Building global risk resilience in a leading international university
Client type
Leading global university
Focus
Global risk management | Research security | Governance reform
Impact
A multi-year institutional resilience strategy transforming risk into capability
CHALLENGE
A globally connected university faced increasing exposure to geopolitical and regulatory risks. Its rapid international expansion created vulnerabilities in research security, foreign interference prevention, and staff safety overseas. Risk management functions were dispersed and compliance systems reactive.
The university needed a holistic approach that integrated executive ownership, global risk intelligence and staff capability—without undermining its entrepreneurial, outward-looking culture.
GRASP’S APPROACH
GRASP conducted a whole-of-institution assessment of global risks, combining policy review, leadership interviews and benchmarking against peer universities.
We developed two transformation pathways:
Operational uplift: strengthen compliance, workflows and due diligence tools.
Strategic resilience: embed leadership accountability, intelligence, and shared responsibility across portfolios.
Recommendations included clarifying ownership of global risk functions, embedding due diligence tools in research workflows, and creating a unified global risk coordination function supported by communications and training initiatives.
IMPACT
GRASP’s framework redefined how the institution viewed global risk — from compliance to strategic resilience. The project catalysed a new governance model and capability uplift plan now being implemented across the university.
Today, the university is striving to be recognised nationally as a sector leader in research security and resilience, with GRASP’s roadmap guiding its transformation journey.
