Overview
Background
Mark Western is Research Director, The Queensland Commitment, UQ, and Professor of Sociology in the Centre for Policy Futures in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and the Queensland Academy of the Arts and Sciences. From 2009 to March 2022 he was Founding Director of the Institute for Social Science Research, UQ's university research institute for the social sciences. He has previously worked at the Australian National University and the University of Tasmania, and held visiting appointments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Manchester, and the Institute of Education, London.
Mark is an International Fellow of the Centre for the Study of Poverty and Inequality at Stanford University, and a former Chief Investigator on the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families Over the Life course and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security.
He has been a member of the Boards of the Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research at the University of Manchester, the Leeds Social Sciences Institute, and the Stretton Institute at the University of Adelaide. In recent years Mark Western's external appointments include:
- 2023-2024 Member, National Research Infrastructure Advisory Group, providing long term and strategic advice to the Federal Government on National Research Infrastructure
- 2023- Chair, Group of Eight Equity Working Group, advising the Group of Eight on student equity in higher education.
- 2022- Member, Steering Committee, Academy of Social Sciences in Australia Research Infrastructure Decadal Plan
- 2021-2022 Chair, Expert Working Group reviewing the ERA Rating Scale and Benchmarking for the ARC
- 2020-2021 Chair, Steering Committee for the State of the Social Sciences Report 2021 for the Academy of Social Sciences
- 2019 Member, Advisory Group to the Academy of Humanities Project, Mapping International Research Infrastructures for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
- 2014-2015 Deputy Chair, Review of the Australian Research Training System, Australian Council of Learned Academies.
Mark has also served as Chair and Deputy Chair of ARC ERA and Engagement and Impact Evaluation Committees, and on the ARC College of Experts and various ARC Selection Advisory Committees for other ARC Research Funding schemes.
He has edited and authored 7 books, and over 100 book chapters, journal articles and commissioned reports and held research grants and contracts worth approximately $120 million.
Availability
- Professor Mark Western is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
Research interests
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Social and economic inequality
How do we expand educational opportunities through school, VET and higher education for students experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage? Why do different countries have different population profiles of socieconomic advantage and disadvantage (for example wealth, income, health, quality of life, econonomic and social wellbeing more broadly), and why within countries do profiles change over time or remain stable? How do "non-economic" processes, like culture, social capital, and system and institutional design contribute to different kinds of inequality profiles within countries. I am interested in these questions and also have a particular interest in how they contribute to social and economic mobility across generations and over the life course.
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Solution-oriented social science
How can we strengthen connections between social science research and "real-world" problems to develop better solutions, enhance the relevance of university research, improve research quality and lead to new scientific discoveries? How do we build stronger partnerships between university researchers, government, industry, not-for-profits and civil society organisations for the public good? How do we train researchers, build the research infrastructure and strengthen the research and innovation system to support and encourage these activities? I am interested in examining these questions and working with non-university partners on real-world problems in social policy and public policy that exemplify this approach.
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What is the point of universities?
In Australia, and internationally, trust and public confidence in universities and what they do - teaching and learning, discovering new knowledge and supporting innovation, engaging with communities - seems to be declining. Expertise, science and truth-seeking are also being questioned. At the same time, many universities are discovering or rediscovering a central purpose - to serve the public interest and the common good. I am interested in how to align university missions across teaching and learning, research and engagement to serve the public interest, the role of universities in creating an educated and engaged citizenry and their broader role in strengthening and supporting democracy.
Research impacts
Mark has led or contributed to projects which have had direct impacts on policy and practice. In 2001 he led the team which produced one of the first national studies of General Practitioners' use of information technology for the Australian Department of Health. In 2005- 2006 he led a team which produced estimates of international students' non-tuition fee expenditure which were used in the Australian National Accounts to help quantify the export value of Australian education. He also led the first national study of the employment outcomes of graduates of Australian PhD training programs. More recently, he has also worked on major evaluations of government policies and programs, such as the national Paid Parental Leave Scheme, and developed evaluation frameworks for major policy initiatives such as the Health and Hospitals Fund, which supported national health infrastructure, and the Queensland Government's 10 year Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy. Mark also sits on a number of Advisory and Expert Reference Groups for non-government organisations, and State and Federal Government Departments. Mark particularly enjoys working with partners in government, industry and the not-for-profit sector on problems that matter to them and have real-world relevance and impact.
Works
Search Professor Mark Western’s works on UQ eSpace
2007
Book
Australian Social Attitudes 2: Citzenship, Work and Aspirations
David Denemark, Gabrielle Meagher, Shaun Wilson, Mark C. Western and Phillips, Timothy eds. (2007). Australian Social Attitudes 2: Citzenship, Work and Aspirations. Sydney, NSW: UNSW Press.
