Welcome to our new Director, Research Services

A message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Wayne McKenna:

It is with pleasure that I announce the appointment of Associate Professor Michael Baker to the role of Director, Research Services.

The Office of Research Services, aligned with the University’s research intensification strategy, provides the administrative framework to support research excellence across the University. As Director, Associate Professor Baker will provide leadership and management of the Office, with a view to providing a consistently high standard of service for our researchers.

Associate Professor Baker brings with him a deep understanding of research culture and processes having been active in all aspects of the research cycle, including as a successful grant applicant and as a NHMRC panel member.

Prior to taking up this position, Associate Professor Baker was a member of the School of Exercise Science and then School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, where his research, clinical, and teaching career focused on the integration of exercise, medicine, and behavioural change to improve quality of life, particularly among older adults and those living with chronic illness. Associate Professor Baker has published in several top-quality journals and is a member of the Australian Association for Exercise and Sport Science (ESSAM), Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES) and Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP)

This experience awards Associate Professor Baker invaluable insight into the researcher perspective as he leads the Office of Research Services in supporting our researchers in the areas of grants, contracts, ethics and integrity, and systems and reporting, an important contribution to the strategic direction of Research at ACU.

In addition to his role as Director, Research Services, Associate Professor Baker will continue to Chair ACU’s Human Research and Ethics Committee, a role he has held since 2018.

Please join me in congratulating Associate Professor Baker on his appointment.