Professor Victor Callan
Professor

Victor Callan

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+61 7 334 68013

Background

Victor Callan AM is Professor of Leadership and Organisational Change at the University of Queensland (UQ) Business School in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. His research investigates a variety of factors impacting on organisational change, leadership performance and employee training, and he is one of Australia's most recognised researchers in these fields.

In terms of recognition by external bodies, Victor has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, a Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for his significant service to higher education in the field of management as a researcher and adviser to Government and industry. Within UQ, Victor has been awarded the University's Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision for the quality of outcomes associated with his PhD supervision. In addition, he is a recipient of two UQ Excellence in Leadership Awards for his roles in developing strong research, consulting and industry partnerships.

Victor is a regular contributor to executive education for senior managers and executives in the public and private sectors in Australia and internationally. He has completed over 100 projects as an adviser for Federal, State and local government departments including major reviews on employee skills, vocational education and training, major industry closures and workforce development. He has also completed organisational and workforce development projects internationally, including for governments and organisations in South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Indonesia, Bhutan, Brunei, New Zealand, PNG and for South Pacific countries.

Currently his major teaching activities at UQ are in courses associated with MBA students, and students in the Bachelor of Advanced Business Honours program. In 2025 as one of the four Chief Investigators, he has begun his 14th Australian Research Council (ARC) project, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), Mimal Land Council, and Indigenous women’s groups across northern Australia.

Availability

Professor Victor Callan is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services Psychology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, University of New South Wales
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University

Research interests

  • Organisational Change, Leadership and Skills Development

    1. Organisational Change and Leadership Special interest in employees' and leaders' experiences with large scale organisational change, examining their levels of adaptation, personal capabilities, as well as the communication and team dynamics. 2. Employee Skills, Capabilities and Training Examinations of effective responses to skills development and shortages, including strategies around recognition of prior learning, e-learning, new models of apprenticeships and strategies to assist displaced older workers, training and retraining including downsized employees, and the skills of leaders and chairpersons required of corporate boards.

Research impacts

Published reports for the National Centre for Vocational Education Research by Professor Callan are informing public policy in the areas of workforce development, apprenticeships, the application of e-learning in the workplace, and the development of improved pathways between the vocational education and higher education sectors. In addition, he has completed numerous evaluations of the effectiveness of State and Federal Government programs including evaluations of training programs in prisons; new models for the delivery of mental health services; programs to introduce more e-learning and e-assessment into workplaces; investigations into programs to assist employees impacted by large scale industry closures; and evaluations of various forms of apprenticeship models. His published academic work that consists of over 250 publications is presented into various executive education and middle manager programs for UQ, especially around applications for improved leadership, better communication, changes to workplace training and more successful change management.

Search Professor Victor Callan’s works on UQ eSpace

300 works between 1980 and 2025
All (300) Journal Article (178) Book Chapter (16) Conference Publication (60) Book (17) Other Outputs (29)

241 - 260 of 300 works

1987

Journal Article

Cross-cultural perspectives on teenage alcohol use

Callan, V. J. and Wilks, J. (1987). Cross-cultural perspectives on teenage alcohol use. Pediatrician, 14 (1-2), 7-12.

Cross-cultural perspectives on teenage alcohol use

1987

Book

Marriage and the family

Callan, Victor J. and Noller, Patricia (1987). Marriage and the family. Sydney, NSW Australia: Methuen.

Marriage and the family

1987

Journal Article

Anglo-Australians' and immigrants' attitudes toward language and accent: A review of experimental and survey research

Callan, V. J. and Gallois, C. (1987). Anglo-Australians' and immigrants' attitudes toward language and accent: A review of experimental and survey research. International Migration Review, 21 (1), 48-69. doi: 10.2307/2546129

Anglo-Australians' and immigrants' attitudes toward language and accent: A review of experimental and survey research

1986

Journal Article

Australia in Transition - Culture and Life Possibilities - Poole,me, Delacey,pr, Randhawa,bs

Callan, VJ (1986). Australia in Transition - Culture and Life Possibilities - Poole,me, Delacey,pr, Randhawa,bs. Australian Psychologist, 21 (3), 479-480.

