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)

161 - 180 of 221 works

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)

2011

Journal Article

Supporting the knowledge to action process: a systems-thinking approach

Cherney, Adrian and Head, Brian (2011). Supporting the knowledge to action process: a systems-thinking approach. Evidence and Policy, 7 (4), 471-488. doi: 10.1332/174426411X603461

Supporting the knowledge to action process: a systems-thinking approach

2011

Other Outputs

Integrated responses to homelessness in Australia: an analysis of ‘joined up’ policy and practice

Phillips, Rhonda, Head, Brian and Jones, Andrew (2011). Integrated responses to homelessness in Australia: an analysis of ‘joined up’ policy and practice. St Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.

Integrated responses to homelessness in Australia: an analysis of ‘joined up’ policy and practice

2011

Journal Article

Governance for sustainable regions: Can government meet the innovation policy challenge?

Head, Brian W. (2011). Governance for sustainable regions: Can government meet the innovation policy challenge?. Regional Science Policy and Practice, 3 (3), 219-230. doi: 10.1111/j.1757-7802.2011.01038.x

Governance for sustainable regions: Can government meet the innovation policy challenge?

2011

Journal Article

Making prevention work in human services for children and youth

Head, Brian W. and Redmond, Gerry (2011). Making prevention work in human services for children and youth. Australian Review of Public Affairs, 10 (1), 5-22.

Making prevention work in human services for children and youth

2011

Journal Article

Guest editors’ introduction: Special issue on evidence-based prevention

Sanson, Ann V., Head, Brian W. and Redmond, Gerry (2011). Guest editors’ introduction: Special issue on evidence-based prevention. Australian Review of Public Affairs, 10 (1), 1-4.

Guest editors’ introduction: Special issue on evidence-based prevention

2011

Book

Water recycling: Recent history of local government initiatives in South East Queensland

Uhlmann, Vikki and Head, Brian W. (2011). Water recycling: Recent history of local government initiatives in South East Queensland. Urban Water Security Research Alliance Technical Report Number 45 City East, Brisbane, Qld, Australia: Urban Water Security Research Alliance.

Water recycling: Recent history of local government initiatives in South East Queensland

2011

Book

Human factors in urban water system safety: stage 1 - initial findings

Cloete, Steven, Horberry, Tim and Head, Brian (2011). Human factors in urban water system safety: stage 1 - initial findings. Urban Water Security Research Alliance Technical Report No. 46 St Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Human factors in urban water system safety: stage 1 - initial findings

2011

Journal Article

Australian experience: Civic engagement as symbol and substance

Head, Brian W. (2011). Australian experience: Civic engagement as symbol and substance. Public Administration and Development, 31 (2), 102-112. doi: 10.1002/pad.599

Australian experience: Civic engagement as symbol and substance

2011

Journal Article

Why not ask them? Mapping and promoting youth participation

Head, Brian W. (2011). Why not ask them? Mapping and promoting youth participation. Children and Youth Services Review, 33 (4), 541-547. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.05.015

Why not ask them? Mapping and promoting youth participation

2011

Journal Article

From policy to practice: A program logic approach to describing the implementation of early intervention services for children with physical disability

Ziviani, Jenny, Darlington, Yvonne, Feeney, Rachel and Head, Brian (2011). From policy to practice: A program logic approach to describing the implementation of early intervention services for children with physical disability. Evaluation And Program Planning, 34 (1), 60-68. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2010.05.001

From policy to practice: A program logic approach to describing the implementation of early intervention services for children with physical disability

2011

Conference Publication

Asset sales: from financial necessity to policy opportunism?

Head, Brian and Colley, Linda (2011). Asset sales: from financial necessity to policy opportunism?. Australian Political Science Association Conference (APSA) 2011, Canberra, Australia, 26-28 September 2011. Canberra, Australia: Australian National University, School of Politics and​ International Relations.

Asset sales: from financial necessity to policy opportunism?

2011

Conference Publication

Policy advice and research evidence: is academic research 'lost in translation'?

Head, B., Cherney, A. and Boreham, P. (2011). Policy advice and research evidence: is academic research 'lost in translation'?. Australian Political Science Association Conference (APSA) 2011, Canberra, Australia, 26-28 September 2011.

Policy advice and research evidence: is academic research 'lost in translation'?

2011

Book Chapter

Urban water institutional arrangements

Head, Brian (2011). Urban water institutional arrangements. Securing Australia’s Water Future. (pp. 63-65) edited by Bob Swinton and Chris Davis. North Sydney, N.S.W., Australia: Focus Publishing.

Urban water institutional arrangements

2011

Other Outputs

Primary research on early intervention services for children with a physical disability: Final Report to Department of Communities (Disability and Community Care Services)

Ziviani, J., Feeney, R., Rodger, S., Watter, P., Brown, R., Head, B., Cuskelly, M. and Darlington, Y. (2011). Primary research on early intervention services for children with a physical disability: Final Report to Department of Communities (Disability and Community Care Services). Brisbane, Australia: Department of Communities (Disability and Community Care Services).

Primary research on early intervention services for children with a physical disability: Final Report to Department of Communities (Disability and Community Care Services)

2011

Conference Publication

Urban drought, infrastructure crisis, and governance centralisation in Sydney, Melbourne and SE Queensland

Searle, Glen and Head, Brian (2011). Urban drought, infrastructure crisis, and governance centralisation in Sydney, Melbourne and SE Queensland. State of Australian Cities National Conference 2011, Melbourne, Australia, 29 November-2 December 2011. Melbourne, Australia: Australian Sustainable Cities and Regions Network (ASCRN).

Urban drought, infrastructure crisis, and governance centralisation in Sydney, Melbourne and SE Queensland

2011

Conference Publication

Perspectives of academic social scientists on the benefits and impact of knowledge co-production: Australian findings

Cherney, A., Head, B. and Boreham, P. (2011). Perspectives of academic social scientists on the benefits and impact of knowledge co-production: Australian findings. Australian Social Policy Conference, University of NSW, 2011.

Perspectives of academic social scientists on the benefits and impact of knowledge co-production: Australian findings

2010

Book

Wicked Problems in Water Governance: Paradigm Changes to Promote Water Sustainability and Address Planning Uncertainty

Head, Brian (2010). Wicked Problems in Water Governance: Paradigm Changes to Promote Water Sustainability and Address Planning Uncertainty. Urban Water Security Research Alliance Technical Report No. 38 St Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Wicked Problems in Water Governance: Paradigm Changes to Promote Water Sustainability and Address Planning Uncertainty

2010

Journal Article

Service integration : The Holy Grail for human services

Phillips, Rhonda, Jones, Andrew and Head, Brian (2010). Service integration : The Holy Grail for human services. Parity, 23 (8), 16-17.

Service integration : The Holy Grail for human services

2010

Journal Article

Public management research: Towards relevance

Head, Brian William (2010). Public management research: Towards relevance. Public Management Review, 12 (5), 571-585. doi: 10.1080/14719031003633987

Public management research: Towards relevance

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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