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)

101 - 120 of 221 works

2016

Other Outputs

The UN Sustainable Development Goals for water and sanitation: how should Australia respond within and beyond its borders?

Hall, Nina , Abal, Eva, Albert, Simon , Ali, Saleem , Barrington, Dani , Dean, Angela , Head, Brian, Hill, Peter, Hussey, Karen , Jagals, Paul , Muriuki, Grace , Pascoe, Mark , Reid, Simon , Richards, Russell, Robinson, Jacqueline, Ross, Helen , Shannon, Cindy , Torero Cullen, Jose and Willis, Jon (2016). The UN Sustainable Development Goals for water and sanitation: how should Australia respond within and beyond its borders?. Global Change Institute discussion paper: water for equity and wellbeing series. 2207-9602. Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals for water and sanitation: how should Australia respond within and beyond its borders?

2016

Journal Article

Understanding Australian household water-related energy use and identifying physical and human characteristics of major end uses

Binks, Amanda N., Kenway, Steven J., Lant, Paul A. and Head, Brian W. (2016). Understanding Australian household water-related energy use and identifying physical and human characteristics of major end uses. Journal of Cleaner Production, 135, 892-906. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.06.091

Understanding Australian household water-related energy use and identifying physical and human characteristics of major end uses

2016

Other Outputs

Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals for water and beyond

Hall, N., Richards, R., Barrington, D., Ross, H., Reid, S., Head, B., Jagals, P., Dean, A., Hussey, K., Abal, E., Ali, S., Boully, L. and Willis, J. (2016). Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals for water and beyond. Global Change Institute Discussion Paper: Water for Equity and Wellbeing Series. 2207-9602. Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.

Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals for water and beyond

2016

Other Outputs

Governance structures and strategies to support innovation and adaptability

Bettini, Yvette and Brian W. Head (2016). Governance structures and strategies to support innovation and adaptability. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities.

Governance structures and strategies to support innovation and adaptability

2016

Other Outputs

WA Groundwater Replenishment Trial: a case study of creating the enabling environment for regulatory change

Bettini, Yvette and Head, Brian W. (2016). WA Groundwater Replenishment Trial: a case study of creating the enabling environment for regulatory change. Clayton, VIC, Australia: Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities.

WA Groundwater Replenishment Trial: a case study of creating the enabling environment for regulatory change

2016

Journal Article

Editors' introduction

Isett, Kimberley R., Head, Brian W. and Vanlandingham, Gary (2016). Editors' introduction. Public Administration Review, 76 (2), 221-221. doi: 10.1111/puar.12527

Editors' introduction

2016

Journal Article

Do policy makers use academic research? Reexamining the "Two Communities" theory of research utilization

Newman, Joshua, Cherney, Adrian and Head, Brian W. (2016). Do policy makers use academic research? Reexamining the "Two Communities" theory of research utilization. Public Administration Review, 76 (1), 24-32. doi: 10.1111/puar.12464

Do policy makers use academic research? Reexamining the "Two Communities" theory of research utilization

2016

Journal Article

Caveat emptor: what do we know about public administration evidence and how do we know it?

Isett, Kimberley R., Head, Brian W. and VanLandingham, Gary (2016). Caveat emptor: what do we know about public administration evidence and how do we know it?. Public Administration Review, 76 (1) 84, 20-23. doi: 10.1111/puar.12467

Caveat emptor: what do we know about public administration evidence and how do we know it?

2016

Book Chapter

Collaboration challenges in addressing natural resource management problems: Australian regional case studies

Ross, Helen, Bellamy, Jennifer and Head, Brian (2016). Collaboration challenges in addressing natural resource management problems: Australian regional case studies. The challenges of collaboration in environmental governance: barriers and responses. (pp. 175-195) edited by Richard D. Margerum and Cathy J. Robinson. Cheltenham United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Collaboration challenges in addressing natural resource management problems: Australian regional case studies

2016

Journal Article

Establishing and governing e-mental health care in Australia: A systematic review of challenges and a call for policy-focussed research

Meurk, Carla, Leung, Janni, Hall, Wayne, Head, Brian W. and Whiteford, Harvey (2016). Establishing and governing e-mental health care in Australia: A systematic review of challenges and a call for policy-focussed research. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18 (1) e10, e10. doi: 10.2196/jmir.4827