Australia in Transition - Culture and Life Possibilities - Poole,me, Delacey,pr, Randhawa,bs

1986

Journal Article

Perceptions of Communicative Relationships in Families with Adolescents

Callan, VJ and Noller, P (1986). Perceptions of Communicative Relationships in Families with Adolescents. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 48 (4), 813-820. doi: 10.2307/352574

Perceptions of Communicative Relationships in Families with Adolescents

1986

Journal Article

Decoding emotional messages: Influence of ethnicity, sex, message type, and channel

Gallois, Cynthia and Callan, Victor J. (1986). Decoding emotional messages: Influence of ethnicity, sex, message type, and channel. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51 (4), 755-762. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.51.4.755

Decoding emotional messages: Influence of ethnicity, sex, message type, and channel

1986

Journal Article

Single Women, Voluntary Childlessness and Perceptions About Life and Marriage

Callan, VJ (1986). Single Women, Voluntary Childlessness and Perceptions About Life and Marriage. Journal of Biosocial Science, 18 (4), 479-487. doi: 10.1017/S0021932000016497

Single Women, Voluntary Childlessness and Perceptions About Life and Marriage

1986

Journal Article

The Impact of the 1St Birth - Married and Single Women Preferring Childlessness, One Child, or 2 Children

Callan, VJ (1986). The Impact of the 1St Birth - Married and Single Women Preferring Childlessness, One Child, or 2 Children. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 48 (2), 261-269. doi: 10.2307/352393

The Impact of the 1St Birth - Married and Single Women Preferring Childlessness, One Child, or 2 Children

1986

Journal Article

Adolescent and Parent Perceptions of Family Cohesion and Adaptability

Noller, P and Callan, VJ (1986). Adolescent and Parent Perceptions of Family Cohesion and Adaptability. Journal of Adolescence, 9 (1), 97-106. doi: 10.1016/S0140-1971(86)80030-6

Adolescent and Parent Perceptions of Family Cohesion and Adaptability

1986

Journal Article

Children of Alcoholic Fathers and Recovered Alcoholic Fathers - Personal and Family Functioning

Callan, V. J. and Jackson, D. (1986). Children of Alcoholic Fathers and Recovered Alcoholic Fathers - Personal and Family Functioning. Journal of Studies On Alcohol, 47 (2), 180-182. doi: 10.15288/jsa.1986.47.180

Children of Alcoholic Fathers and Recovered Alcoholic Fathers - Personal and Family Functioning

1986

Journal Article

Pregnancy as seen by mothers wanting one or two children, voluntarily childless wives and single women

Callan, V. J. (1986). Pregnancy as seen by mothers wanting one or two children, voluntarily childless wives and single women. Australian Journal of Sex, Marriage and Family, 7 (2), 83-89. doi: 10.1080/01591487.1986.11004345

Pregnancy as seen by mothers wanting one or two children, voluntarily childless wives and single women

1986

Book

Australian minority groups

Callan, Victor J. (1986). Australian minority groups. Sydney, NSW Australia: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Australian minority groups

1985

Journal Article

Problem-Solving interactions between Greek mothers and children

Castan, B., Gallois, C. and Callan, V. J. (1985). Problem-Solving interactions between Greek mothers and children. Journal of Social Psychology, 125 (3), 335-340. doi: 10.1080/00224545.1985.9922895

Problem-Solving interactions between Greek mothers and children

1985

Journal Article

The influence of ethnocentrism and ethnic label on the appreciation of disparagement jokes

Gallois, C. and Callan, V. J. (1985). The influence of ethnocentrism and ethnic label on the appreciation of disparagement jokes. International Journal of Psychology, 20 (1), 63-76. doi: 10.1002/j.1464-066X.1985.tb00014.x

The influence of ethnocentrism and ethnic label on the appreciation of disparagement jokes

1985

Journal Article

Cross-Cultural Perspectives On Teenage Attitudes to Alcohol

Wilks, J, Callan, VJ and Forsyth, SJ (1985). Cross-Cultural Perspectives On Teenage Attitudes to Alcohol. International Journal of the Addictions, 20 (4), 547-561. doi: 10.3109/10826088509044934

Cross-Cultural Perspectives On Teenage Attitudes to Alcohol

1985

Book

Choices about children

Callan, Victor J. (1985). Choices about children. Melbourne, VIC Australia: Longman Cheshire.

