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Professional development training delivery in 2026 (selected)
Two research training courses delivered online for doctoral students at the Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain: “How to Read Research Articles Effectively and Assess Their Scientific Quality” and “How to Write Your Thesis”
Online workshop “Supercharge Your Supervision of Postgraduate Students” delivered to academic staff through Auckland University of Technology (Auckland, New Zealand). This workshop was open to academics from multiple New Zealand universities.
Online course “How to Write Scientific Journal Articles” delivered in Spanish to Doctoral students and academic staff at Universidad Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain.
In-person workshop “Secrets of Successful Cross-Sectoral Collaborations Seen Through the Project Management Lens” delivered as part of the Annual General Meeting of the Project Management Institute Vancouver Island Chapter in Victoria, BC, Canada
One-on-one research grant writing support and coaching for academics and researchers.
Upcoming course “Project Management for Researchers” to be delivered online to doctoral students enrolled in the Applied Doctoral Scheme in New Zealand (scheme funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)).
Our outreach activities in 2026 (selected)
Dr Mandic visited Camosun Innovates department at Camosun College in Victoria, BC, Canada in June 2026 and met with Dr Brendon Restall (Faculty Leader). She enjoyed learning how Camosun Innovates partners with local businesses and community to help solve real world problems through design, building, prototyping, testing and improving a range of products and systems.
Dr Mandic visited Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton, AB, Canada in July 2026. She met with Associate Professor Efrem Violato (Applied Research Chair – Simulation and Health) and Professor Terry Schlitter (Dean of Health and Life Sciences) for a fascinating tour of the Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation, Data Visualisation Laboratory and Motion Capture Studio at NAIT.
Dr Mandic met with Professor Shawn Fraser from Athabasca University in Edmonton, AB (Canada) in June 2026 to exchange experiences in developing resources and delivering professional development training for postgraduate students and their supervisors.
Recent awards for Dr Mandic’s work on Compass Guide Research Training Resources
In May 2025, Dr Sandra Mandic received the New Zealand Academic Achievement in Project Management Award 2025 for her book “Compass Guide: How to Plan Your Research Project”.
This award from the Project Management Institute of New Zealand recognises an individual or team that has advanced the concepts, knowledge, and/or practices of project-based management through research that significantly advances the profession or aspects thereof.
In 2024, Dr Sandra Mandic was a finalist for the same award for her book “Compass Guide for Research Project Management”.
Latest releases of Compass Guide books (2025-2026)
Another Compass Guide book published in Spanish
Released in July 2026
Book overview video (in English)
Fifth Compass Guide book published – in English, Spanish and Portuguese
Released in September 2025
Book overview video (in English)
Year 2025 in Review: Dr Mandic’s Selected Engagements and Activities
Multi-day in person Project Management Training delivered to He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission, Wellington, New Zealand
Online workshops about Research Project Management and Essentials of Research Grant Writing delivered to PhD students at the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Masterclass Project Management Essentials for Learning and Development Professionals delivered to the New Zealand Association for Training and Development, Wellington, New Zealand
Dr Mandic was honoured to be the winner of the Academic Achievement in the Project Management Award 2025 by Project Management Institute of New Zealand for her book “Compass Guide: How to Plan Your Research Project”
Dr Mandic participated in the International Society for Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand in June 2025
Dr Mandic was one of the presenters at the Australasian Transport Research Forum 2025 and Transport Knowledge Conference 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand in November 2025
Celebration of the 5th Anniversary of AGILE Research Ltd. in 2026
In April 2026, we celebrated the fifth anniversary of AGILE Research Ltd.. It has been an incredible 5-year journey of inspiration, innovation, learning, sharing and connecting with so many incredible people across sectors and across the globe!
Here are some highlights of Dr Mandic’s creations and contributions over the last five years:
- published 6 Compass Guide books in English
- released 8 translated versions of these books in three languages (Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese),
- engaged 42 book reviewers from 12 countries and 6 translators,
- Dr Sandra Mandic received the New Zealand Academic Achievement in Project Management Award for two Compass Guide books (winner in 2025 and finalist in 2024),
- created over dozen short research training videos,
- designed and delivered customised research and project management training to various organisations and sectors in several countries – in English and Spanish,
- coached researchers on how to write research grant applications,
- innovated, pushed boundaries, shared insights, inspired others and
- built professional connections with many incredible individuals, teams and organisations around the globe.
This work stems from Dr Mandic’s passions for research, innovation, academia, project management, learning, sharing and building bridges between people, sectors and worlds.
No use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and no involvement of “ghost” writers, graphic designers, paid book reviewers, professional editors or external funding sources.
Dr Mandic is grateful for support of many individuals along the way – colleagues, collaborators, peer reviewers, translators, clients, friends and cheerleaders from the sidelines – and particularly her wonderful family.
Dr Mandic looks forward to seeing the AGILE Research Ltd. and the Compass Guide Research Training resources continuing to make a positive difference for many organisations, teams and individuals in the months and years to come…