UNSW Research & Enterprise
UNSW Research & Enterprise is committed to driving change through impactful research and strong industry partnerships. To support this, the division rebranded and upgraded its website to better showcase its strengths, values, and real-world impact. The new site aims to inspire collaboration and extend the division’s reach in science, innovation, and society. I contributed to this project across two phases, supporting both the initial discovery work and the later stage of implementation—helping ensure the final product aligned with user needs and strategic goals.
Responablity
DESIGN WEBPAGE LAYOUT
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
UX RESEARCH
Responablity
UNSW- Research & enterprise
Year
2023 - 2025
Role
Web optimasation project officer
DELIVERABLES
DIGITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT
AEM WEB DESIGN
SHAREPOINT SITE DESIGN
"Shaping science through design—building platforms that inspire discovery and impact."
The problem
The previous digital experience was misaligned and difficult to navigate. Content across 13 labs was inconsistent, public and internal information were blended without clear boundaries, and onboarding for new users relied on outdated manual forms and complex processes. This also weakened the way each laboratory showcased its capabilities to potential industry business partners, limiting visibility beyond UNSW’s internal audience.
Together, these issues created unnecessary friction, reduced engagement, and constrained growth opportunities—highlighting the need for a more streamlined, intuitive, and engaging user-centred digital platform.
Previous website
Previous website
Previous website
Previous website
Discovery
I've initiated the creation of 10 questions for subject matter expert interviews that aim to find out more about their audience profiles, workflow processes, and existing website issues. I began the conversation with the contents audits; from there on, I began to discover more insights and findings.
Here are the key findings:
• SMEs emphasised instrument visibility: 92% SMEs agreed that Instruments need to be discoverable for both UNSW users and external audiences.
• Users contact SMEs directly for guidance, with 100% of FAQs coming from new users seeking help and assistance on their how to get started on their projects.
• Over 80% of SMEs said it is easier to respond to and understand user needs after the first point of contact, often through follow-up virtual meetings.
The brief from division leaders
Develop high-quality content and enhance the functionality of the Research Laboratories website. Use this platform to showcase each laboratory’s unique capabilities and the specialised expertise of its facilities. Streamline the project collaboration application process and eliminate unnecessary information to better engage future partnership audiences.
Results
Successfully launched a dynamic new website, fully endorsed by all 17 lab teams and the Vice-Chancellor, clearly showcasing the division’s capabilities to a wider audience.
Established a centralised SharePoint intranet, enhancing collaboration and secure information sharing across all labs.
Achieved a 25% drop in user drop-off rates post-launch.
76% of internal users report improved access to information and processes via the new platform.
View UNSW Research Official Website
Research
After meeting with the stakeholders, I conducted further primary research, including a competitor analysis and interviews with five different UNSW internal users. I then documented the research findings as a supporting resource for the stakeholders’ later brainstorming sessions.
The key findings from our users on their priorities:
Instrument search must support keywords, techniques, and expertise-based grouping.
Related facilities and fees are secondary considerations.
Users struggle with low awareness of facilities, difficult navigation, and unclear service offerings.
Induction involves too many manual emails and lacks streamlined processes.
Lack of descriptive keywords and expertise mapping makes staff contact difficult.
Users want more training workshops, educational resources, and MWAC news updates.
Clear onboarding, easy website discovery, and direct access guidance.
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Once we gathered our research data, we began brainstorming and redefining the end-to-end user journey. I created a SharePoint site to streamline parts of the onboarding process and to serve as an archive of information for our internal UNSW users.
This helped reduce content overload on the main website and made essential information easier to access.
SharePoint intranet
SharePoint Site Mockup
SharePoint Site
This intranet site addresses the issue of information overload by consolidating content relevant only to UNSW internal users. It integrates with the UNSW access-only sections of the ACLS system, allowing users to find documents related to laboratory onboarding and research project documentation.
This streamlines the previously complex and unclear guidance that users experienced on the old site. The new platform also makes it easier for stakeholders to track internal-only information and tailor content to their laboratory needs.
The new Website
My second phase of participation in this project was to utilise the pre-built components within the Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) CMS, developed by the UNSW internal development team.
The main challenge throughout this process was to display all of the required content effectively. Our team of copywriters gathered the written content, and my role was to collaborate with stakeholders to identify the additional specific content and requirements needed for each laboratory.
