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)

81 - 100 of 221 works

2017

Other Outputs

Australian urban water reform story: with detailed case study on New South Wales

Salisbury, Chris, Head, Brian W. and Groom, Eric (2017). Australian urban water reform story: with detailed case study on New South Wales. Water Global Practice. W17011. School of Political Science and International Studies, The World Bank.

Australian urban water reform story: with detailed case study on New South Wales

2017

Journal Article

Problem definition and the policy process: wicked problems

Head, Brian W. (2017). Problem definition and the policy process: wicked problems. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. doi: 10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.213

Problem definition and the policy process: wicked problems

2017

Journal Article

An analysis of policy success and failure in formal evaluations of Australia's national mental health strategy (1992-2012)

Grace, Francesca C., Meurk, Carla S., Head, Brian W., Hall, Wayne D., Harris, Meredith G. and Whiteford, Harvey A. (2017). An analysis of policy success and failure in formal evaluations of Australia's national mental health strategy (1992-2012). BMC Health Services Research, 17 (1) 374, 374. doi: 10.1186/s12913-017-2309-x

An analysis of policy success and failure in formal evaluations of Australia's national mental health strategy (1992-2012)

2017

Journal Article

Crises and institutional change: emergence of cross-border water governance in Lake Eyre Basin, Australia

Bellamy, Jennifer, Head, Brian W. and Ross, Helen (2017). Crises and institutional change: emergence of cross-border water governance in Lake Eyre Basin, Australia. Society and Natural Resources, 30 (4), 404-420. doi: 10.1080/08941920.2016.1272729

Crises and institutional change: emergence of cross-border water governance in Lake Eyre Basin, Australia

2017

Journal Article

Climate change sceptical frames: the case of seven Australian sceptics

Van Rensburg, Willem and Head, Brian W. (2017). Climate change sceptical frames: the case of seven Australian sceptics. Australian Journal of Politics and History, 63 (1), 112-128. doi: 10.1111/ajph.12318

Climate change sceptical frames: the case of seven Australian sceptics

2017

Journal Article

Policy capacity and evidence-based policy in the public service

Newman, Joshua, Cherney, Adrian and Head, Brian W. (2017). Policy capacity and evidence-based policy in the public service. Public Management Review, 19 (2), 157-174. doi: 10.1080/14719037.2016.1148191

Policy capacity and evidence-based policy in the public service

2017

Book Chapter

Understanding the policy realities of urban transitions

Bettini, Yvette, Arklay, Tracey and Head, Brian W. (2017). Understanding the policy realities of urban transitions. Urban sustainability transitions. (pp. 37-49) edited by Niki Frantzeskaki, Vanesa Castán Broto, Lars Coenen and Derk Loorbach. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315228389

Understanding the policy realities of urban transitions

2017

Book Chapter

Expert advisory bodies in the policy system

Crowley, Kate and Head, Brian W. (2017). Expert advisory bodies in the policy system. Routledge handbook of comparative policy analysis. (pp. 181-198) edited by Marleen Brans, Iris Geva-May and Michael Howlett. New York, NY, United States: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315660561-12

Expert advisory bodies in the policy system

2017

Journal Article

Wicked and less wicked problems: a typology and a contingency framework

Alford, John and Head, Brian W. (2017). Wicked and less wicked problems: a typology and a contingency framework. Policy and Society, 36 (3), 397-413. doi: 10.1080/14494035.2017.1361634

Wicked and less wicked problems: a typology and a contingency framework

2017

Conference Publication

Evaluating the success and failure of national policy reform: an analysis of formal evaluations of Australia’s National Mental Health strategy (1992-2012)

Meurk, C., Grace, F., Head, B., Hall, W., Harris, M. and Whiteford, H. (2017). Evaluating the success and failure of national policy reform: an analysis of formal evaluations of Australia’s National Mental Health strategy (1992-2012). Australasian Evaluation Society, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 5-7 September 2017.

