I am a research ethics and compliance specialist focused on positioning ethics and governance as strategic enablers of globally competitive research. I provide leadership and operational oversight of Adelaide University’s integrated human ethics, animal ethics, institutional biosafety and research compliance functions. I am focused on developing a unified, best-in-class research ethics and compliance framework that embeds a minimum viable bureaucracy model to maintain robust compliance while enabling research through streamlined, risk-based systems. Done well, a research ethics and compliance framework becomes a strategic asset that enhances research quality, accelerates delivery, and strengthens an institution’s ability to attract talent, funding, and partnerships.