Through this process, I learned how to work within constraints and how to connect multiple systems into a holistic site by integrating and linking them to other parts of the ecosystem
Outcome & Impact
With the new website, we have introduced several features to solve the problems of the previous version:
More coherent information that clearly showcases what UNSW’s Research Division can offer to a wide range of audiences.
Successfully addressed the issues of inconsistent information architecture across 13 different laboratories, creating a clearer user flow, improving the overall journey, and reducing unnecessary content.
Improved the application process by introducing a more streamlined and simplified system, making it accessible within just a few clicks for all future users.
For this project, I learned how to navigate the dynamics of working within a large institution, where multiple levels of stakeholder influence shaped the outcome. I supported my project manager in finding alignment between user needs, stakeholder approval, and business goals.
This journey taught me not only how to apply my UX/UI skills but also how to manage stakeholder expectations effectively.
A key lesson was realising that even small tasks contribute to the bigger picture. Each output, no matter how minor it may seem, can influence the project’s direction. It reminded me to always keep the overarching goals in mind and to understand how each piece comes together to solve a larger problem.
Lesson learned
UNSW Research & Enterprise
UNSW Research & Enterprise is committed to driving change through impactful research and strong industry partnerships. To support this, the division rebranded and upgraded its website to better showcase its strengths, values, and real-world impact. The new site aims to inspire collaboration and extend the division’s reach in science, innovation, and society. I contributed to this project across two phases, supporting both the initial discovery work and the later stage of implementation—helping ensure the final product aligned with user needs and strategic goals.
Client
UNSW- Research & enterprise
Responablity
DESIGN WEBPAGE LAYOUT
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
UX RESEARCH
Year
2023 - 2025
Role
Web optimasation project officer
DELIVERABLES
DIGITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT
AEM WEB DESIGN
SHAREPOINT SITE DESIGN
Client
UNSW- Research & enterprise
Responablity
DESIGN WEBPAGE LAYOUT
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
UX RESEARCH
"Shaping science through design—building platforms that inspire discovery and impact."
"Shaping science through design—building platforms that inspire discovery and impact."
The brief from division leaders
Develop high-quality content and enhance the functionality of the Research Laboratories website. Use this platform to showcase each laboratory’s unique capabilities and the specialised expertise of its facilities. Streamline the project collaboration application process and eliminate unnecessary information to better engage future partnership audiences.
Develop high-quality content and enhance the functionality of the Research Laboratories website. Use this platform to showcase each laboratory’s unique capabilities and the specialised expertise of its facilities. Streamline the project collaboration application process and eliminate unnecessary information to better engage future partnership audiences.
Results
Successfully launched a dynamic new website, fully endorsed by all 17 lab teams and the Vice-Chancellor, clearly showcasing the division’s capabilities to a wider audience, such as industry partners and investors.
Established a centralised SharePoint intranet, enhancing UNSW internal team collaboration and secure information sharing across all labs.
Significantly reduced the number of web pages from 3,000 to 350 pages.
Successfully redefined the website’s value propositions to better serve user needs while generating leads for project collaborations.
Achieved a 25% drop in user drop-off rates post-launch.
76% of internal users report improved access to information and processes via the new platform.
Successfully launched a dynamic new website, fully endorsed by all 17 lab teams and the Vice-Chancellor, clearly showcasing the division’s capabilities to a wider audience, such as industry partners and investors.
Established a centralised SharePoint intranet, enhancing UNSW internal team collaboration and secure information sharing across all labs.
Significantly reduced the number of web pages from 3,000 to 350 pages.
Successfully redefined the website’s value propositions to better serve user needs while generating leads for project collaborations.
Achieved a 25% drop in user drop-off rates post-launch.
76% of internal users report improved access to information and processes via the new platform.
View UNSW Research Official Website
The problem
The previous digital experience was misaligned and difficult to navigate. Content across 13 labs was inconsistent, public and internal information were blended without clear boundaries, and onboarding for new users relied on outdated manual forms and complex processes. This also weakened the way each laboratory showcased its capabilities to potential industry business partners, limiting visibility beyond UNSW’s internal audience.
Together, these issues created unnecessary friction, reduced engagement, and constrained growth opportunities.
