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)

141 - 160 of 221 works

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 Queensland Health. 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 Queensland Health. 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 Queensland Health. Institute of Social Science Research, University of Queensland. ARC Industry Partner Linkage report and fact sheet

2013

Other Outputs

How do government agencies use evidence? Report for National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm, Sweden

Head, Brian W. (2013). How do government agencies use evidence? Report for National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm, Sweden. Sweden: Socialstyrelsen: The National Board of Health and Welfare.

How do government agencies use evidence? Report for National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm, Sweden

2013

Journal Article

Children with disabilities in out-of-home care: perspectives on organisational collaborations

Ziviani, Jenny, Darlington, Yvonne, Feeney, Rachel, Meredith, Pamela and Head, Brian (2013). Children with disabilities in out-of-home care: perspectives on organisational collaborations. Children and Youth Services Review, 35 (5), 797-805. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.02.003

Children with disabilities in out-of-home care: perspectives on organisational collaborations

2013

Journal Article

Policies and programmes to end homelessness in Australia: learning from international practice

Parsell, Cameron, Jones, Andrew and Head, Brian (2013). Policies and programmes to end homelessness in Australia: learning from international practice. International Journal of Social Welfare, 22 (2), 186-194. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2397.2012.00884.x

Policies and programmes to end homelessness in Australia: learning from international practice

2013

Other Outputs

Aboriginal responses to climate change in arid zone Australia: regional understandings and capacity building for adaptation

Memmott, Paul, Reser, Joseph, Head, Brian, Davidson, James, Nash, Daphne, O'Rourke, Tim, Gamage, Harshi, Suliman, Samid, Lowry, Andrew and Marshall, Keith (2013). Aboriginal responses to climate change in arid zone Australia: regional understandings and capacity building for adaptation. Southport, QLD, Australia: National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility.

Aboriginal responses to climate change in arid zone Australia: regional understandings and capacity building for adaptation

2013

Conference Publication

Resource development as the engine of growth? The changing political symbols in Queensland economic policy since the 1970s

Salisbury, Christopher and Head, Brian (2013). Resource development as the engine of growth? The changing political symbols in Queensland economic policy since the 1970s. APSA 2013: Australian Political Studies Association Annual National Conference 2013, Perth, WA, Australia, 30 September–2 October, 2013.

Resource development as the engine of growth? The changing political symbols in Queensland economic policy since the 1970s

2013

Conference Publication

The functionality of Leximancer software as an analytic tool for semi-structured interviews data exploring evidence-based policy in practice from the perspectives of academic social scientists and policymakers.

Povey, Jenny, Shaw, Elizabeth, Head, Brian, Cherney, Adrian, Boreham, Paul and Ferguson, Michele (2013). The functionality of Leximancer software as an analytic tool for semi-structured interviews data exploring evidence-based policy in practice from the perspectives of academic social scientists and policymakers.. AMSRS Conference, Sydney, Australia, 5-6 September 2013.

The functionality of Leximancer software as an analytic tool for semi-structured interviews data exploring evidence-based policy in practice from the perspectives of academic social scientists and policymakers.

2013

Book Chapter

Evidence-based policy-making for innovation

Head, Brian W. (2013). Evidence-based policy-making for innovation. Handbook of innovation in public services. (pp. 143-156) edited by Stephen P. Osborne and Louise Brown. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar. doi: 10.4337/9781849809757

Evidence-based policy-making for innovation

2013

Journal Article

Changing patterns of privatization: ideology, economic necessity, or political opportunism

Colley, Linda Katurah and Head, Brian (2013). Changing patterns of privatization: ideology, economic necessity, or political opportunism. International Journal of Public Administration, 36 (12), 865-875. doi: 10.1080/01900692.2013.795164

Changing patterns of privatization: ideology, economic necessity, or political opportunism

2013

Journal Article

Research Utilization in the Social Sciences: A Comparison of Five Academic Disciplines in Australia

Cherney, Adrian, Head, Brian, Boreham, Paul, Povey, Jenny and Ferguson, Michele (2013). Research Utilization in the Social Sciences: A Comparison of Five Academic Disciplines in Australia. Science Communication, 35 (6), 780-809. doi: 10.1177/1075547013491398

