Mark Moran is Professor and Group Leader of Development Effectiveness at the Institute for Social Science Research, UQ’s flagship unit for applied social science research and one of the largest social science research institutes in Australia.
Professor Moran has a unique background that includes both social science research and applied development projects, in a career spanning academia, non-profits, government and consultancy. His cross-sectoral career is a strength for his current research, which focuses on the science of development effectiveness—toward forging new collaborations between academia and development practice.
His work traverses Indigenous and international development contexts, including Aboriginal Australia, Native America, Bolivia, China, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Lesotho. Additionally, he has comprehensive research and practical experience in complex and politicised development contexts, including project and stakeholder management, governance, public finance management, participation, community planning, social housing, water and sanitation.
Professor Moran actively translates his research and professional experience through innovative teaching at UQ. He is Program Director for the Master of Leadership in Global Development (MLGD), Australia’s only coursework master’s program that combines theory, leadership, management and business acumen. He is also the Academic Lead of Australia’s first MicroMasters® credential. The Leadership in Global Development MicroMasters is an innovative online course series delivered through edX, which forms a core component of the MLGD. He also delivers a professional development short course, Advanced Place-Based Development Approaches, to industry, NGO and government partners.
Among his publications is Serious Whitefella Stuff: When Solutions Became the Problem in Indigenous Affairs, a popular text that applies international development practices to local Indigenous communities in remote Australia.
Journal Article: Building capacity in indigenous governance: Comparing the Australian and American experiences
Hendrix, Burke A., Delaney, Danielle, Witmer, Richard C., Moran, Mark, Sanders, Will and Ganter, Elizabeth (2019) Building capacity in indigenous governance: Comparing the Australian and American experiences. Australian Journal of Public Administration, . doi:10.1111/1467-8500.12403
Journal Article: Complexity and hybrid effects in the delivery and evaluation of youth programs in a remote Indigenous community
Staines, Zoe and Moran, Mark (2019) Complexity and hybrid effects in the delivery and evaluation of youth programs in a remote Indigenous community. Australian Journal of Public Administration, . doi:10.1111/1467-8500.12371
Journal Article: In the post-APEC scramble to lavish funds on PNG, here’s what the country really needs
Moran, Mark (2018, November 23). In the post-APEC scramble to lavish funds on PNG, here’s what the country really needs. The Conversation, .
Embedded Program Evaluation: Natural Resource Governance Global Signature Program
(2019) BHP Foundation
(2019) Commonwealth Department of Defence
Assessing the Impact of Public Finances on the PNG-Australia Borderland
(2016–2019) ARC Discovery Projects
The lessons from international development for indigenous affairs
Doctor Philosophy
Disturbance preceding displacement: Development practice in preparation for mining and resettlement
(2017) Doctor Philosophy
Serious whitefella stuff: when solutions became the problem in Indigenous affairs
Moran, Mark Serious whitefella stuff: when solutions became the problem in Indigenous affairs. Carlton, Victoria, Australia: Melbourne University Press, 2016.
Bourke Housing Project Evaluation: From Houses to Homes
Moran, Mark (2014) Bourke Housing Project Evaluation: From Houses to Homes. , Bourke Aboriginal Community Working Party, Murdi Paaki Regional Enterprise Corporation.
Desert Services that Work: Year One Research Report
Moran, Mark, Anda, Martin, Elvin, Ruth, Kennedy, Annie, Long, Stephen, McFallan, Stephen, McGrath, Natalie, Memmott, Paul, Mulgan, Richard, Stanley, Oowen, Sullivan, Patrick, Tedmanson, Deirdre, Wright, Alyson and Young, Metta (2009) Desert Services that Work: Year One Research Report Alice Springs, NT Australia: Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre
Perceptions of home ownership among IBA home loan clients
Szava, Anna and Moran, Mark (2008) Perceptions of home ownership among IBA home loan clients Woden, ACT, Australia: Centre for Appropriate Technology
Moran, Mark, Simpson Reeves, Laura and Wright, Alyson (2018). Complicating dynamics: the challenge of adapting the sustainable livelihoods framework to a remote Indigenous context in Australia. In Shevellar, Lynda and Westoby, Peter (Ed.), Routledge Handbook of Community Development Research (pp. 146-160) London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781315612829
Closing the gap is proving hard, but by working developmentally we can do better
Moran, Mark (2016). Closing the gap is proving hard, but by working developmentally we can do better. In The Conversation (Ed.), Ideas for Australia: 10 big issues for election 2016 and beyond 1 ed. (pp. 102-105) Sydney, NSW, Australia: Future Leaders.
Not another service provider: partnering for sustainability
Hutchins T and Moran M (2011). Not another service provider: partnering for sustainability. In Annual Program Review 2010 (pp. 13-16) Melbourne, VIC, Australia: World Vision Australia.
