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)

121 - 140 of 221 works

2015

Book Chapter

Policy analysis: evidence based policy-making

Head, Brian W. (2015). Policy analysis: evidence based policy-making. International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. (pp. 281-287) edited by James D. Wright. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.75030-6

Policy analysis: evidence based policy-making

2015

Book Chapter

Policy analysis and public sector capacity

Head, Brian (2015). Policy analysis and public sector capacity. Policy Analysis in Australia. (pp. 53-67) edited by Brian Head and Kate Crowley. Bristol, United Kingdom: Policy Press.

Policy analysis and public sector capacity

2015

Journal Article

Urban water governance in times of multiple stressors: an editorial

Olsson, Lennart and Head, Brian W. (2015). Urban water governance in times of multiple stressors: an editorial. Ecology and Society, 20 (1) 27. doi: 10.5751/ES-07300-200127

Urban water governance in times of multiple stressors: an editorial

2015

Book Chapter

Academic Research and Public Policy

Head, Brian W. and Walter, James (2015). Academic Research and Public Policy. Policy Analysis in Australia. (pp. 283-301) edited by Brian W. Head and Kate Crowley. Bristol, United Kingdom: Policy Press.

Academic Research and Public Policy

2015

Book Chapter

Policy analysis in Australia: context, themes and challenges

Crowley, Kate and Head, Brian (2015). Policy analysis in Australia: context, themes and challenges. Policy Analysis in Australia. (pp. 1-20) edited by Brian Head and Kate Crowley. Bristol, United Kingdom: Policy Press.

Policy analysis in Australia: context, themes and challenges

2015

Book Chapter

Australia: building policy capacity for managing wicked policy problems

Head, Brian W. and O'Flynn, Janine (2015). Australia: building policy capacity for managing wicked policy problems. The international handbook of public administration and governance. (pp. 341-368) edited by Andrew Massey and Karen Johnston. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing. doi: 10.4337/9781781954492.00022

Australia: building policy capacity for managing wicked policy problems

2014

Other Outputs

‘Next Practice’ governance for water sensitive cities: better governance for complex decision making

Bettini, Yvette and Head, Brian W. (2014). ‘Next Practice’ governance for water sensitive cities: better governance for complex decision making. Clayton, VIC, Austrlia: Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities.

‘Next Practice’ governance for water sensitive cities: better governance for complex decision making

2014

Journal Article

Prioritising indicators of cumulative socio-economic impacts to characterise rapid development of onshore gas resources

Uhlmann, Vikki, Rifkin, Will, Everingham, Jo-Anne, Head, Brian and May, Kylie (2014). Prioritising indicators of cumulative socio-economic impacts to characterise rapid development of onshore gas resources. The Extractive Industries and Society, 1 (2), 189-199. doi: 10.1016/j.exis.2014.06.001

Prioritising indicators of cumulative socio-economic impacts to characterise rapid development of onshore gas resources

2014

Journal Article

Evidence, uncertainty and wicked problems in climate change decision-making in Australia

Head, Brian W. (2014). Evidence, uncertainty and wicked problems in climate change decision-making in Australia. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 32 (4), 663-679. doi: 10.1068/c1240

Evidence, uncertainty and wicked problems in climate change decision-making in Australia

2014

Journal Article

Are policy-makers interested in social research? Exploring the sources and uses of valued information among public servants in Australia

Head, Brian, Ferguson, Michele, Cherney, Adrian and Boreham, Paul (2014). Are policy-makers interested in social research? Exploring the sources and uses of valued information among public servants in Australia. Policy and Society, 33 (2), 89-101. doi: 10.1016/j.polsoc.2014.04.004

Are policy-makers interested in social research? Exploring the sources and uses of valued information among public servants in Australia

2014

Journal Article

Managing urban water crises: adaptive policy responses to drought and flood in Southeast Queensland, Australia

Head, Brian W. (2014). Managing urban water crises: adaptive policy responses to drought and flood in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Ecology and Society, 19 (2) 33, 33.1-33.14. doi: 10.5751/ES-06414-190233

Managing urban water crises: adaptive policy responses to drought and flood in Southeast Queensland, Australia

2014

Journal Article

Understanding and managing water-related energy use in Australian households: preliminary results of a research project being carried out by The University of Queensland and the Smart Water Fund

Kenway, S., Binks, A., Bors, J., Pamminger, F., Lant, P., Head, B., Taimre, T., Grace, A., Fawcett, J., Johnson, S., Yeung, J., Scheidegger, R. and Bader, H.-P. (2014). Understanding and managing water-related energy use in Australian households: preliminary results of a research project being carried out by The University of Queensland and the Smart Water Fund. Water, 41 (2), 184-188.