Establishing and governing e-mental health care in Australia: A systematic review of challenges and a call for policy-focussed research

2016

Journal Article

Strengths and vulnerabilities of Australian networks for conservation of threatened birds

Holmes, Tim Q., Head, Brian W., Possingham, Hugh P. and Garnett, Stephen T. (2016). Strengths and vulnerabilities of Australian networks for conservation of threatened birds. Oryx, 51 (4), 1-11. doi: 10.1017/S0030605316000454

Strengths and vulnerabilities of Australian networks for conservation of threatened birds

2015

Journal Article

An analysis of policy levers used to implement mental health reform in Australia 1992-2012

Grace, Francesca C., Meurk, Carla S., Head, Brian W., Hall, Wayne D., Carstensen, Georgia, Harris, Meredith G. and Whiteford, Harvey A. (2015). An analysis of policy levers used to implement mental health reform in Australia 1992-2012. BMC Health Services Research, 15 (479) 479, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12913-015-1142-3

An analysis of policy levers used to implement mental health reform in Australia 1992-2012

2015

Other Outputs

Assessing social contracts: Assessing the potential of ‘social contracts’ to improve Indonesian water governance and service delivery

Hearne, Declan, Head, Brian W., Powell, Bronwyn, Sutomo, Bebi, Sipahutar, Hendrick and Voysey, Fatimawati (2015). Assessing social contracts: Assessing the potential of ‘social contracts’ to improve Indonesian water governance and service delivery. Brisbane, Australia: International Water Centre.

Assessing social contracts: Assessing the potential of ‘social contracts’ to improve Indonesian water governance and service delivery

2015

Journal Article

Categories of failure in climate change mitigation policy in Australia

Newman, Joshua and Head, Brian W. (2015). Categories of failure in climate change mitigation policy in Australia. Public Policy and Administration, 30 (3-4), 342-358. doi: 10.1177/0952076714565832

Categories of failure in climate change mitigation policy in Australia

2015

Journal Article

Beyond the two communities: a reply to Mead’s “why government often ignores research”

Newman, Joshua and Head, Brian (2015). Beyond the two communities: a reply to Mead’s “why government often ignores research”. Policy Sciences, 48 (3), 383-393. doi: 10.1007/s11077-015-9226-9

Beyond the two communities: a reply to Mead’s “why government often ignores research”

2015

Journal Article

Wicked problems: implications for public policy and management

Head, Brian W. and Alford, John (2015). Wicked problems: implications for public policy and management. Administration and Society, 47 (6), 711-739. doi: 10.1177/0095399713481601

Wicked problems: implications for public policy and management

2015

Journal Article

Media and evidence-informed policy development: the case of mental health in Australia

Meurk, Carla, Whiteford, Harvey, Head, Brian, Hall, Wayne and Carah, Nicholas (2015). Media and evidence-informed policy development: the case of mental health in Australia. Contemporary Social Science, 10 (2), 160-170. doi: 10.1080/21582041.2015.1053970

Media and evidence-informed policy development: the case of mental health in Australia

2015

Journal Article

The utilisation of social science research - the perspectives of academic researchers in Australia

Cherney, Adrian, Head, Brian, Povey, Jenny, Boreham, Paul and Ferguson, Michele (2015). The utilisation of social science research - the perspectives of academic researchers in Australia. Journal of Sociology, 51 (2), 252-270. doi: 10.1177/1440783313505008

The utilisation of social science research - the perspectives of academic researchers in Australia

2015

Journal Article

Use of academic social research by public officials: exploring preferences and constraints that impact on research use

Cherney, Adrian, Head, Brian, Povey, Jenny, Ferguson, Michele and Boreham, Paul (2015). Use of academic social research by public officials: exploring preferences and constraints that impact on research use. Evidence and Policy, 11 (2), 169-188. doi: 10.1332/174426514X14138926450067

Use of academic social research by public officials: exploring preferences and constraints that impact on research use

2015

Journal Article

Relationships between Policy Academics and Public Servants: Learning at a Distance?

Head, Brian W. (2015). Relationships between Policy Academics and Public Servants: Learning at a Distance?. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 74 (1), 5-12. doi: 10.1111/1467-8500.12133

Relationships between Policy Academics and Public Servants: Learning at a Distance?

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

    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

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Yongping Wei

  • 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

    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 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

    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

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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