Pat's research interests are in the fields of organisational and social systems and strategy. Pat is an applied researcher and specialises in evaluation and strategy development for businesses, not-for-profits, governments, and universities.

Pat offers the following consulting services to government, businesses, and not-for-profits: program evaluation, strategic planning, business case development, literature reviews, research, and grant/tender writing.

Pat is the Director of Strategic Projects (Research) at Charles Sturt University and has professional experience working in the community sector and government designing and implementing social services for vulnerable Australians, through the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Emergency Relief National Coordination Group, and the Department of Social Services Financial Wellbeing Branch. Prior to this, Pat held senior executive finance, general management, and governance roles in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Pat has led contemporary research and evaluation projects relating to the governance, design, and delivery of emergency relief services, homelessness services, crisis accommodation, online gambling harm minimisation, employment services, small business restructuring, and higher degree by research programs.