Professor Brian Head
Professor

Brian Head

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 67450

Background

Professor Brian Head joined the University of Queensland in mid-2007 after holding senior roles in government, universities, and the non-government sector. He is the author or editor of several books and numerous articles on public management, governance, social isues and environmental policy. His major interests are evidence-based policy, complex or 'wicked' problems, program evaluation, early intervention and prevention, collaboration and consultation, public sector integrity, and leadership. He has undertaken several consultancies on program evaluation, policy review, organisational performance, and good governance processes. He has strong interests in applied research across many areas of public policy and governance, and is committed to building closer links between the research and policy sectors. His recent books include Wicked Problems in Public Policy (2022, Palgrave, open access), Reconsidering Policy (2020, Policy Press, co-authored), and Learning Policy, Doing Policy (2021, ANU Press, co-edited).

Availability

Professor Brian Head is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Policy and administration Political science

Qualifications

  • Masters (Research), Monash University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University College London
  • Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia

Research interests

  • Evidence-based policy

  • Complex wicked problems

  • Program evaluation

  • Early intervention and prevention

  • Social inclusion

  • Leadership strategies

  • Collaboration and consultation

  • Integrity and accountability

  • Service delivery

  • Engaged research

Research impacts

Professor Brian Head has provided submissions to numerous governmental policy reviews, on topics ranging from integrity and accountability, through to innovation and research impacts. He has presented inviational keynote addresses to several international conferences and workshops, including symposia organised by the OECD. He provides expert confidential advice to a range of state and federal agencies. He has been elected a Fellow of two professional associations and is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.

Search Professor Brian Head’s works on UQ eSpace

221 works between 1997 and 2025
All (221) Journal Article (126) Book Chapter (38) Conference Publication (17) Book (9) Other Outputs (31)

21 - 40 of 221 works

2023

Journal Article

Stakeholder engagement in natural resources for energy transitions governance

Han, Ziyan, Wei, Yongping, Johnston, Kim and Head, Brian (2023). Stakeholder engagement in natural resources for energy transitions governance. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 102 107206, 107206. doi: 10.1016/j.eiar.2023.107206

Stakeholder engagement in natural resources for energy transitions governance

2023

Book Chapter

Strategic public management and the role of senior executives: the case of Australia

Colley, Linda, Woods, Shelley and Head, BW. (2023). Strategic public management and the role of senior executives: the case of Australia. Handbook on Strategic Public Management. (pp. 238-259) edited by Carsten Greve and Tamyko Ysa. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar.

Strategic public management and the role of senior executives: the case of Australia

2023

Journal Article

A network approach to analyse Australia’s blue economy policy and legislative arrangements

Frohlich, Miguel, Fidelman, Pedro, Dutton, Ian, Haward, Marcus, Head, Brian W., Maynard, Dianne, Rissik, David and Vince, Joanna (2023). A network approach to analyse Australia’s blue economy policy and legislative arrangements. Marine Policy, 151 105588, 105588. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105588

A network approach to analyse Australia’s blue economy policy and legislative arrangements

2023

Book Chapter

Wicked Problems in Public Policy

Head, Brian W. (2023). Wicked Problems in Public Policy. Encyclopedia of Public Policy. (pp. 1-8) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-90434-0_43-1

Wicked Problems in Public Policy

2022

Other Outputs

Stronger places, stronger people- alignment of frameworks and funding

Lata, Lutfun Nahar, Reddel, Tim and Head, Brian (2022). Stronger places, stronger people- alignment of frameworks and funding. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.

Stronger places, stronger people- alignment of frameworks and funding

2022

Journal Article

Embedding expertise for policy responses to COVID-19: comparing decision-making structures in two federal democracies

Easton, Marleen, De Paepe, Jasper, Evans, Phoebe, Head, Brian W. and Yarnold, Jennifer (2022). Embedding expertise for policy responses to COVID-19: comparing decision-making structures in two federal democracies. Public Organization Review, 22 (2), 309-326. doi: 10.1007/s11115-022-00629-6

Embedding expertise for policy responses to COVID-19: comparing decision-making structures in two federal democracies

2022

Book

Wicked problems in public policy

Head, Brian W. (2022). Wicked problems in public policy. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-94580-0

Wicked problems in public policy

2022

Book Chapter

Coping with wicked problems in policy design

Head, Brian W. (2022). Coping with wicked problems in policy design. Research handbook of policy design. (pp. 155-175) Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing. doi: 10.4337/9781839106606.00018