The previous digital experience was misaligned and difficult to navigate. Content across 13 labs was inconsistent, public and internal information were blended without clear boundaries, and onboarding for new users relied on outdated manual forms and complex processes. This also weakened the way each laboratory showcased its capabilities to potential industry business partners, limiting visibility beyond UNSW’s internal audience.
Together, these issues created unnecessary friction, reduced engagement, and constrained growth opportunities—highlighting the need for a more streamlined, intuitive, and engaging user-centred digital platform.
Previous website
Previous website
Previous website
Previous website
Discovery
I've initiated the creation of 10 questions for subject matter expert interviews that aim to find out more about their audience profiles, workflow processes, and existing website issues. I began the conversation with the contents audits; from there on, I began to discover more insights and findings.
Here are the key findings:
• SMEs emphasised instrument visibility: 92% SMEs agreed that Instruments
need to be discoverable for both UNSW users and external audiences.
• Users contact SMEs directly for guidance, with 100% of FAQs coming from
new users seeking help and assistance on their how to get started on their
projects.
• Over 80% of SMEs said it is easier to respond to and understand user needs
after the first point of contact, often through follow-up virtual meetings.
I've initiated the creation of 10 questions for subject matter expert interviews that aim to find out more about their audience profiles, workflow processes, and existing website issues. I began the conversation with the contents audits; from there, I began to discover more insights and findings.
Here are the key findings:
• SMEs emphasised instrument visibility: 92% SMEs agreed that Instruments need to be discoverable for both UNSW
users and external audiences.
• Users contact SMEs directly for guidance, with 100% of FAQs coming from new users seeking help and assistance on
how to get started on their projects.
• Over 80% of SMEs said it is easier to respond to and understand user needs after the first point of contact, often
through follow-up virtual meetings.
I've initiated the creation of 10 questions for subject matter expert interviews that aim to find out more about their audience profiles, workflow processes, and existing website issues. I began the conversation with the contents audits; from there on, I began to discover more insights and findings.
Here are the key findings:
• SMEs emphasised instrument visibility: 92% SMEs agreed that Instruments need to be discoverable for both UNSW
users and external audiences.
• Users contact SMEs directly for guidance, with 100% of FAQs coming from new users seeking help and assistance on
their how to get started on their projects.
• Over 80% of SMEs said it is easier to respond to and understand user needs after the first point of contact, often
through follow-up virtual meetings.
Research
After meeting with the stakeholders, I conducted further primary research, including a competitor analysis and interviews with five different UNSW internal users. I then documented the research findings as a supporting resource for the stakeholders’ later brainstorming sessions.
After meeting with the stakeholders, I conducted further primary research, including a competitor analysis and interviews with five different UNSW internal users. I then documented the research findings as a supporting resource for the stakeholders’ later brainstorming sessions.
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
The brief from division leaders
Develop high-quality content and enhance the functionality of the Research Laboratories website. Use this platform to showcase each laboratory’s unique capabilities and the specialised expertise of its facilities. Streamline the project collaboration application process and eliminate unnecessary information to better engage future partnership audiences.
Results
Successfully launched a dynamic new website, fully endorsed by all 17 lab teams and the Vice-Chancellor, clearly showcasing the division’s capabilities to a wider audience.
Established a centralised SharePoint intranet, enhancing collaboration and secure information sharing across all labs.
Achieved a 25% drop in user drop-off rates post-launch.
76% of internal users report improved access to information and processes via the new platform.
View UNSW Research Official Website
The key findings from our users on their priorities:
Instrument search must support keywords, techniques, and expertise-based grouping.
Related facilities and fees are secondary considerations.
Users struggle with low awareness of facilities, difficult navigation, and unclear service offerings.
Induction involves too many manual emails and lacks streamlined processes.
Lack of descriptive keywords and expertise mapping makes staff contact difficult.
Users want more training workshops, educational resources, and MWAC news updates.
Clear onboarding, easy website discovery, and direct access guidance.
The key findings from our users on their priorities:
Instrument search must support keywords, techniques, and expertise-based grouping.
Related facilities and fees are secondary considerations.
Users struggle with low awareness of facilities, difficult navigation, and unclear service offerings.
Induction involves too many manual emails and lacks streamlined processes.
Lack of descriptive keywords and expertise mapping makes staff contact difficult.
Users want more training workshops, educational resources, and MWAC news updates.
Clear onboarding, easy website discovery, and direct access guidance.
