Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Dr Ray Maher
Dr

Ray Maher

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 33141

Overview

Background

Dr Ray Maher is Lecturer in Design (Built Environment) at the School of Architecture, and Research Fellow at the Centre for Policy Futures at the University of Queensland. Ray collaborates broadly across institutions while leading research and capacity-building projects with government and industry. His work focuses on sustainable development strategy, urban development and design, Sustainable Development Goals, decision-support tools, circular economy, and addressing ‘wicked’ problems using systems, design, and futures thinking. Ray’s research is engagement-focused, interdisciplinary, and applied, which builds the capacity of stakeholders.

Ray is Lead Chief Investigator on research funding totalling over $1m, and a Chief Investigator on research funding totalling over $5m. He has 31 traditional and non-traditional research outputs with state, national, and regional impact.

Availability

Dr Ray Maher is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Design Studies, The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Coursework) of Architecture, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research impacts

Ray’s interdisciplinary research applies systems and design approaches to support high-impact outcomes through partnerships with Government, Industry, and Non-government Organisations. Research impacts and partnerships include leadership, authorship, or substantial contributions to:

• Leading a 15-person interdisciplinary team to develop the Sustainability Framework for a ~$3 Billion, 360HA development in Manila, Philippines for 350,000 people.

• Research informing The University of Queensland’s Pacific Engagement Strategy.

• Facilitating the Queensland Health Prevention Thinktank to inform the organisation’s 10-year reform strategy.

• Research lead on Making Prevention a Health System Priority project to embed preventative health throughout Queensland Health and its 100,000 workforce.

• Leading the Systems and Design thinking module for the Internet Society’s mid-career fellowship.

• Lead CI of Circular Economy for Disaster Reconstruction, Development Minerals Program, in collaboration with the Pacific Community, The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and two Fiji Government Ministries.

• Working with the Pacific Community (SPC) to co-develop their Transition Plan 2021, a COVID response strategic Plan.

• Contributing to the Pacific Community's (SPC)10-year Strategic Plan 2021+.

• Foresight research which informed the 2050 Regional Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, a long-term regional strategy by the Pacific Island Forum’s 18 Member nations.

• Lead authoring An Adaptation Plan for the Energy, Mining, and Manufacturing Sectors – part of the Queensland Government’s Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy (Q‐CAS).

• Co-leading the foundational project on climate change to inform the strategy and research priorities of the $130M CRC for Transformations in Mining Economies (TiME).

• Designing the Circular Economy 4 Business pilot program for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland’s ecoBiz program.

• The Integrated Bioeconomy Project and the Controlled Biosphere ARC Linkage project to inform policy and regulatory settings for sustainable food production.

• Contributing to the policy and regulation component of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Programme (RRAP).

• Authoring the Australian National Rail Station Design Guidelines, endorsed by all State Rail operators.

Works

Search Professor Ray Maher’s works on UQ eSpace

34 works between 2009 and 2023

1 - 20 of 34 works

2023

Other Outputs

Building disaster and climate resilience through Development Minerals

Rogers, Paul, Maher, Ray, Lee, Gary, Naidelage, Chamari, Flomenhoft, Gary, Junior, Patrick and Franks, Daniel M (2023). Building disaster and climate resilience through Development Minerals. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/9052c85

Building disaster and climate resilience through Development Minerals

2023

Journal Article

Circular economy 4 business: a program and framework for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with three case studies

Maher, Ray, Yarnold, Jennifer and Pushpamali, N. N. C. (2023). Circular economy 4 business: a program and framework for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with three case studies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 412 137114, 137114. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137114

Circular economy 4 business: a program and framework for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with three case studies

2023

Book

SM Bay City - Sustainability Framework: pathways for achieving sustainability outcomes in Manila Bay

Maher, Ray, Ahmad, Mubeen, Fidelman, Pedro, Franks, Daniel, Fuller, Richard, Hyland, Peter, Junior, Patrick, Kenway, Steven, Ly, Leo, Molyneaux, Lynette, Sharma, Rahul, Sipe, Neil, Sochacka, Beata, Sockhill, Nicola and Webster-Mannison, Marci (2023). SM Bay City - Sustainability Framework: pathways for achieving sustainability outcomes in Manila Bay. Manila, The Phillipines: SM Prime.

