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)

281 - 300 of 300 works

1983

Journal Article

Cultural Perceptions of the Mentally-Ill - Australian and Papua New Guinean High-School Youth

Callan, Victor J., Wilks, Jeffrey and Forsyth, Stewart (1983). Cultural Perceptions of the Mentally-Ill - Australian and Papua New Guinean High-School Youth. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 17 (3), 280-285. doi: 10.3109/00048678309161285

Cultural Perceptions of the Mentally-Ill - Australian and Papua New Guinean High-School Youth

1983

Journal Article

Childlessness and Partner Selection

Callan, VJ (1983). Childlessness and Partner Selection. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 45 (1), 181-186. doi: 10.2307/351306

Childlessness and Partner Selection

1983

Journal Article

Ethnic-Stereotypes - Australian and Southern European Youth

Callan, VJ and Gallois, C (1983). Ethnic-Stereotypes - Australian and Southern European Youth. Journal of Social Psychology, 119 (2), 287-288. doi: 10.1080/00224545.1983.9922834

Ethnic-Stereotypes - Australian and Southern European Youth

1983

Journal Article

Perceptions of Parenthood and Childlessness - a Comparison of Mothers and Voluntarily Childless Wives

Callan, VJ (1983). Perceptions of Parenthood and Childlessness - a Comparison of Mothers and Voluntarily Childless Wives. Population and Environment, 6 (3), 179-189. doi: 10.1007/BF01258959

Perceptions of Parenthood and Childlessness - a Comparison of Mothers and Voluntarily Childless Wives

1982

Journal Article

How do australians value children? A review and research update using the perceptions of parents and voluntarily childless adults

Callan, Victor J. (1982). How do australians value children? A review and research update using the perceptions of parents and voluntarily childless adults. Journal of Sociology, 18 (3), 384-398. doi: 10.1177/144078338201800306

How do australians value children? A review and research update using the perceptions of parents and voluntarily childless adults

1982

Journal Article

Language Attitudes of Italo-Australian and Greek-Australian Bilinguals

Callan, VJ and Gallois, C (1982). Language Attitudes of Italo-Australian and Greek-Australian Bilinguals. International Journal of Psychology, 17 (4), 345-358. doi: 10.1080/00207598208247450

Language Attitudes of Italo-Australian and Greek-Australian Bilinguals

1982

Journal Article

Evaluations of 4 Ethnic-Groups - Level of Ethnocentrism, Favorability, and Social Distance

Gallois, C, Callan, VJ and Parslow, LA (1982). Evaluations of 4 Ethnic-Groups - Level of Ethnocentrism, Favorability, and Social Distance. Australian Journal of Psychology, 34 (3), 369-374. doi: 10.1080/00049538208254731

Evaluations of 4 Ethnic-Groups - Level of Ethnocentrism, Favorability, and Social Distance

1982

Journal Article

Practice Notes The Development Of An Ethnic Welfare Association

Callan, Victor J. and O'Hanlon, Brian (1982). Practice Notes The Development Of An Ethnic Welfare Association. Australian Social Work, 35 (4), 33-37. doi: 10.1080/03124078208549728

Practice Notes The Development Of An Ethnic Welfare Association

1982

Journal Article

Sex-Role Preference in Australian Aboriginal and White-Children

Callan, Victor J. and Liddy, Linda (1982). Sex-Role Preference in Australian Aboriginal and White-Children. Journal of Social Psychology, 117 (1), 147-148.

Sex-Role Preference in Australian Aboriginal and White-Children

1982

Journal Article

Family size intentions and attitudes to contraception: Australian and Papua New Guinean high school youth

Callan, Victor J. and Wilks, Jeffrey (1982). Family size intentions and attitudes to contraception: Australian and Papua New Guinean high school youth. Australian Journal of Sex, Marriage and Family, 3 (2), 89-94. doi: 10.1080/01591487.1982.11004212

Family size intentions and attitudes to contraception: Australian and Papua New Guinean high school youth

1982

Journal Article

Australian, Greek and Italian parents: Differentials in the value and cost of children

Callan, V. J. (1982). Australian, Greek and Italian parents: Differentials in the value and cost of children. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 13 (1), 49-61. doi: 10.3138/jcfs.13.1.49

Australian, Greek and Italian parents: Differentials in the value and cost of children

1981

Journal Article

Personality Impressions Elicited by Accented English Speech

Gallois, C and Callan, VJ (1981). Personality Impressions Elicited by Accented English Speech. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 12 (3), 347-359. doi: 10.1177/0022022181123006

Personality Impressions Elicited by Accented English Speech

1981

Journal Article

Sons or Daughters - Cross-Cultural Comparisons of the Sex Preferences of Australian, Greek, Italian, Malay, Chinese and Indian Parents in Australia and Malaysia

Callan, VJ and Kee, PK (1981). Sons or Daughters - Cross-Cultural Comparisons of the Sex Preferences of Australian, Greek, Italian, Malay, Chinese and Indian Parents in Australia and Malaysia. Population and Environment, 4 (2), 97-108. doi: 10.1007/BF01255800

Sons or Daughters - Cross-Cultural Comparisons of the Sex Preferences of Australian, Greek, Italian, Malay, Chinese and Indian Parents in Australia and Malaysia

1981

Journal Article

Population and Psychology - New Approaches to the Determinants of Fertility

Callan, V (1981). Population and Psychology - New Approaches to the Determinants of Fertility. Australian Psychologist, 16 (1), 9-19. doi: 10.1080/00050068108254411

Population and Psychology - New Approaches to the Determinants of Fertility

1980

Journal Article

The Value and Cost of Children - Australian, Greek, and Italian Couples in Sydney, Australia

Callan, VJ (1980). The Value and Cost of Children - Australian, Greek, and Italian Couples in Sydney, Australia. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 11 (4), 482-497. doi: 10.1177/0022022180114006

The Value and Cost of Children - Australian, Greek, and Italian Couples in Sydney, Australia

1980

Conference Publication

Sons or Daughters - Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Sex Preferences in Australia and Malaysia

Callan, V and Pokong, K (1980). Sons or Daughters - Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Sex Preferences in Australia and Malaysia. CARLTON: AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL SOC.

Sons or Daughters - Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Sex Preferences in Australia and Malaysia

1980

Conference Publication

Accented English and Ethnic-Stereotypes

Gallois, C and Callan, V (1980). Accented English and Ethnic-Stereotypes. CARLTON: AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL SOC.

Accented English and Ethnic-Stereotypes

1980

Journal Article

Family Size Attitudes and Use of Contraception in Sydney: Australian, Greek and Italian Parents1

Callan, Victor (1980). Family Size Attitudes and Use of Contraception in Sydney: Australian, Greek and Italian Parents1. Journal of Sociology, 16 (3), 90-96. doi: 10.1177/144078338001600312

Family Size Attitudes and Use of Contraception in Sydney: Australian, Greek and Italian Parents1

1980

Journal Article

General-Considerations in the Research of Ethnic-Minorities

Callan, V and McElwain, D (1980). General-Considerations in the Research of Ethnic-Minorities. Australian Psychologist, 15 (2), 181-187. doi: 10.1080/00050068008254382

General-Considerations in the Research of Ethnic-Minorities

1980

Journal Article

Family size intentions and sex preference

Callan, V. J. (1980). Family size intentions and sex preference. Australian Journal of Sex, Marriage and Family, 1 (4), 157-161. doi: 10.1080/01591487.1980.11004164

Family size intentions and sex preference

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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