Coping with wicked problems in policy design

2021

Journal Article

Pandemic effects on public service employment in Australia

Colley, Linda, Woods, Shelley and Head, Brian (2021). Pandemic effects on public service employment in Australia. Economic and Labour Relations Review, 33 (1), 103530462110560-79. doi: 10.1177/10353046211056093

Pandemic effects on public service employment in Australia

2021

Journal Article

Community perspectives on sustainable urban water security

Allan, Julie V., Fielding, Kelly S., Kenway, Steven J. and Head, Brian W. (2021). Community perspectives on sustainable urban water security. Urban Water Journal, 19 (4), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/1573062x.2021.2001545

Community perspectives on sustainable urban water security

2021

Journal Article

The health impacts of ambient air pollution in Australia: a systematic literature review

Walter, Clare M., Schneider-Futschik, Elena K. , Hall, Nina L., Sly, Peter, Head, Brian W. and Knibbs, Luke D. (2021). The health impacts of ambient air pollution in Australia: a systematic literature review. Internal Medicine Journal, 51 (10), 1567-1579. doi: 10.1111/imj.15415

The health impacts of ambient air pollution in Australia: a systematic literature review

2021

Journal Article

In search of policy innovation: Behavioural Insights Teams in Australia and New Zealand

Jones, Stephen, Head, Brian and Ferguson, Michele (2021). In search of policy innovation: Behavioural Insights Teams in Australia and New Zealand. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 80 (3), 435-452. doi: 10.1111/1467-8500.12478

In search of policy innovation: Behavioural Insights Teams in Australia and New Zealand

2021

Book

Learning Policy, Doing Policy : Interactions Between Public Policy Theory, Practice and Teaching

Trish Mercer, Russell Ayres, , Brian Head and John Wanna eds. (2021). Learning Policy, Doing Policy : Interactions Between Public Policy Theory, Practice and Teaching. Acton, ACT Australia: ANU Press. doi: 10.2307/j.ctv1j9mjmg

Learning Policy, Doing Policy : Interactions Between Public Policy Theory, Practice and Teaching

2021

Journal Article

Urban water security priorities - an Australian industry perspective

Allan, Julie, Kenway, Steven J. and Head, Brian W. (2021). Urban water security priorities - an Australian industry perspective. Water Supply, 21 (2), 710-722. doi: 10.2166/ws.2020.348

Urban water security priorities - an Australian industry perspective

2021

Other Outputs

Senior Executive Service Case Study: New South Wales

Head, Brian and Colley, Linda (2021). Senior Executive Service Case Study: New South Wales. Research Insights Australia and New Zealand School of Government. doi: 10.54810/lefj3007

Senior Executive Service Case Study: New South Wales

2021

Other Outputs

Review of monitoring, evaluation and reporting approaches and outcomes in Parks Australia

Jacobson, Chris, Hockings, Marc, Watson, James, Head, Brian and Fidelman, Pedro (2021). Review of monitoring, evaluation and reporting approaches and outcomes in Parks Australia . Online: University of Queensland.

Review of monitoring, evaluation and reporting approaches and outcomes in Parks Australia

2021

Other Outputs

Mapping and analysis of blue economy policy and legislative arrangements

Fidelman, Pedro, Frohlich, Miguel, Head, Brian, Haward, Marcus, Vince, Joanna, Rissik, David, Dutton, Ian and Maynard, Dianne (2021). Mapping and analysis of blue economy policy and legislative arrangements. Launceston, TAS Australia: Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre.

Mapping and analysis of blue economy policy and legislative arrangements

2021

Other Outputs

Senior Executive Service Case Study - Queensland

Head, Brian and Colley, Linda (2021). Senior Executive Service Case Study - Queensland. Research Insights Australia and New Zealand School of Government. doi: 10.54810/hbes8104

Senior Executive Service Case Study - Queensland

2021

Journal Article

Rising to Ostrom’s challenge: an invitation to walk on the bright side of public governance and public service

Douglas, Scott, Schillemans, Thomas, ‘t Hart, Paul, Ansell, Chris, Bøgh Andersen, Lotte, Flinders, Matthew, Head, Brian, Moynihan, Donald, Nabatchi, Tina, O’Flynn, Janine, Peters, B. Guy, Raadschelders, Jos, Sancino, Alessandro, Sørensen, Eva and Torfing, Jacob (2021). Rising to Ostrom’s challenge: an invitation to walk on the bright side of public governance and public service. Policy Design and Practice, 4 (4), 441-451. doi: 10.1080/25741292.2021.1972517