Choices about children

1985

Journal Article

Sex-role attitudes and attitudes to marriage among urban Greek-Australian and Anglo-Australian youth

Callan, V. J. and Gallois, C. (1985). Sex-role attitudes and attitudes to marriage among urban Greek-Australian and Anglo-Australian youth. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 16 (3), 345-356. doi: 10.3138/jcfs.16.3.345

Sex-role attitudes and attitudes to marriage among urban Greek-Australian and Anglo-Australian youth

1985

Journal Article

Perceptions of Parents, the Voluntarily and Involuntarily Childless - a Multidimensional-Scaling Analysis

Callan, VJ (1985). Perceptions of Parents, the Voluntarily and Involuntarily Childless - a Multidimensional-Scaling Analysis. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 47 (4), 1045-1050. doi: 10.2307/352349

Perceptions of Parents, the Voluntarily and Involuntarily Childless - a Multidimensional-Scaling Analysis

1985

Journal Article

Comparisons of Mothers of One Child by Choice with Mothers Wanting a 2Nd Birth

Callan, VJ (1985). Comparisons of Mothers of One Child by Choice with Mothers Wanting a 2Nd Birth. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 47 (1), 155-164. doi: 10.2307/352077

Comparisons of Mothers of One Child by Choice with Mothers Wanting a 2Nd Birth

1984

Journal Article

Personality judgements of Australian aborigine and white speakers: ethnicity, sex and context

Gallois, C., Callan, V. J. and Johnstone, M. (1984). Personality judgements of Australian aborigine and white speakers: ethnicity, sex and context. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 3 (1), 39-57. doi: 10.1177/0261927X8431003

Personality judgements of Australian aborigine and white speakers: ethnicity, sex and context

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Amplifying leadership and voices of Indigenous women environmental rangers
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2023
    Careers in everyday industries: Potential benefits of increased visibility (National Careers Institute Partnerships Grant)
    Federation University Australia
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2023
    Taylor Family Director (Chair) of The Centre for the Business and Economics of Health
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    Managing Key Professional Transitions in the Health Sector
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Newcomer Socialisation: Testing a Human Resources Model
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Newcomer socialisation: Examining the processes predicting changes in organisational identification over time
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Team processes, identification, and reliable performance: Implementing the Balanced Scorecard in health service teams
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    Coping with an Organizational Merger: A Longitudinal Study Investigating Changes in Social Identification Among Employees from High and Low Status Pre-Merger Organizations
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Identifying and Removing Boundaries to Effective Team Functioning and Communication
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2007
    Site-Level Community Engagement Processes in the Australian Minerals Industry: A Comparative Analysis
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    The Management of Information Technology Based Organisational Change
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Community Consultative Mechanisms in the Australian Minerals Industry: An Evaluation
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Employee adjustment to organisation change: applying social identity theory
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2002
    Employee adjustment to organisational change: The role of communication and intergroup perceptions.
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 2000
    UQ - Wolston Park Hospital Collaboration Framework Agreement
    Wolston Park Hospital
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Employee Adjustment to Continue Organisational Change
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Employee adjustment to continued organisational change
    Department of Public Works & Housing
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Employee adjustment to continued organisational change (in kind contribution only - no cash)
    Princess Alexandra Hospital
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    Validation of a strategic organisational culture survey
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Communication and workplace diversity
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Victor Callan is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The role of maverickism in driving cultural transformation to achieve future workforce objectives

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ree Jordan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Asian-Australian Leaders' Ascension to Top Management Teams and their Contributon to Organisational Resilience

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ree Jordan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Asian-Australian Leaders' Ascension to Top Management Teams and their Contributon to Organisational Resilience

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ree Jordan

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Victor Callan directly for media enquiries about:

  • Leadership
  • Organisational change
  • Training and skills - work
  • Work place communication

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