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)

61 - 80 of 300 works

2011

Journal Article

National culture as a moderator of the relationship between managers' use of guidance sources and how well work events are handled

Smith, Peter B., Peterson, Mark F., Thomason, Stephanie, J. and Callan, Victor J. (2011). National culture as a moderator of the relationship between managers' use of guidance sources and how well work events are handled. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 42 (6), 1101-1221. doi: 10.1177/0022022110381427

National culture as a moderator of the relationship between managers' use of guidance sources and how well work events are handled

2011

Journal Article

Talking up failure: How discourse can signal failure to change

Schwarz, Gavin M., Watson, Bernadette M. and Callan, Victor J. (2011). Talking up failure: How discourse can signal failure to change. Management Communication Quarterly, 25 (2), 311-352. doi: 10.1177/0893318910389433

Talking up failure: How discourse can signal failure to change

2010

Book

Sustaining e-learning innovations: A review of the evidence and future directions : Final report

Callan, Victor J. and Bowman, Kaye (2010). Sustaining e-learning innovations: A review of the evidence and future directions : Final report. Australia: Australian Flexible Learning Framework.

Sustaining e-learning innovations: A review of the evidence and future directions : Final report

2010

Journal Article

Teams' reactions to conflict and teams' task and social outcomes: The moderating role of transformational and emotional leadership

Ayoko, O. B. and Callan, V. J. (2010). Teams' reactions to conflict and teams' task and social outcomes: The moderating role of transformational and emotional leadership. European Management Journal, 28 (3), 220-235. doi: 10.1016/j.emj.2009.07.001

Teams' reactions to conflict and teams' task and social outcomes: The moderating role of transformational and emotional leadership

2010

Book

Fostering enterprise innovation: Exploring further the leadership of innovation

Callan, V. J. and Esposo, S. (2010). Fostering enterprise innovation: Exploring further the leadership of innovation. Innovation & Business Skills Australia.

Fostering enterprise innovation: Exploring further the leadership of innovation

2010

Book

E-assessment and the AQTF: bridging the divide between practitioners and auditors

Callan, Victor and Clayton, Berwyn (2010). E-assessment and the AQTF: bridging the divide between practitioners and auditors. Canberra, Australia: Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

E-assessment and the AQTF: bridging the divide between practitioners and auditors

2010

Journal Article

A new role for place identity in managing organizational change

Rooney, David, Paulsen, Neil, Callan, Victor J., Brabant, Madeleine, Gallois, Cindy and Jones, Elizabeth (2010). A new role for place identity in managing organizational change. Management Communication Quarterly, 24 (1), 44-73. doi: 10.1177/0893318909351434

A new role for place identity in managing organizational change

2010

Conference Publication

The anatomy of leadership in clinical health networks

Paulsen, Neil, Johnston, Margaret, Callan, Victor J., Ayoko, Oluremi (Remi) B. and Simmons, Sharelle (2010). The anatomy of leadership in clinical health networks. 24th ANZAM Conference 2010, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 8-10 December 2010. Australia: ANZAM.

The anatomy of leadership in clinical health networks

2009

Journal Article

Charismatic leadership, change and innovation in an R&D organization

Paulsen, Neil, Maldonado, Diana, Callan, Victor J. and Ayoko, Oluremi (2009). Charismatic leadership, change and innovation in an R&D organization. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 22 (5), 511-523. doi: 10.1108/09534810910983479

Charismatic leadership, change and innovation in an R&D organization

2009

Other Outputs

How organisations are using e-learning to support national training initiatives: Case studies

Callan, Victor J. (2009). How organisations are using e-learning to support national training initiatives: Case studies. Canberra, ACT: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

How organisations are using e-learning to support national training initiatives: Case studies

2009

Book

How organisations are using e-learning to support national training initiatives

Callan, Victor J. (2009). How organisations are using e-learning to support national training initiatives. Canberra, ACT: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

How organisations are using e-learning to support national training initiatives

2009

Book Chapter

Building employee engagement, job satisfaction, health, and retention

Callan, Victor J. and Lawrence, Sandra A. (2009). Building employee engagement, job satisfaction, health, and retention. The Oxford Handbook of Organizational Well-Being. (pp. 411-438) edited by S. Cartwright and C.L. Cooper. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199211913.003.0017

Building employee engagement, job satisfaction, health, and retention

2009

Conference Publication

The role of transformational and emotional leadership in the relationship between conflict and team outcomes

Ayoko, Oluremi and Callan, Victor (2009). The role of transformational and emotional leadership in the relationship between conflict and team outcomes. 22nd Annual International Association of Conflict Management Conference, Kyoto, Japan, 15-19 June, 2009. SSRN eLibrary: Social Science Research Network (SSRN).

The role of transformational and emotional leadership in the relationship between conflict and team outcomes

2008

Journal Article

All the world's a stage

Callan, V. J. and Latemore, G. (2008). All the world's a stage. Monash Business Review, 4 (2), 38-39. doi: 10.2104/mbr08031

All the world's a stage

2008

Book

Accelerated Apprenticeships: Apprentice, Employer and Teaching Staff Perceptions

Callan, V. J. (2008). Accelerated Apprenticeships: Apprentice, Employer and Teaching Staff Perceptions. Adelaide, S.A.: National Centre for Vocational Educational Research.

Accelerated Apprenticeships: Apprentice, Employer and Teaching Staff Perceptions

2008

Journal Article

The influence of team emotional intelligence climate on conflict and team members' reactions to conflict

Ayoko, Oluremi B., Callan, Victor J. and Härtel, Charmine E. J. (2008). The influence of team emotional intelligence climate on conflict and team members' reactions to conflict. Small Group Research, 39 (2), 121-149. doi: 10.1177/1046496407304921

The influence of team emotional intelligence climate on conflict and team members' reactions to conflict

2008

Book Chapter

Intergroup dimensions of organizational life

Callan, Victor J. (2008). Intergroup dimensions of organizational life. The International Encyclopedia of Communication. (pp. 2381-2385) edited by W. Donsbach. Malden, MA, U.S.A.: Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/b.9781405131995.2008.x

Intergroup dimensions of organizational life

2008

Journal Article

Employee perceptions of organizational change: Impact of hierarchical level

Jones, Liz, Watson, Bernadette, Hobman, Elizabeth, Bordia, Prashant, Gallois, Cindy and Callan, Victor J. (2008). Employee perceptions of organizational change: Impact of hierarchical level. Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 29 (4), 294-316. doi: 10.1108/01437730810876122

Employee perceptions of organizational change: Impact of hierarchical level

2007

Other Outputs

Approaches for sustaining and building management and leadership capability in VET providers

Callan, V. J., Mitchell, J., Clayton, B. and Smith, L. (2007). Approaches for sustaining and building management and leadership capability in VET providers. Adelaide: National Centre for Vocational Education Research.

Approaches for sustaining and building management and leadership capability in VET providers

2007

Journal Article

Group-directed criticisms and recommendations for change: Why newcomers arouse more resistance than old-timers

Hornsey, M. J., Grice, T., Jetten, J., Paulsen, N. and Callan, V. (2007). Group-directed criticisms and recommendations for change: Why newcomers arouse more resistance than old-timers. Personality And Social Psychology Bulletin, 33 (7), 1036-1048. doi: 10.1177/0146167207301029

Group-directed criticisms and recommendations for change: Why newcomers arouse more resistance than old-timers

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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