Building capacity in indigenous governance: Comparing the Australian and American experiences
Hendrix, Burke A., Delaney, Danielle, Witmer, Richard C., Moran, Mark, Sanders, Will and Ganter, Elizabeth (2019) Building capacity in indigenous governance: Comparing the Australian and American experiences. Australian Journal of Public Administration, . doi:10.1111/1467-8500.12403
Staines, Zoe and Moran, Mark (2019) Complexity and hybrid effects in the delivery and evaluation of youth programs in a remote Indigenous community. Australian Journal of Public Administration, . doi:10.1111/1467-8500.12371
In the post-APEC scramble to lavish funds on PNG, here’s what the country really needs
Moran, Mark (2018, November 23). In the post-APEC scramble to lavish funds on PNG, here’s what the country really needs. The Conversation, .
The courage to reform: Fixing the Commonwealth’s Indigenous policies
Moran, Mark (2018) The courage to reform: Fixing the Commonwealth’s Indigenous policies. Griffith Review, 60 .
Moran, Mark, Reeves, Laura Simpson and Wright, Alyson (2018) Complicating dynamics Adapting the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to a remote Indigenous context in Australia. Routledge Handbook of Community Development Research, 146-160.
Nash, Daphne, Memmott, Paul and Moran, Mark (2017) House rules: a study of conditionality and indigenous social housing tenancies in urban, regional and remote Australia. Indigenous Law Bulletin, 8 30: 15-19.
Indigenous lifeworlds, conditionality and housing outcomes
Moran, Mark, Memmott, Paul, Nash, Daphne, Birdsall-Jones, Chris, Fantin, Shaneen, Phillips, Rhonda and Habibis, Daphne (2016) Indigenous lifeworlds, conditionality and housing outcomes. AHURI Final Report, 260: 1-125.
The Impact of Funding Modalities on the Performance of Indigenous Organisations
Moran, Mark, Porter, Doug and Curth-Bibb, Jodie (2016) The Impact of Funding Modalities on the Performance of Indigenous Organisations. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 75 3: 359-372. doi:10.1111/1467-8500.12192
The wicked problem of alcohol management
Moran, Mark (2016) The wicked problem of alcohol management. Inside Story, .
How community-based innovation can help Australia close the Indigenous gap
Moran, Mark (2016, March 04). How community-based innovation can help Australia close the Indigenous gap. , .
Indigenous lifeworlds, conditionality and housing outcomes
Moran, Mark, Memmott, Paul, Nash, Daphne, Birdsall-Jones, Chris, Fantin, Shaneen, Phillips, Rhonda and Habibis, Daphne (2016) Indigenous lifeworlds, conditionality and housing outcomes Melbourne, Australia: Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute
Adapting development practice to indigenous contexts
Moran, Mark and Corpus, Gemina (2014) Adapting development practice to indigenous contexts. Development Bulletin, 76 79-83.
Case Study Rationale and Location Scoping Study
Moran, Mark, Memmott, Paul, Birsdall-Jones, Christina and Nash, Daphne (2014) Case Study Rationale and Location Scoping Study St Lucia, QLD Australia: AHURI
Reinventing the governance of public finances in remote Indigenous Australia
Moran, Mark and Porter, Doug (2014) Reinventing the governance of public finances in remote Indigenous Australia. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 73 1: 115-127. doi:10.1111/1467-8500.12064
Moran, Mark, Porter, Doug and Curth-Bibb, Jodie (2014) Funding Indigenous organisations: improving governance performance through innovations in public finance management in remote Australia Canberra, Australia: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare AIHW
Habibis, Daphne, Memmott, Paul, Phillips, Rhonda, Go-Sam, Carroll, Keys, Cathy and Moran, Mark (2013) Housing conditionality, Indigenous lifeworlds and policy outcomes: towards a model for culturally responsive housing provision Melbourne, Australia: Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute
Mothers know best: managing grog in Kowanyama
Moran, Mark (2013) Mothers know best: managing grog in Kowanyama. Griffith Review, 1 40: 196-209.
The answer to Olga's question?
Moran, Mark and Sullivan, Patrick (2012) The answer to Olga's question?. On Line Opinion, .
Breaking through bureaucracy in Indigenous governance
Moran, Mark and Porter, Doug (2012) Breaking through bureaucracy in Indigenous governance. The Drum, .
The 30-year cycle: indigenous policy and the tide of public opinion
Moran, Mark (2012, July 06). The 30-year cycle: indigenous policy and the tide of public opinion. , .
Bridging the gap of Indigenous development
Moran, Mark (2012) Bridging the gap of Indigenous development. The Drum, .
Moran, Mark (2012) A different inequality. The Drum, .
