Governance of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation

The Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation is governed through a structure that ensures excellence in leadership, strategic clarity, and accountability. In line with University policy, the Institute is supported by three complementary groups, each with a distinct role in guiding its mission and operations:

Institute Director

The Institute is led by the Director, who provides academic and research leadership, sets strategic priorities, and oversees delivery of the Institute’s mission. The Director works closely with both the Executive Management Team and the External Advisory Board to ensure that Institute activities remain aligned with University strategy and global research trends.

Executive Management Team (EMT)

The Executive Management Team is central to the strategic and operational leadership of the Institute. The EMT meets regularly—at least six times per year—to advise on and support the Institute’s research agenda, operational planning, and long‑term strategic direction.

The EMT comprises:

Pillar Leads and Health‑Based Challenge Leads

Institute Director of Operations

Director of the Technology Services Directorate

Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials (as part of the University’s health research ecosystem)

Vice Deans of Research and Innovation

A Research Representative

This group ensures that the Institute’s activities are coherent across its thematic structure of

Fundamental Discovery, Enablers & Innovation, and Health‑Based Challenges.

External Advisory Board (EAB)

The External Advisory Board is currently being established. The EAB will consist of 4–5 distinguished national and international experts spanning research, policy, innovation, and industry. Its role is non‑executive and consultative, providing independent guidance on strategic direction, international positioning, research excellence, and emerging opportunities.

The EAB will act as a strategic sounding board for the Institute Director and will help benchmark the Institute against international best practice.

How These Groups Work Together

These three bodies—the Director, the Executive Management Team, and the External Advisory Board—work in concert to ensure effective governance, world‑class research leadership, and alignment with University strategy:

The Director leads academic vision and operational delivery.

The EMT advises on and implements strategic and operational plans, drawing on leadership across all pillars, challenges, and core service units.

The EAB provides external, international expertise to help shape long‑term strategy and excellence.

Together, they ensure the Institute is positioned to drive discovery, foster innovation, and deliver impact across the health research and innovation ecosystem.