Research Utilization in the Social Sciences: A Comparison of Five Academic Disciplines in Australia

2012

Journal Article

Perspectives of academic social scientists on knowledge transfer and research collaborations: a cross-sectional survey of Australian academics

Cherney, Adrian, Head, Brian, Boreham, Paul, Povey, Jenny and Ferguson, Michele (2012). Perspectives of academic social scientists on knowledge transfer and research collaborations: a cross-sectional survey of Australian academics. Evidence and Policy, 8 (4), 433-453. doi: 10.1332/174426412X660098

Perspectives of academic social scientists on knowledge transfer and research collaborations: a cross-sectional survey of Australian academics

2012

Journal Article

Australian politicians’ beliefs about climate change: political partisanship and political ideology

Fielding, Kelly S., Head, Brian W., Laffan, Warren, Western, Mark and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2012). Australian politicians’ beliefs about climate change: political partisanship and political ideology. Environmental Politics, 21 (5), 712-733. doi: 10.1080/09644016.2012.698887

Australian politicians’ beliefs about climate change: political partisanship and political ideology

2012

Other Outputs

Human factors in urban water system safety: humans and technology

Cloete, Steven, Horberry, Tim and Head, Brian (2012). Human factors in urban water system safety: humans and technology. Urban Water Security Research Alliance Technical Report No. 80 St Lucia, QLD, Australia: Urban Water Security Research Alliance.

Human factors in urban water system safety: humans and technology

2012

Journal Article

Determinants of young Australians' environmental actions: The role of responsibility attributions, locus of control, knowledge and attitudes

Fielding, Kelly S. and Head, Brian W. (2012). Determinants of young Australians' environmental actions: The role of responsibility attributions, locus of control, knowledge and attitudes. Environmental Education Research, 18 (2), 171-186. doi: 10.1080/13504622.2011.592936

Determinants of young Australians' environmental actions: The role of responsibility attributions, locus of control, knowledge and attitudes

2012

Journal Article

The contribution of integrity agencies to good governance

Head, Brian W. (2012). The contribution of integrity agencies to good governance. Policy Studies, 33 (1), 7-20. doi: 10.1080/01442872.2011.601200

The contribution of integrity agencies to good governance

2012

Conference Publication

Blurring boundaries and building bridges: challenges of managing across borders in the Lake Eyre Basin

Bellamy, Jennifer, Head, Brian and Ross, Helen (2012). Blurring boundaries and building bridges: challenges of managing across borders in the Lake Eyre Basin. Australian Stream Management Conference, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 6-8 February 2012. Canberra, ACT, Australia: River Basin Management Society.

Blurring boundaries and building bridges: challenges of managing across borders in the Lake Eyre Basin

2012

Journal Article

What influences the utilisation of educational research by policy-makers and practitioners? - The perspectives of academic educational researchers

Cherney, Adrian, Povey, Jenny, Head, Brian, Boreham, Paul and Ferguson, Michele (2012). What influences the utilisation of educational research by policy-makers and practitioners? - The perspectives of academic educational researchers. International Journal of Educational Research, 56, 23-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ijer.2012.08.001

What influences the utilisation of educational research by policy-makers and practitioners? - The perspectives of academic educational researchers

2012

Other Outputs

Evaluation of Evolve Behaviour Support Services: Final Report to Department of Communities (Disability and Community Care Services)

Ziviani, J., Feeney, R., Cuskelly, M., Darlington, Y., Head, B., Meredith, P. and Khan, A. (2012). Evaluation of Evolve Behaviour Support Services: Final Report to Department of Communities (Disability and Community Care Services). Brisbane, Australia:

Evaluation of Evolve Behaviour Support Services: Final Report to Department of Communities (Disability and Community Care Services)

2012

Other Outputs

The challenge of reforming federalism

Head, Brian (2012). The challenge of reforming federalism. Melbourne (Electronic): Australian and New Zealand School of Government.

The challenge of reforming federalism

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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