SM Bay City - Sustainability Framework: pathways for achieving sustainability outcomes in Manila Bay

2022

Other Outputs

Systems & design thinking: online module as part of the Internet Society’s Mid-Career Fellowship

Maher, Ray, Fish, Allison and Yarnold, Jennifer (2022). Systems & design thinking: online module as part of the Internet Society’s Mid-Career Fellowship. Geneva, Switzerland: The Internet Society.

Systems & design thinking: online module as part of the Internet Society’s Mid-Career Fellowship

2022

Journal Article

MetaMAP: a graphical tool for designing initiatives to support multiple sustainability goals

Maher, Ray, Mann, Samuel and McAlpine, Clive A. (2022). MetaMAP: a graphical tool for designing initiatives to support multiple sustainability goals. Sustainability Science, 17 (4), 1511-1536. doi: 10.1007/s11625-022-01157-4

MetaMAP: a graphical tool for designing initiatives to support multiple sustainability goals

2022

Other Outputs

Prevention as a health system priority: Actions for Change

Mitchell, Jo, Anna Chevalier, Ray Maher, Elly Howse, Penny Hawe, Melanie Pescud, Andrew Wilson and Lucie Rychetnik (2022). Prevention as a health system priority: Actions for Change. Queensland: The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre and Queensland Health.

Prevention as a health system priority: Actions for Change

2022

Other Outputs

Prevention as a health system priority - Engagement and system analysis with Queensland Health (Interim report)

Mitchell J, Anna Chevalier, Ray Maher, Elly Howse, Penny Hawe, Melanie Pescud, Andrew Wilson and Lucie Rychetnik (2022). Prevention as a health system priority - Engagement and system analysis with Queensland Health (Interim report) . Queensland: The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre and Queensland Health.

Prevention as a health system priority - Engagement and system analysis with Queensland Health (Interim report)

2022

Other Outputs

Circular Economy 4 Business (CE4B) pilot program: Final Report

Ray Maher, Jennifer Yarnold and Chamari Pushpamali Narayana Naidelage (2022). Circular Economy 4 Business (CE4B) pilot program: Final Report. Brisbane: Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.

Circular Economy 4 Business (CE4B) pilot program: Final Report

2022

Book Chapter

Uncertainty: risk, technology and the future

Yarnold, Jennifer, Maher, Ray, Hussey, Karen and Dovers, Stephen (2022). Uncertainty: risk, technology and the future. Routledge handbook of global environmental politics. (pp. 253-268) edited by Paul G. Harris. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003008873-23

Uncertainty: risk, technology and the future

2021

Other Outputs

CCIQ ecoBiz Circular Economy Program: Building Skills Tools and Knowledge for Circular Leadership. Phase 2 – Program Design

Ray Maher and Jennifer Yarnold (2021). CCIQ ecoBiz Circular Economy Program: Building Skills Tools and Knowledge for Circular Leadership. Phase 2 – Program Design. Brisbane: Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.

CCIQ ecoBiz Circular Economy Program: Building Skills Tools and Knowledge for Circular Leadership. Phase 2 – Program Design

2021

Other Outputs

Mining transitions and climate change: a research synthesis to inform CRC TiME strategy

Maher, R., Buchan, R., Littleboy, A., MacLean, K., Molyneaux, L., Stringer, M. and Valenta, R. (2021). Mining transitions and climate change: a research synthesis to inform CRC TiME strategy. Perth, WA, Australia: CRC TiME.

Mining transitions and climate change: a research synthesis to inform CRC TiME strategy

2021

Other Outputs

The future of sustainability solutions

Franco, Isabel B., Fidelman, Pedro, Maher, Ray, Ritchie, Brent, Yarnold, Jennifer, Derbyshire, Ellen, Foster, Rose and Ulhmann, Kora (2021). The future of sustainability solutions. Conversation Series Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

The future of sustainability solutions

2021

Other Outputs

MetaMAP: A graphical tool for designing sustainability initiatives integrating design, systems, and sustainability science

Maher, Ray (2021). MetaMAP: A graphical tool for designing sustainability initiatives integrating design, systems, and sustainability science. PhD Thesis, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/a2a5999

MetaMAP: A graphical tool for designing sustainability initiatives integrating design, systems, and sustainability science

2021

Other Outputs

Pacific Community Transition Plan 2021 - foundations for a resilient future: response to recovery

Sharp, Emily, Mecartney, Sarah and Maher, Ray (2021). Pacific Community Transition Plan 2021 - foundations for a resilient future: response to recovery. Noumea, New Caledonia: Pacific Community.

