Overview
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
Qualifications
- Masters (Research), Monash University
- Doctor of Philosophy, London School of Economics and Political Science
- Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
Research interests
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Evidence-based policy
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Complex wicked problems
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Program evaluation
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Early intervention and prevention
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Social inclusion
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Leadership strategies
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Collaboration and consultation
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Integrity and accountability
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Service delivery
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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.
Works
Search Professor Brian Head’s works on UQ eSpace
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
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
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
2021
Book Chapter
Policy expertise and policy markets: challenges for tackling complex problems in turbulent times
Head, Brian W. (2021). Policy expertise and policy markets: challenges for tackling complex problems in turbulent times. The future of the policy sciences. (pp. 121-139) edited by Anis Ben Brik and Leslie A. Pal. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing. doi: 10.4337/9781800376489.00015
2021
Other Outputs
Senior Executive Case Study - Northern Territory
Head, Brian and Colley, Linda (2021). Senior Executive Case Study - Northern Territory. Research Insights Australia and New Zealand School of Government. doi: 10.54810/wjdb1277
2021
Other Outputs
Senior Executive Service Case Study: Commonwealth
Head, Brian and Colley, Linda (2021). Senior Executive Service Case Study: Commonwealth. Research Insights Australia and New Zealand School of Government. doi: 10.54810/jzso5617
2021
Journal Article
Behavioural insights teams in practice: nudge missions and methods on trial
Ball, Sarah and Head, Brian W. (2021). Behavioural insights teams in practice: nudge missions and methods on trial. Policy and Politics, 49 (1), 105-120. doi: 10.1332/030557320X15840777045205
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
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.
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.
2020
Journal Article
Using a process-based model to understand dynamics of Chinese agricultural and water technology development from 8000 bc to 1911 ad
Wu, Shuanglei, Wei, Yongping, Head, Brian, Zhao, Yan and Hanna, Scott (2020). Using a process-based model to understand dynamics of Chinese agricultural and water technology development from 8000 bc to 1911 ad. Ambio, 50 (5), 1101-1116. doi: 10.1007/s13280-020-01424-7
2020
Journal Article
Measuring the structure of a technology system for directing technological transition
Wu, Shuanglei, Wei, Yongping, Head, Brian and Hanna, Scott (2020). Measuring the structure of a technology system for directing technological transition. Global Challenges, 5 (2) 2000073, 1-9. doi: 10.1002/gch2.202000073
2020
Other Outputs
Strategic issues and opportunities for the acquisition of thermal coal mining assets for managed closure
Franks, Daniel, Bainton, Nick, Head, Brian, Côte, Claire, Erskine, Peter, Fidelman, Pedro, Kemp, Deanna and Flomenhoft, Gary (2020). Strategic issues and opportunities for the acquisition of thermal coal mining assets for managed closure. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2020
Journal Article
Testing the Limits of Public Integrity: The Impact of Vested Interests and Countervailing Forces on Indonesia’s KPK
Umam, Ahmad Khoirul and Head, Brian (2020). Testing the Limits of Public Integrity: The Impact of Vested Interests and Countervailing Forces on Indonesia’s KPK. Asian Politics and Policy, 12 (3), 384-403. doi: 10.1111/aspp.12548
2020
Journal Article
Transitioning toward sustainable cities-challenges of collaboration and integration
van de Meene, Susan, Bettini, Yvette and Head, Brian W. (2020). Transitioning toward sustainable cities-challenges of collaboration and integration. Sustainability, 12 (11) 4509, 4509. doi: 10.3390/su12114509
2020
Journal Article
Uber in Queensland: from policy fortress to policy change
Stein, Elliot James and Head, Brian W. (2020). Uber in Queensland: from policy fortress to policy change. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 79 (4), 462-479. doi: 10.1111/1467-8500.12416
2020
Journal Article
Why information and transparency about electricity matter: fragmentation of governance and accountability under New Public Management
Molyneaux, Lynette and Head, Brian (2020). Why information and transparency about electricity matter: fragmentation of governance and accountability under New Public Management. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 79 (1) 1467-8500.12404, 143-164. doi: 10.1111/1467-8500.12404
2020
Journal Article
The transition to improved water-related energy management: enabling contexts for policy innovation
Binks, Amanda, Head, Brian, Lant, Paul and Kenway, Steven (2020). The transition to improved water-related energy management: enabling contexts for policy innovation. Water, 12 (2) 557, 557. doi: 10.3390/w12020557
2020
Journal Article
Bridging the research–policy gap: the importance of effective identity leadership and shared commitment
Mols, Frank, Bell, Jennifer and Head, Brian (2020). Bridging the research–policy gap: the importance of effective identity leadership and shared commitment. Evidence and Policy, 16 (1) 10.1332/174426418X15378681300533, 145-163. doi: 10.1332/174426418X15378681300533
2020
Journal Article
Addressing corruption in post-Soeharto Indonesia: the role of the Corruption Eradication Commission
Umam, Ahmad Khoirul, Whitehouse, Gillian, Head, Brian and Khan, Mohammed Adil (2020). Addressing corruption in post-Soeharto Indonesia: the role of the Corruption Eradication Commission. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 50 (1), 125-143. doi: 10.1080/00472336.2018.1552983
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Brian Head is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Unfolding Stakeholder Engagement in Water Governance in the Murray-Darling Basin
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yongping Wei
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Influence of the Prospect of Biodiversity Offsetting on Development Impact Permitting
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the evolution of catchment water balance 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
Completed supervision
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Redress for the Forgotten Australians. Assessing the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Care.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Karen Healy
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
The design and implementation of gambling regulation: a Queensland case study
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alastair Stark
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
New ways of working? Policy framing, bureaucratic mindsets and resistance to change in Australian remote Indigenous policy.
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Connecting Research and Policy: How linkages support the use of research evidence in social policymaking
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Adrian Cherney
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Knowledge brokering: bridging the gap between academia and policy making in Australia?
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Adrian Cherney
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
SCEPTICISM ABOUT ANTHROPOGENIC CLIMATE DISRUPTION: A CONCEPTUAL EXPLORATION
Principal Advisor
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2025
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
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2025
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
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Defining urban water security and understanding the role of stakeholders in establishing objectives
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Kenway
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Defining and Measuring the Impact of Research on Mental Health Policy in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Professor Harvey Whiteford
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the impacts of technology development on human-natural system: Agricultural and water technology in China from 8000 BCE to 1911 AD
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yan Zhao, Professor Yongping Wei
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Behaviour change, rigorous evidence and public policy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Emma Antrobus, Associate Professor Sarah Bennett, Professor Cameron Parsell
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Residential water and energy use linkages: Integrating data and policy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Kenway
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Strategic decision-making for climate change: Dominant discourses and sensemaking for extreme dry weather events
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Griffiths
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Education and Training Reforms for the Future, 1996-2006: Policy Ideas, Networks and Interventions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Roger Scott
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Addressing Corruption in Post-Soeharto 'Democratic' Indonesia: An Analysis of the Capacity of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Adil Khan, Emeritus Professor Gillian Whitehouse
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Collaboration Dynamics in Integrated Water Resources Management
Associate Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Analysis of the institutional arrangements for the management of Australia's threatened birds
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
The 'smart' state: building a knowledge economy in Queensland since the 1990s
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Spearritt
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
The Complexities and Tensions of School Governance: A Case Study of the Governing Body of an Independent School
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Bob Lingard
Media
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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