Deborah Blackman

Professor Deborah Blackman is an academic at UNSW Canberra, serving as the Associate Dean Lifelong Learning. She specializes in Public Sector Management, Systems Thinking, and Employee Performance, with a focus on knowledge transfer and organizational effectiveness.

• Education:
  • 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)
• Research Interests:

  Her work applies philosophical and systems-based approaches to understand why public sector reforms fail in practice despite theoretical soundness. Key areas include Systems Level Change, Employee Performance Management, and Flexible Working impacts on productivity and well-being. She leads projects like the Hidden Value in Systems initiative and investigates machinery-of-government changes.

• Grants:
  • 2021-2022: UNSW support for Air Force Organisation Design Review
  • 2021-2022: ACT Public Service Flexible Working Impact Study
  • 2020-2021: Hidden Value in Systems project
• Scientific Awards:
  • Richard A. Swanson Research Excellence Award (2022)
  • Best Article of 2019 in Review of Public Personnel Administration (2019)
• Engagement:Active in media discussions on systems thinking in policymaking, podcast appearances, and memberships in the Academy of Management and APS HR Professional Stream.