Professor Victor Callan
Professor

Victor Callan

Email: 
Phone: 
+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)

81 - 100 of 300 works

2007

Journal Article

The support appraisal for work stressors inventory: Construction and initial validation

Lawrence, S. A., Gardner, M. J. and Callan, V. J. (2007). The support appraisal for work stressors inventory: Construction and initial validation. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 70 (1), 172-204. doi: 10.1016/j.jvb.2006.09.003

The support appraisal for work stressors inventory: Construction and initial validation

2007

Other Outputs

The role of VET in recidivism

Callan, Victor J. and Gardner, J. (2007). The role of VET in recidivism. Adelaide: National Centre for Vocational Education and Training.

The role of VET in recidivism

2007

Other Outputs

Understanding and resolving the skills shortage in the Australian printing industry

Callan, V. J. (2007). Understanding and resolving the skills shortage in the Australian printing industry. Adelaide, SA: National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).

Understanding and resolving the skills shortage in the Australian printing industry

2007

Journal Article

Restructuring the multi-professional organization: Professional identity and adjustment to change in a public hospital

Callan, V. J., Gallois, C., Mayhew, M., Grice, T. A., Tluchowska, M. and Boyce, R. (2007). Restructuring the multi-professional organization: Professional identity and adjustment to change in a public hospital. Journal of Health and Human Services Administration, 29 (Spring), 448-477. doi: 10.1177/107937390702900402

Restructuring the multi-professional organization: Professional identity and adjustment to change in a public hospital

2007

Journal Article

Status, equity and social identification during an intergroup merger: A longitudinal study

Amiot, C. E., Terry, D. J. and Callan, V. J. (2007). Status, equity and social identification during an intergroup merger: A longitudinal study. British Journal of Social Psychology, 46 (3), 557-577. doi: 10.1348/014466606X146015

Status, equity and social identification during an intergroup merger: A longitudinal study

2007

Other Outputs

Australian vocational education and training: research messages 2006

Callan, V. J. (2007). Australian vocational education and training: research messages 2006. Adelaide, SA Australia: National Centre for Vocational Educational Research (NCVER).

Australian vocational education and training: research messages 2006

2006

Journal Article

Management are aliens! Rumors and stress during organizational change

Bordia, Prashant, Jones, Elizabeth, Gallois, Cindy, Callan, Victor J. and Difonzo, Nicholas (2006). Management are aliens! Rumors and stress during organizational change. Group & Organization Management, 31 (5), 601-621. doi: 10.1177/1059601106286880

Management are aliens! Rumors and stress during organizational change

2006

Journal Article

Status differences in employee adjustment during organizational change

Martin, A. J., Jones, E. L. and Callan, V. J. (2006). Status differences in employee adjustment during organizational change. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 21 (2), 145-162. doi: 10.1108/02683940610650758

Status differences in employee adjustment during organizational change

2006

Conference Publication

Researching place and social identity in organizational change: A theoretically informed Leximancer analysis of a participant historiographical study

Rooney, D., Brabant, M., Paulsen, N., Callan, V. J. and Jones, E. (2006). Researching place and social identity in organizational change: A theoretically informed Leximancer analysis of a participant historiographical study. 56th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association: Networking Communication Research, Dresden, Germany, 19-23 June 2006. Washington, DC, U.S.A.: International Communication Association.

Researching place and social identity in organizational change: A theoretically informed Leximancer analysis of a participant historiographical study

2006

Conference Publication

Employee group memberships and organisational communication during organisational change

Grice, T., Gallois, C., Jones, E., Callan, V. and Paulsen, N. (2006). Employee group memberships and organisational communication during organisational change. The 34th Annual Conference of the Society for Australasian Social Psychologists, Townsville, Australia, 7 - 10 April, 2005. Basingstoke, UK: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/00049530600940006

Employee group memberships and organisational communication during organisational change

2006

Other Outputs

Ready, willing and capable: Teaching capabilities for the Queensland Vocation Education and Training (VET) Sector

Callan, V. J. (2006). Ready, willing and capable: Teaching capabilities for the Queensland Vocation Education and Training (VET) Sector. Queensland: State of Queensland, Department of Education, Training and ts.

