
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 Head of School, and a member of the Public Service Research Group, in the School of Business at UNSW, Canberra.
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.
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
I contribute to the overall performance of the Complex Systems stream of the Public Service Research Group. My contributions are as follows:
In the Media:
Memberships:
My Research Supervision
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.