Once we gathered our research data, we began brainstorming and redefining the end-to-end user journey. I created a SharePoint intranet site to streamline parts of the onboarding process and to serve as an archive of information for our internal UNSW users.
This helped reduce content overload on the main website and made essential information easier to access.
Once we gathered our research data, we began brainstorming and redefining the end-to-end user journey. I created a SharePoint intranet site to streamline parts of the onboarding process and to serve as an archive of information for our internal UNSW users.
This helped reduce content overload on the main website and made essential information easier to access.
"Delivered a SharePoint hub that streamlined application processes, centralised internal information, and eased the load on the public site"
SharePoint intranet
SharePoint Site Mockup
SharePoint Site
This intranet site addresses the issue of information overload by consolidating content relevant only to UNSW internal users. It integrates with the UNSW access-only sections of the ACLS system, allowing users to find documents related to laboratory onboarding and research project documentation.
This streamlines the previously complex and unclear guidance that users experienced on the old site. The new platform also makes it easier for stakeholders to track internal-only information and tailor content to their laboratory needs.
SharePoint intranet
SharePoint Site Mockup
SharePoint Site Mockup
SharePoint Site
This intranet site addresses the issue of information overload by consolidating content relevant only to UNSW internal users. It integrates with the UNSW access-only sections of the ACLS system, allowing users to find documents related to laboratory onboarding and research project documentation.
This streamlines the previously complex and unclear guidance that users experienced on the old site. The new platform also makes it easier for stakeholders to track internal-only information and tailor content to their laboratory needs.
This intranet site addresses the issue of information overload by consolidating content relevant only to UNSW internal users. It integrates with the UNSW access-only sections of the ACLS system, allowing users to find documents related to laboratory onboarding and research project documentation.
This streamlines the previously complex and unclear guidance that users experienced on the old site. The new platform also makes it easier for stakeholders to track internal-only information and tailor content to their laboratory needs.
The new Website
My second phase of participation in this project was to utilise the pre-built components within the Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) CMS, developed by the UNSW internal development team.
The main challenge throughout this process was to display all of the required content effectively. Our team of copywriters gathered the written content, and my role was to collaborate with stakeholders to identify the additional specific content and requirements needed for each laboratory.
Through this process, I learned how to work within constraints and how to connect multiple systems into a holistic site by integrating and linking them to other parts of the ecosystem.
“Redesigned the UNSW website to create a more inviting, visually engaging platform that highlights research strengths, fosters commercial collaboration, and communicates the university’s message with greater impact.”
Outcome & Impact
With the new website, we have introduced several features to solve the problems of the previous version:
More coherent information that clearly showcases what UNSW’s Research Division can offer to a wide range of audiences.
Successfully addressed the issues of inconsistent information architecture across 13 different laboratories, creating a clearer user flow, improving the overall journey, and reducing unnecessary content.
Improved the application process by introducing a more streamlined and simplified system, making it accessible within just a few clicks for all future users.
With the new website, we have introduced several features to solve the problems of the previous version:
More coherent information that clearly showcases what UNSW’s Research Division can offer to a wide range of audiences.
Successfully addressed the issues of inconsistent information architecture across 13 different laboratories, creating a clearer user flow, improving the overall journey, and reducing unnecessary content.
Improved the application process by introducing a more streamlined and simplified system, making it accessible within just a few clicks for all future users.
With the new website, we have introduced several features to solve the problems of the previous version:
More coherent information that clearly showcases what UNSW’s Research Division can offer to a wide range of audiences.
Successfully addressed the issues of inconsistent information architecture across 13 different laboratories, creating a clearer user flow, improving the overall journey, and reducing unnecessary content.
Improved the application process by introducing a more streamlined and simplified system, making it accessible
within just a few clicks for all future users.
Lessons learned
For this project, I learned how to navigate the dynamics of working within a large institution, where multiple levels of stakeholder influence shaped the outcome. I supported my project manager in finding alignment between user needs, stakeholder approval, and business goals.
This journey taught me not only how to apply my UX/UI skills but also how to manage stakeholder expectations effectively.
A key lesson was realising that even small tasks contribute to the bigger picture. Each output, no matter how minor it may seem, can influence the project’s direction. It reminded me to always keep the overarching goals in mind and to understand how each piece comes together to solve a larger problem.