Understanding and managing water-related energy use in Australian households: preliminary results of a research project being carried out by The University of Queensland and the Smart Water Fund

2014

Journal Article

Public administration and the promise of evidence-based policy: experience in and beyond Australia

Head, Brian W. (2014). Public administration and the promise of evidence-based policy: experience in and beyond Australia. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, 36 (1), 48-59. doi: 10.1080/23276665.2014.892273

Public administration and the promise of evidence-based policy: experience in and beyond Australia

2014

Book Chapter

Research and its policy relevance

Head, Brian W. (2014). Research and its policy relevance. Handbook of research methods and applications in spatially integrated social science. (pp. 603-616) edited by Robert Stimson. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar. doi: 10.4337/9780857932976.00037

Research and its policy relevance

2014

Journal Article

Privatisation and new public management: Asset sales and Commissions of Audit in Queensland, 1990–2013

Colley, Linda Katurah and Head, Brian W. (2014). Privatisation and new public management: Asset sales and Commissions of Audit in Queensland, 1990–2013. Australian Journal of Political Science, 49 (3), 391-407. doi: 10.1080/10361146.2014.931342

Privatisation and new public management: Asset sales and Commissions of Audit in Queensland, 1990–2013

2014

Book Chapter

The collaboration solution? Factors for collaborative success

Head, Brian W. (2014). The collaboration solution? Factors for collaborative success. Crossing Boundaries in Public Management and Policy: The international experience. (pp. 142-157) edited by Janine O'Flynn, Deborah Blackman and John Halligan. Abingdon, Oxon, U.K.: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780203106907

The collaboration solution? Factors for collaborative success

2013

Journal Article

Urban water system safety: a human factors investigation

Cloete, Steve, Horberry,Tim and Head, Brian (2013). Urban water system safety: a human factors investigation. Water, 40 (8), 56-61.

Urban water system safety: a human factors investigation

2013

Other Outputs

Specifying the urban water governance challenge. Project A3.1 Milestone Report. Cooperative research centre for water sensitive cities

Bettini, Yvette and Head, Brian W. (2013). Specifying the urban water governance challenge. Project A3.1 Milestone Report. Cooperative research centre for water sensitive cities. Clayton, VIC, Australia: Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities.

Specifying the urban water governance challenge. Project A3.1 Milestone Report. Cooperative research centre for water sensitive cities

2013

Journal Article

Evidence-based policymaking - speaking truth to power?

Head, Brian W. (2013). Evidence-based policymaking - speaking truth to power?. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 72 (4), 397-403. doi: 10.1111/1467-8500.12037

Evidence-based policymaking - speaking truth to power?

2013

Other Outputs

Public Sector Survey on Evidence Based Policy: Results For The Department Of Employment, Economic Development And Innovation. Institute of Social Science Research, University of Queensland. ARC Industry Partner Linkage report and fact sheet.

Head, Brian, Boreham, Paul, Cherney, Adrian, Povey, Jenny and Ferguson, Michele (2013). Public Sector Survey on Evidence Based Policy: Results For The Department Of Employment, Economic Development And Innovation. Institute of Social Science Research, University of Queensland. ARC Industry Partner Linkage report and fact sheet.. St Lucia QLD Australia: Institute of Social Science Research, University of Queensland.

Public Sector Survey on Evidence Based Policy: Results For The Department Of Employment, Economic Development And Innovation. Institute of Social Science Research, University of Queensland. ARC Industry Partner Linkage report and fact sheet.

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

    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

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Yongping Wei

  • 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

  • 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

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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