Evaluating the success and failure of national policy reform: an analysis of formal evaluations of Australia’s National Mental Health strategy (1992-2012)

2017

Journal Article

Wicked tendencies in policy problems: rethinking the distinction between social and technical problems

Newman, Joshua and Head, Brian W. (2017). Wicked tendencies in policy problems: rethinking the distinction between social and technical problems. Policy and Society, 36 (3), 414-429. doi: 10.1080/14494035.2017.1361635

Wicked tendencies in policy problems: rethinking the distinction between social and technical problems

2017

Journal Article

The national context of wicked problems: comparing policies on gun violence in the US, Canada, and Australia

Newman, Joshua and Head, Brian (2017). The national context of wicked problems: comparing policies on gun violence in the US, Canada, and Australia. Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis, 19 (1), 40-53. doi: 10.1080/13876988.2015.1029334

The national context of wicked problems: comparing policies on gun violence in the US, Canada, and Australia

2017

Book Chapter

Policy-relevant research: improving the value and impact of the social sciences

Head, Brian W. (2017). Policy-relevant research: improving the value and impact of the social sciences. Social science and sustainability. (pp. 199-209) edited by Heinz Schandl and Iain Walker. Melbourne, Australia: CSIRO Publishing.

Policy-relevant research: improving the value and impact of the social sciences

2017

Journal Article

Editors' Introduction

Isett, Kimberley R., Head, Brian W. and Van Landingham, Gary (2017). Editors' Introduction. Public Administration Review, 77 (1), 12-12. doi: 10.1111/puar.12636

Editors' Introduction

2016

Other Outputs

Toward effective change in urban water policy: the role of collaborative governance and cross-scale integration. Project A3.1, Final Milestone Report

Van de Meene, Susan, Head, Brian W. and Bettini, Yvette (2016). Toward effective change in urban water policy: the role of collaborative governance and cross-scale integration. Project A3.1, Final Milestone Report. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities.

Toward effective change in urban water policy: the role of collaborative governance and cross-scale integration. Project A3.1, Final Milestone Report

2016

Journal Article

How did youth mental health make it onto Australia’s 2011 federal policy agenda?

Whiteford, Harvey A. , Meurk, Carla, Carstensen, Georgia, Hall, Wayne, Hill, Peter and Head, Brian W. (2016). How did youth mental health make it onto Australia’s 2011 federal policy agenda?. Sage Open, 6 (4), 215824401668085. doi: 10.1177/2158244016680855

How did youth mental health make it onto Australia’s 2011 federal policy agenda?

2016

Other Outputs

Strengthening community participation in meeting UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 for water, sanitation and hygiene

Hall, N., Acosta Jaramillo, C. M., Jagals, P., Currie, D., Ossa-Moreno, J., Dean, A., Ross, H., Bowling, T., Hill, P., Head, B., Richards, R., Willis, J., Abal, E. and Cruz Lopez, D. (2016). Strengthening community participation in meeting UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 for water, sanitation and hygiene. Global Change Institute Discussion Paper: Water for Equity and Wellbeing Series. 2207-9602. Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.

Strengthening community participation in meeting UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 for water, sanitation and hygiene

2016

Journal Article

Managing wicked natural resource problems: the collaborative challenge at regional scales in Australia

Head, Brian W., Ross, Helen and Bellamy, Jennifer (2016). Managing wicked natural resource problems: the collaborative challenge at regional scales in Australia. Landscape and Urban Planning, 154, 81-92. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.03.019

Managing wicked natural resource problems: the collaborative challenge at regional scales in Australia

2016

Journal Article

Why is an APT approach to wicked problems important?

Head, Brian W. and Xiang, Wei-Ning (2016). Why is an APT approach to wicked problems important?. Landscape and Urban Planning, 154, 4-7. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.03.018

Why is an APT approach to wicked problems important?

2016

Journal Article

Working with wicked problems in socio-ecological systems: more awareness, greater acceptance, and better adaptation

Head, Brian W. and Xiang, Wei-Ning (2016). Working with wicked problems in socio-ecological systems: more awareness, greater acceptance, and better adaptation. Landscape and Urban Planning, 154, 1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.07.011

Working with wicked problems in socio-ecological systems: more awareness, greater acceptance, and better adaptation

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

    Understanding the evolution of catchment water balance 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

    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

    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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The lessons from international development for indigenous affairs

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tim Reddel

  • 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

    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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