Ready, willing and capable: Teaching capabilities for the Queensland Vocation Education and Training (VET) Sector

2006

Conference Publication

The effects of employee group memberships on organizational communication during organizational change

Grice, T. A., Gallois, C., Jones, E., Callan, V. J. and Paulsen, N. (2006). The effects of employee group memberships on organizational communication during organizational change. The 6th Australian Industrial and Organisational Psychology Conference, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Australia, 30 June - 3 July, 2005. Basingstoke, U.K.: Taylor & Francis.

The effects of employee group memberships on organizational communication during organizational change

2006

Journal Article

"We do it, but they don't": Multiple categorizations and work team communication

Grice, T. A., Gallois, C., Jones, E., Paulsen, N. and Callan, V. J. (2006). "We do it, but they don't": Multiple categorizations and work team communication. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 34 (4), 331-348. doi: 10.1080/00909880600908591

"We do it, but they don't": Multiple categorizations and work team communication

2006

Other Outputs

Australian vocational education and training: Research messages 2005

Callan, V. J. and Gardner, M J (2006). Australian vocational education and training: Research messages 2005. Adelaide, SA: National Centre for Vocational Educational Research (NCVER).

Australian vocational education and training: Research messages 2005

2006

Conference Publication

Organizational change and innovation in a research intensive organization

Paulsen, N., Maldonado Rey, D. P., Ayoko, O. B. and Callan, V. J. (2006). Organizational change and innovation in a research intensive organization. 22nd European Group of Organization Studies (EGOS) Colloquium, Bergen, Norway, 6-8 July, 2006. Berlin, Germany: European Group for Organizational Studies.

Organizational change and innovation in a research intensive organization

2006

Conference Publication

Interpersonal conflict and support mobilization: Nurses' experience of coping in the workplace

Lawrence, S. A. and Callan, V. J. (2006). Interpersonal conflict and support mobilization: Nurses' experience of coping in the workplace. Annual Meetings of the Academy of Management, Atlanta, Georgia, 11-16 August, 2006. Glassboro, New Jersey, USA: Academy of Management.

Interpersonal conflict and support mobilization: Nurses' experience of coping in the workplace

2006

Journal Article

A longitudinal investigation of coping processes during a merger: Implications for job satisfaction and organizational identification

Amiot, C. E., Terry, D. J., Jimmieson, N. L. and Callan, V. J. (2006). A longitudinal investigation of coping processes during a merger: Implications for job satisfaction and organizational identification. Journal of Management, 32 (4), 552-574. doi: 10.1177/0149206306287542

A longitudinal investigation of coping processes during a merger: Implications for job satisfaction and organizational identification

2006

Journal Article

The moderating role of perceived available support on the work-family conflict - adjustment relationship

Lawrence, S. A. and Callan, V. J. (2006). The moderating role of perceived available support on the work-family conflict - adjustment relationship. Australian Journal of Psychology, 58 (Supplement), 35-35.

The moderating role of perceived available support on the work-family conflict - adjustment relationship

2006

Other Outputs

Australian vocational education and training: Research messages 2005

Callan, V. J. (2006). Australian vocational education and training: Research messages 2005. Adelaide, SA: National Centre for Vocational Educational Research (NCVER).

Australian vocational education and training: Research messages 2005

2005

Journal Article

Demographic effects on the use of vertical sources of guidance by managers in widely differing cultural contexts

Smith, Peter B., Peterson, Mark F., Ahmad, Abd Halim, Akande, Debo, Andersen, Jon Aarum, Ayestaran, Sabino, Belotto, Massimo, Bochner, Stephen, Callan, Victor, Davila, Carlos, Ekelund, Bjorn, Francois, Pierre-Henri, Graversen, Gert, Harb, Charles, Jesuino, Jorge, Kantas, Aristotle, Karamushka, Lyudmila, Koopman, Paul, Leung, Kwok, Kruzela, Pavla, Malvezzi, Sigmar, Mogaji, Andrew, Mortazavi, Shahrenaz, Munene, John, Parry, Ken, Peng, T. K., Punnett, Betty Jane, Radford, Mark, Ropo, Arja ... Yanchuk, Vladimir (2005). Demographic effects on the use of vertical sources of guidance by managers in widely differing cultural contexts. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 5 (1), 5-26. doi: 10.1177/1470595805050822

Demographic effects on the use of vertical sources of guidance by managers in widely differing cultural contexts

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

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au