Rising to Ostrom’s challenge: an invitation to walk on the bright side of public governance and public service

2021

Other Outputs

Senior Executive Service Case Study: Western Australia

Head, Brian and Colley, Linda (2021). Senior Executive Service Case Study: Western Australia. Research Insights Australia and New Zealand School of Government. doi: 10.54810/txef1190

Senior Executive Service Case Study: Western Australia

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Pre-conditions for the development of offshore wind energy in Australia (Blue Economy CRC project led by Uni Tasmania)
    Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Enhancing and evaluating stakeholder engagement for improved water outcomes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022
    Stronger Places, Strong People- alignment of frameworks and funding
    Collaboration for Impact Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Environmental indicators for tracking environmental condition and trend in Queensland
    Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Improving the effectiveness of environmental policy in Australia - using regulation, markets and science to achieve sustainability goals
    Australian Political Studies Association
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Water resources management: past transformations for future sustainability
    ARC Special Research Initiatives - Australian Society, History and Culture 2020
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    RRAP-REG-01-V1 Regulatory and Policy Environment (Great Barrier Reef Foundation funding administered by AIMS)
    Australian Institute of Marine Science
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Mapping and analysis of blue economy policy and legislative arrangements
    Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    The Integrated Bio-economy Project and the Controlled Biosphere
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Services to support the development Queensland's Post 2020 Climate Strategy
    Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Hierarchy to high-performance? Evaluating 30yrs of Senior Executive Service
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Behavioural insights in the Australian public sector
    The Australia and New Zealand School of Government
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Water Utility Reform in Australia: Lessons for India
    International WaterCentre Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Resolving Complex Policy Problems - the role of social science
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014
    The governance of adaptive development practice in complex Indigenous contexts
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Water-energy-carbon linkages in households and cities: a new paradigm
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2018
    Centre for Research Excellence in Evidence-based Mental Health Planning: Translating Evidence into Policy and Services
    NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Research Proposal: How do government agencies use evidence?
    The National Board of Health and Welfare
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Better governance for complex decision-making
    CRC for Water Sensitive Cities
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Better Regulatory Frameworks for Water Sensitive Cities
    CRC for Water Sensitive Cities
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Strategies for Influencing the Political Dynamics of Decision-Making
    CRC for Water Sensitive Cities
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Aboriginal responses to climate change in arid zone Australia - Regional understandings and capacity building for adaptation
    Climate Change Adaptation Research Grants Program
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Enhancing Risk Communication Regarding Potable Water Reuse (Administered by UNSW)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    Collaborative Research Network Southern Cross University: Policy and Planning Research for Sustainable Regions
    Collaborative Research Networks (DIISR 3rd Party)
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Human factors in urban water system safety (SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance)
    Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Trust
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    The Utilisation of Social Science Research in Policy Development and Program Review
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2016
    Evaluation of the Evolve behaviour support service
    Disability Services Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Housing - Housing Assistance and Homelessness Prevention
    Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    ResTeach 2010 0.2 FTE School of Political Science and International Studies
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Collaboration as a solution to wicked public policy problems: the example of regional environmental and natural resources policy in Australia
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2016
    Early intervention services for children with a physical disability
    Disability Services Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2012
    Demand Management and Communication Research (SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance)
    Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Trust
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2012
    Institutional Change for Water Management (SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance)
    Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Trust
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Brian Head is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Enabling empowerment: exploring better ways to close the gap for all Australians in the Bottom Million

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tim Reddel

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The lessons from international development for indigenous affairs

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tim Reddel

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Influence of the Prospect of Biodiversity Offsetting on Development Impact Permitting

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mitigating the health impacts of air pollution in Australia. From research to policy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Sly, Associate Professor Nina Lansbury

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the evolution of catchment water balance in the Murray-Darling Basin

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Yongping Wei

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Unfolding Stakeholder Engagement in Water Governance in the Murray-Darling Basin

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Yongping Wei

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Political History of Modern Queensland

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Byrnes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Unfolding Stakeholder Engagement in Water Governance in the Murray-Darling Basin

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Yongping Wei

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mitigating the health impacts of air pollution in Australia. From research to policy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Sly, Associate Professor Nina Lansbury

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Brian Head directly for media enquiries about:

  • Collaboration
  • Environmental policy
  • Evidence-based policy
  • Innovation policy - social sciences
  • Policy - Environmental
  • Policy - social
  • Policy - water
  • Social policy
  • Social sciences - innovation policy
  • Water policy

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