2007
Other Outputs
Business Satisfaction Survey 2007. Report to Australian Federal Police
Kubler, M., Toloo, S., Western, M., Boreham, P. and Laffan, W. (2007). Business Satisfaction Survey 2007. Report to Australian Federal Police. St Lucia, Qld, Australia: The University of Queensland Social Research Centre.
2006
Journal Article
Who Decides? The Social Characteristics of Who Initiates Marital Separation
Hewitt, Belinda, Western, Mark and Baxter, Janeen (2006). Who Decides? The Social Characteristics of Who Initiates Marital Separation. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68 (5), 1165-1177. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-3737.2006.00321.x
2006
Other Outputs
Working Life and social well-being: a survey of QPSU members’ attitudes. Final Report
Boreham, Paul, Hundt, David, Laffan, Warren, Tighe, Meg, Western, Mark, Arts, Dionne, Pitt, Rachael and Kubler, Matthias (2006). Working Life and social well-being: a survey of QPSU members’ attitudes. Final Report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland Social Research Centre.
2006
Journal Article
The complementary relationship between the Internet and traditional mass media: The case of online news and information
Nguyen, An and Western, Mark (2006). The complementary relationship between the Internet and traditional mass media: The case of online news and information. Information Research, 11 (3), 151-183.
2006
Journal Article
Family, work and health - The impact of marriage, parenthood and employment on self-reported health of Australian men and women
Hewitt, B, Baxter, J and Western, M (2006). Family, work and health - The impact of marriage, parenthood and employment on self-reported health of Australian men and women. Journal of Sociology, 42 (1), 61-78. doi: 10.1177/1440783306061353
2006
Conference Publication
Has the decline of the male breadwinner family impacted on the division of domestic labour in Australia?
Chesters, J., Baxter, J. and Western, M. (2006). Has the decline of the male breadwinner family impacted on the division of domestic labour in Australia?. The Australian Sociological Association 2006 Annual Conference, Perth, Australia, 5-7 December, 2006.
2006
Other Outputs
Pilot Survey of Business Consumers: Final Report Prepared for the Department of Family and Community Services
Western, M C, Laffan, W S, Anderson-Bond, T. W., Burns, H., Arts, D A G, Kubler, M, Tighe, M. A., Robinson, S and Knight, (2006). Pilot Survey of Business Consumers: Final Report Prepared for the Department of Family and Community Services. The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus: The University of Queensland Social Research Centre.
2006
Other Outputs
Final Report of the Supplementary Survey of ELICOS Students' Spending. Prepared for the Department of Education, Science and Training
Western, M., Laffan, W., Haynes, M., Southwell, J., Arts, D., Chesters, J. and Tighe, M. (2006). Final Report of the Supplementary Survey of ELICOS Students' Spending. Prepared for the Department of Education, Science and Training. St Lucia, Brisbane: The University of Queensland Social Research Centre.
2006
Conference Publication
Methods for Categorical Longitudinal Data Analysis: Understanding the Employment Status of Women
Haynes, Michele, Western, Mark, Spallek, M. and Yu, Laurel (2006). Methods for Categorical Longitudinal Data Analysis: Understanding the Employment Status of Women. Spring Bayes 2006, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, 27-29 September 2006.
2006
Conference Publication
Marriage dissolution and health amongst the elderly: the role of social and economic resources
Hewitt, Belinda, Turrell, Gavin, Baxter, Janeen and Western, Mark (2006). Marriage dissolution and health amongst the elderly: the role of social and economic resources. Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) : 6th Annual Social Policy Research Workshop, Canberra, Australia, 27- 28th November 2006. Canberra, Australia: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
2006
Other Outputs
2006 AFP client satisfaction survey: Final report
Western, M., Laffan, W., Kubler, M., Pitt, R., Sheedy, G., Yu, L., Mackey, J., Arts, D. and Tighe, M. (2006). 2006 AFP client satisfaction survey: Final report. AFP Research Notes Series St. Lucia, Qld, Australia: The University of Queensland Social Research Centre.
2005
Journal Article
Online News in Australia: Patterns of Use and Gratification
Nguyen, An, Ferrier, Elizabeth, Western, Mark and McKay, Susan (2005). Online News in Australia: Patterns of Use and Gratification. Australian Studies in Journalism (15), 5-34.
2005
Journal Article
Post-Familial Families and the Domestic Division of Labour
Baxter, Janeen, Hewitt, Belinda and Western, Mark (2005). Post-Familial Families and the Domestic Division of Labour. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 36 (4), 583-600. doi: 10.3138/jcfs.36.4.583
2005
Other Outputs
Housing consumption patterns and earnings behaviour of income support recipients over time
Seelig, Tim, Han, Jung Hoon, O'Flaherty, Martin, Short, Patricia, Haynes, Michele A., Baum, Scott William, Western, Mark C. and Jones, Andrew (2005). Housing consumption patterns and earnings behaviour of income support recipients over time. AHURI Positioning Papers Melbourne, Australia: Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.