Pacific Community Transition Plan 2021 - foundations for a resilient future: response to recovery

2020

Other Outputs

Submission to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Cyber and Critical Technology Engagement Strategy

Nabbs-Keller, Greta, Ko, Ryan, Axelsen, Michael, Bongiovanni, Ivano, Dowsett, Dallas, Liivoja, Rain, Maher, Ray, Massingham, Eve, McEwan, Chris, McKenzie, Simon, O’Quinn, Richard, Radke, Amelia and Williams, John (2020). Submission to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Cyber and Critical Technology Engagement Strategy. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Submission to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Cyber and Critical Technology Engagement Strategy

2019

Other Outputs

CCIQ EcoBiz Circular Economy Program: Phase 1 – Review of Existing Programs

Jennifer Yarnold and Ray Maher (2019). CCIQ EcoBiz Circular Economy Program: Phase 1 – Review of Existing Programs. Brisbane: Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.

CCIQ EcoBiz Circular Economy Program: Phase 1 – Review of Existing Programs

2019

Other Outputs

An Adaptation Plan for the Energy, Mining and Manufacturing sectors and supporting entities

Maher, Ray and Hussey, Karen (2019). An Adaptation Plan for the Energy, Mining and Manufacturing sectors and supporting entities. Brisbane,Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/9e95ac7

An Adaptation Plan for the Energy, Mining and Manufacturing sectors and supporting entities

2019

Other Outputs

Policy futures: regulating the new economy

Hussey, Karen, Yarnold, Jennifer, McEwan, Christopher, Maher, Ray, Henman, Paul, Radke, Amelia, Curtis, Caitlin, Fidelman, Pedro, Vickers, Claudia and Brolan, Claire (2019). Policy futures: regulating the new economy. Policy Futures Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Policy futures: regulating the new economy

2019

Journal Article

Correction to: Integrating design thinking with sustainability science: a Research through Design approach (Sustainability Science, (2018), 13, 6, (1565-1587), 10.1007/s11625-018-0618-6)

Maher, Ray, Maher, Melanie, Mann, Samuel and McAlpine, Clive A. (2019). Correction to: Integrating design thinking with sustainability science: a Research through Design approach (Sustainability Science, (2018), 13, 6, (1565-1587), 10.1007/s11625-018-0618-6). Sustainability Science, 14 (2), 551-553. doi: 10.1007/s11625-018-0629-3

Correction to: Integrating design thinking with sustainability science: a Research through Design approach (Sustainability Science, (2018), 13, 6, (1565-1587), 10.1007/s11625-018-0618-6)

2018

Journal Article

Urban tinkering

Elmqvist, Thomas, Siri, José, Andersson, Erik, Anderson, Pippin, Bai, Xuemei, Das, Pranab Kishore, Gatere, Tatu, Gonzalez, Andrew, Goodness, Julie, Handel, Steven N., Hermansson Török, Ellika, Kavonic, Jessica, Kronenberg, Jakub, Lindgren, Elisabet, Maddox, David, Maher, Raymond, Mbow, Cheikh, McPhearson, Timon, Mulligan, Joe, Nordenson, Guy, Spires, Meggan, Stenkula, Ulrika, Takeuchi, Kazuhiko and Vogel, Coleen (2018). Urban tinkering. Sustainability Science, 13 (6), 1549-1564. doi: 10.1007/s11625-018-0611-0

Urban tinkering

Funding

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

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Pasay 360 Sustainability Framework
    SM Smart City Infrastructure and Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Making prevention a health system priority - systems analysis project
    Sax Institute
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Transitions and Climate Change
    CRC TIME Limited
    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
    CCIQ EcoBiz Circular Economy Pilot Study
    Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Supporting the development of the Pacific Community's Strategic Plan 2021+ through capacity building in Futures Thinking and Visioning
    Secretariat of the Pacific Community
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    CCIQ EcoBiz Circular Economy Program
    Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland
    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 - 2019
    Supply of Services to develop and deliver the Industry and Resource Sector Adaptation Plan
    Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Ray Maher is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Ray Maher's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au