Professor Deborah Blackman
PhD, "The Epistemology of the Learning Organization", Nottingham Trent University, 2002
Post Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching, 2001
Post Graduate Certificate in Research, Nottingham Trent University, 1998
MA Manpower Studies, Polytechnic of Central London, 1985
BSc (Hons) Hotel and Catering Administration, University of Surrey, 1983
Professor Deborah Blackman is the Associate Dean Lifelong Learning at UNSW, Canberra. She is responsible for the development of the UNSW Canberra microcredentialling portfolio, both in terms of content and researching how well such programs work.
As an active memberof the Public Service Research Group, in the School of Business my research interests include: Public Sector Policy Implementation, Systems Level Change, Employee Performance Management, Organisational Learning and Organisational Effectiveness. In 2021 I coedited the Handbook on Performance Management in the Public Sector. I have published internationally in journals including Public Administration Review, Management Learning, Management Decision, Journal of Knowledge Management and the Human Resources Development Quarterly.
I research knowledge transfer in a range of applied, real world contexts. My primary interest is using philosophical and systems explanations to understand why things do not work when theory implies that they should. From those enhanced understandings, new theories and applications can be developed to support the implementation of change or reform. The common theme of my work is developing effective knowledge acquisition and transfer in order to improve organisational effectiveness.
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
Since 2018:
2021-2022: UNSW support to Air Force Organisation Design Review
2021-2022: The Impact of Flexible Working on Productivity, Wellbeing and Effectiveness of Workers in the ACT Public Service
2021-2022: Evaluating Value of Secondment Opportunities in the AFP
2020-2021: Determining Hidden Value in Systems
2018-2019: An Evaluation of Understanding of Performance management in the AFP
- Richard A. Swanson Research Excellence Award awarded to 'Using system traps to understand and potentially prevent human resource development intervention failure' for an outstanding contribution published in one of the four issues of the previous year's volume in Human Resource Development Quarterly
- Best Article of 2019 in the Review of Public Personnel Administration awarded to 'Managing Expectations to Create High Performance Government'.
I contribute to the overall performance of the Complex Systems stream of the Public Service Research Group. My contributions are as follows:
- Leading the Hidden Value in Systems project (supported by the Australian Tax Office and the Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council)
- A member of a group researching the impact of system complexity on effective long-term crisis recovery
- A member of the Flexible Working in the ACT PS project (funded by ANZSOG)
- Working on a project on well-being in a division of a large APS department
- Undertaking research into machinery of government changes, both in the APS and Australian public sector more broadly
- Continuing to publish from previous research projects, including the Strengthening the Performance Framework project and Middle Management Capability project.
In the Media:
- Blackman, D. and Yates, S. (2021) Demonstrating hidden value in a complex public service system: Consider the HR business partner. The Mandarin. Wednesday September 8.
- Deborah Blackman on 'dancing with the system' (2021). APS HP Professional News 12 October.
- Seeing the policy big picture - 11 May 2018 - Podcast. Anyone engaged in policymaking knows that it's a complex business. But how often do policymakers take the time to think about the number of complex systems that have a bearing on their work? On the latest podcast, Helen Sullivan chats wth Deborah Blackman, Claudia Pahl-Wostl, and Datu Buyung Agusdinata about how thinking about the science of systems can lead to better policymaking. Listen here.
Memberships:
- APS HR Professional Stream
- AHRI Research Committee
- Member of the Academy of Management
My Research Supervision
- PhD, Testing the nomological network for the Personal Engagement Model.
- DPM, Does disparity in the mental models of senior and middle managers help explain organizational change failure?
- DPM, Developing a conceptual model that integrates behavioural economics and design-thinking that can be used to support public sector policy development.
- DPM, How does context impact the value sought by organisations through talent management programs?
- PhD, The social construction of property rights across governance scales and the implications for biodiversity conservation in Australia.
- PhD, Exploring the construction of relationships in the context of human-wildlife conflict.
- DPM, Leveraging future intangible assets and opportunities to optimise organisational performance within the Australian Defence Force through better integration of the human dimension across the joint force.
- PhD, Accounting for public value creation in the context of the Royal Australian Air Force.
- PhD, Review Systems of measurement and information collection in the public service, reviewing public service literature through an education lens with a focus on Aotearoa New Zealand.
My Teaching
My teaching revolves around developing people within organisational systems in order to create better outcomes as well as outputs. I am particularly interested in where different areas intersect to create more nuanced understandings and practice.