder engagement and build research partnerships of mutual value to both CDU and Menzies.”
In welcoming the joint appointment, Menzies Director Professor Alan Cass said Mr Douglas’ proven track record would help to expand Menzies’ and CDU’s collaborative research footprint nationally and internationally.
“His high level of research development acumen will allow the expansion of important partnerships with government, Indigenous organisations and health professionals to support research to improve Aboriginal health,” Professor Cass said.
“Similarly, his experience with international aid programs will boost our capacity to deliver pioneering global research in critical fields such as malaria, tuberculosis and child malnutrition.”
Mr Douglas is a qualified lawyer and holds postgraduate management qualifications from the University of Technology, Sydney. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and is an Executive Council Member of the International Development Contractors.