2005
Other Outputs
Queensland Public Attitudes Survey: Report to the Crime and Misconduct Commission Queensland
Western, M., Laffan, W., Boreham, P., Haynes, M. and Tighe, M. (2005). Queensland Public Attitudes Survey: Report to the Crime and Misconduct Commission Queensland. St. Lucia, Qld, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2005
Journal Article
Marriage and money: Variations across the earnings distribution
Western, Mark, Hewitt, Belinda and Baxter, Janeen (2005). Marriage and money: Variations across the earnings distribution. Australian Journal of Labour Economics, 8 (2), 163-179.
2005
Book Chapter
Introduction
Gibson, Rachel, Wilson, Shanu, Meagher, Gabrielle, Denemark, David and Western, Mark (2005). Introduction. Australian Social Attitudes: The First Report. (pp. 1-11) edited by Shaun Wilson, Gabrielle Meagher, Rachel Gibson, David Denemark and Mark Western. Sydney, NSW, Australia: University of New South Wales Press.
2005
Conference Publication
Who made the final decision?: Social characteristics and initiator status of marriage breakdown
Hewitt, Belinda, Western, Mark and Baxter, Janeen (2005). Who made the final decision?: Social characteristics and initiator status of marriage breakdown. Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs: Seminar Series, Canberra, Australia, 24 August, 2005. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Government, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs: FaHCSIA.
2005
Other Outputs
Survey of International Students' spending in Australia: Report to the Department of Education, Science & Training
Western, Mark, Boreham, Paul, Laffan, Warren, Haynes, Michele, Chesters, Jenny, Tighe, Meg and Arts, Dionne (2005). Survey of International Students' spending in Australia: Report to the Department of Education, Science & Training. St. Lucia, Qld, Australia: University of Queensland Social Research Centre.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Mark Western is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Completed supervision
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Good jobs versus Bad jobs: An empirical analysis of job quality in Indonesia's informal economy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Wojtek Tomaszewski
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Population Synthesis for Travel Demand Modelling in Australian Capital Cities
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Intergenerational economic mobility in contemporary Australia: Is Australia still the land of the 'fair go'?
Principal Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Health systems strengthening in global and national contexts
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Melissa Curley
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
A Longitudinal Approach to Measuring Income Mobility among Filipino Households
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Wojtek Tomaszewski
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The influence of children on female wages: better or worse in Australia?
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Janeen Baxter, Emeritus Professor Gillian Whitehouse
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
BEYOND GENTRIFICATION: THE NEXT WAVE OF INNER CITY SETTLEMENT
Principal Advisor
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2004
Master Philosophy
DEMOGRAPHY OF PERCEPTION
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Beyond parental school choice: Understanding parental engagement in the context of school choice policies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Wojtek Tomaszewski, Associate Professor Jenny Povey
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Pasifika Well-Being and Trans-Tasman Migration: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Samoan and Tongan Well-Being Perspectives and Experiences in Auckland and Brisbane
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kelly Greenop, Professor Paul Memmott
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Bridging the theory to evidence gap: a systematic review and analysis of individual × environment models of child development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Karen Thorpe
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
The housing security afforded by the later life housing circumstances of ex-service households of Queensland: A life course perspective.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cameron Parsell, Associate Professor Maree Petersen
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Educational and Occupational Aspirations of Young Australians: Towards Understanding Socioeconomic Outcomes
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Youth internet engagement and inequality in Australian society.
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
A Foucauldian and Quantitative Analysis of NAPLAN, the category 'Language Background Other Than English', and English as a Second Language Level.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Bob Lingard
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Cohabitation in Australia: Characteristics, Transitions and Outcomes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Janeen Baxter
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Fraud against the Commonwealth: An analysis of serious and complex economic fraud investigated by the Australian Federal Police
Associate Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Environmental Determinants of Sibling Similarities and Differences in Problem Behaviour
Associate Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Household structure and housework hours: The effect of women's changing labour force participation on the domestic division of labour
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Janeen Baxter
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Urban quality of life: Linking objective dimensions and subjective evaluations of urban environments
Associate Advisor
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
THE DIFFUSION AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF ONLINE NEWS: STUDYING THE PAST AND PRESENT TO UNDERSTAND THE FUTURE OF THE INTERNET AS A NEWS MEDIUM
Associate Advisor
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
MARRIAGE BREAKDOWN IN AUSTRALIA: SOCIAL CORRELATES, GENDER AND INITIATOR STATUS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Janeen Baxter
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
GENDERED CODES OF PARLIAMENTARY CONDUCT
Associate Advisor
Media
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