Research Professionals at Monash (RPM)

Why RPM Exists

Research Professionals at Monash (RPM) is a community of practice and a suite of co‑designed programs that support all professional staff working in research across the University. It sits under the Monash Research Plan’s Talent Enhancement Framework and uses a human‑centred design approach to ensure programs genuinely meet the needs and experiences of research professionals.

RPM engages its community through interviews, plenaries, workshops and tailored development activities. The aim is simple: to attract, retain and develop research professional talent through meaningful career development, networking, capability‑building and shared learning.

Membership

With a community size of over 1.1K and growing, RPM is open to all professional staff who support or enable research at Monash, from research centres and platforms to graduate research, technical teams and faculty-based research support roles.

What We’ve Achieved

Since its inception in 2022, RPM has delivered a range of development and community-building initiatives, including our annual plenaries, workshops and the RPM Mentoring Program.

The RPM Professional Development Awards have supported individuals and teams to pursue experiences that strengthen their skills, broaden their perspectives and contribute to research excellence at Monash. Participants have engaged in opportunities such as international study tours, leadership courses and conference attendance.

Other activities include plenaries on topics such as the future of research professionals, decision‑making, career development, AI in research management, and networking sessions that help strengthen connections across the community.

Where We’re Heading

RPM will continue to build a stronger community of practice, with the next phase focusing on expanding engagement through the new M Space platform. Annual plenaries and targeted development opportunities will continue, along with a focus on increasing visibility and support for research professionals across Monash.