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)

181 - 200 of 221 works

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

2010

Journal Article

Governing sustainability [book review]

Head, Brian (2010). Governing sustainability [book review]. Australian Journal of Political Science, 45 (2), 308-309. doi: 10.1080/10361141003736208

Governing sustainability [book review]

2010

Journal Article

Environmental decision-making: exploring complexity and context [book review]

Head, Brian (2010). Environmental decision-making: exploring complexity and context [book review]. Australian Journal of Political Science, 45 (2), 302-303. doi: 10.1080/10361141003736208

Environmental decision-making: exploring complexity and context [book review]

2010

Journal Article

Reconsidering evidence-based policy: Key issues and challenges

Head, Brian (2010). Reconsidering evidence-based policy: Key issues and challenges. Policy and Society, 29 (2), 77-94. doi: 10.1016/j.polsoc.2010.03.001

Reconsidering evidence-based policy: Key issues and challenges

2010

Journal Article

Water policy: Evidence, learning and the governance of uncertainty

Head, Brian W. (2010). Water policy: Evidence, learning and the governance of uncertainty. Policy and Society, 29 (2), 171-180. doi: 10.1016/j.polsoc.2010.03.007

Water policy: Evidence, learning and the governance of uncertainty

2010

Journal Article

How can the public sector resolve complex issues?

Head, Brian W. (2010). How can the public sector resolve complex issues?. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, 2 (1), 8-16. doi: 10.1108/17574321011028954

How can the public sector resolve complex issues?

2010

Journal Article

Evidence based policy and practice: key challenges for improvement

Cherney, Adrian and Head, Brian W. (2010). Evidence based policy and practice: key challenges for improvement. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 45 (4), 509-526.

Evidence based policy and practice: key challenges for improvement

2010

Book Chapter

Evidence-based policy: Principles and requirements

Head, Brian (2010). Evidence-based policy: Principles and requirements. Strengthening evidence-based policy in the Australian Federation. (pp. 13-26) Melbourne, Australia: Productivity Commission.

Evidence-based policy: Principles and requirements

2010

Book

The Water-Energy Nexus: A Challenge for Knowledge and Policy

Head, Brian and Cammerman, Nathan (2010). The Water-Energy Nexus: A Challenge for Knowledge and Policy. Urban Water Security Research Alliance Technical Report No. 39 St Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.

The Water-Energy Nexus: A Challenge for Knowledge and Policy

2010

Book Chapter

Water politics

Spearritt, Peter and Head, Brian (2010). Water politics. A climate for growth. (pp. 88-107) edited by Brendan Gleeson and Wendy Steele. St Lucia, Qld, Australia: University of Queensland Press.

Water politics

2010

Book Chapter

From knowledge transfer to knowledge sharing? Towards better links between research, policy and practice

Head, Brian (2010). From knowledge transfer to knowledge sharing? Towards better links between research, policy and practice. Bridging the 'know-do' gap: Knowledge brokering to improve child wellbeing. (pp. 109-123) edited by Gabriele Bammer, Annette Michaux and Ann Sanson. Canberra, A.C.T., Australia: ANU E Press.

From knowledge transfer to knowledge sharing? Towards better links between research, policy and practice

2009

Journal Article

Response

Head, B. W. (2009). Response. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 6 (4), 527-528. doi: 10.1007/s11673-009-9193-y

Response

2009

Conference Publication

Delivery of early intervention services for children with physical disability : An application of program logic

Darlington, Y., Feeney, R., Head, B. and Ziviani, J. (2009). Delivery of early intervention services for children with physical disability : An application of program logic. Shared Visions Disability Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 2-3 April 2009.

Delivery of early intervention services for children with physical disability : An application of program logic

2009

Book Chapter

Adaptation to climate change: The evolution of policy and program ideas in Australia

Head, B.W. (2009). Adaptation to climate change: The evolution of policy and program ideas in Australia. Climate Change in Regional Australia: Social Learning and Adaptation. (pp. 14-29) edited by Martin, J., Rogers, M. and Winter, C.. Ballarat, Australia: VURRN Press Inc.

Adaptation to climate change: The evolution of policy and program ideas in Australia

2009

Book Chapter

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth

Head, B.W. and Stanley, F.J. (2009). The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth. Challenges in Adolescent Health: An Australian Perspective. (pp. 265-273) edited by Bennett, D., Towns, S., Elliott, E. and Merrick, J.. New York , U. S. A.: Nova Publishers.

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth

2009

Journal Article

Reconsidering regulation and governance theory: A learning approach

Wright, J.G. and Head, B.W. (2009). Reconsidering regulation and governance theory: A learning approach. Law & Policy, 31 (2), 192-216. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9930.2009.00301.x

Reconsidering regulation and governance theory: A learning approach

2009

Conference Publication

Comparing the second and third waves of regulatory reform in Australia

Carroll, P. and Head, B.W. (2009). Comparing the second and third waves of regulatory reform in Australia. Australian Political Studies Association Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 28-30 September 2009. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Macquarie University.

Comparing the second and third waves of regulatory reform in Australia

2009

Book Chapter

From Government to Governance: explaining and assessing new approaches to NRM

Head, B. W. (2009). From Government to Governance: explaining and assessing new approaches to NRM. Contested Country: Local and Regional Natural Resources Management in Australia. (pp. 15-28) edited by Lane, M. B., Robinson, C. and Taylor, B.. Melbourne Australia: CSIRO Publishing.

From Government to Governance: explaining and assessing new approaches to NRM

2008

Journal Article

Three lenses of evidence-based policy

Head, B. W. (2008). Three lenses of evidence-based policy. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 67 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8500.2007.00564.x

Three lenses of evidence-based policy

2008

Journal Article

Wicked problems in public policy

Head, Brian W. (2008). Wicked problems in public policy. Public Policy, 3 (2), 110-118.

Wicked problems in public policy

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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