Moran, Mark, Robb, Kathryn, Barragan, Maria Christina Mejia, Beltran, Nelson Machicao, Limon, Hugo Arevalo and Balanza, Nayel Afcha (2011) Evaluation Report: Legal Identity and Citizen Rights for Indigenous Women, Children and Adolescents of Bolivia Brisbane, Australia: World Vision International
Perceptions of home ownership among Indigenous home owners
Moran, Mark, Mcqueen, Kirsti and Szava, Anna (2010) Perceptions of home ownership among Indigenous home owners. Urban Policy and Research, 28 3: 311-325. doi:10.1080/08111146.2010.510552
The intercultural practice of local governance in an Aboriginal settlement in Australia
Moran, Mark (2010) The intercultural practice of local governance in an Aboriginal settlement in Australia. Human Organization, 69 1: 65-74. doi:10.17730/humo.69.1.84r6r24512846574
Indigenous home ownership on communal title lands
Memmott, Paul, Moran, Mark, Birdsall-Jones, Christina, Kreutz, Angela, Godwin, Jenine, Burgess, Anne, Thomson, Linda and Lee Sheppard (2009) Indigenous home ownership on communal title lands. AHURI Final Report, 1-142.
Coping with complexity: Adaptive governance in desert Australia
Moran, Mark and Elvin, Ruth (2009) Coping with complexity: Adaptive governance in desert Australia. GeoJournal, 74 5: 415-428. doi:10.1007/s10708-008-9240-y
On questioning the “viability” of remote Aboriginal settlements
Moran, Mark (2009) On questioning the “viability” of remote Aboriginal settlements. Crikey, .
What job, which house?: Simple solutions to complex problems in indigenous affairs
Moran, Mark (2009) What job, which house?: Simple solutions to complex problems in indigenous affairs. Australian Review of Public Affairs (Digest), 1-13.
Contested governance: Cultural power and institutions in indigenous Australia
Moran, Mark (2009) Contested governance: Cultural power and institutions in indigenous Australia. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 68 2: 231-232. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8500.2009.00634_1.x
Indigenous home ownership on communal title lands
Memmott, Paul, Birdsall-Jones, Christina, Moran, Mark and Long, Stephen (2009) Indigenous home ownership on communal title lands. AHURI Positioning Paper, 112: 1-30.
The viability of 'Hub' settlements
Moran, Mark (2009) The viability of 'Hub' settlements. Dialogue, 29 1: 38-51.
Dreaming the great Australian dream
Moran, Mark (2008) Dreaming the great Australian dream. Architecture Australia, 97 5: 77-78.
Moran, Mark (2008) Demand responsive services: Towards an analytical framework for administrative practice in indigenous settlements. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 67 2: 186-199. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8500.2008.00581.x
Moran, Mark (2008) Neoliberalism and indigenous affairs: "Development Beyond Neoliberalism: Governance, Poverty Reduction and Political Economy" by David Craig and Douglas Porter New York, Routledge, 2006 (352 pp). Australian Review of Public Affairs, .
The ‘viability’ and resilience of communities and settlements in desert Australia
Stafford Smith, Mark, Moran, Mark and Seeman, Kurt (2008) The ‘viability’ and resilience of communities and settlements in desert Australia. The Rangeland Journal, 30 1: 123-135. doi:10.1071/RJ07048
Moran, Mark F. (2004) The practice of participatory planning at Mapoon Aboriginal settlement: Towards community control, ownership and autonomy. Australian Geographical Studies, 42 3: 339-355. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8470.2004.00277.x
Moran, M. F. (2003) An evaluation of participatory planning at Mapoon Aboriginal community: Opportunities for inclusive local governance. Australian Aboriginal Studies, 2 72-84.
Indigenous Home Ownership and Community Title Land: A Preliminary Household Survey
Moran, Mark, Memmott, Paul, Long, Stephen, Stacy, Rachel and Holt, John (2002) Indigenous Home Ownership and Community Title Land: A Preliminary Household Survey. Urban Policy and Research, 20 4: 357-370. doi:10.1080/0811114022000032591
Moran, Mark (2002) The devolution of indigenous local government authority in Queensland: Opportunities for statutory planning. Australian Planner, 39 2: 72-82.
Moran, M. F. (2000) Housing and health in indigenous communities in the USA, Canada and Australia: The significance of economic empowerment. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Bulletin, .
Which way kaikai blo umi? Food and nutrition in the Torres strait
Leonard, D, Beilin, R and Moran, M (1995) Which way kaikai blo umi? Food and nutrition in the Torres strait. Australian Journal of Public Health, 19 6: 589-595.
Assessing the impact of public finances on the PNG-Australia borderland
Simpson Reeves, Laura and Moran, Mark (2016). Assessing the impact of public finances on the PNG-Australia borderland. In: Australasian Aid and International Development Conference, Canberra, ACT, Australia, (). 10-11 February 2016.
Conditionality, recognition and Indigenous housing policy in Australia
Habibis, Daphne, Memmott, Paul, Phillips, Rhonda and Moran, Mark (2012). Conditionality, recognition and Indigenous housing policy in Australia. In: Deirdre Howard-Wagner, Daphne Habibis and Theresa Petray, Theorising Indigenous Sociology: Australian Perspectives Workshop Proceedings. Theorising Indigenous Sociology: Australian Perspectives Workshop, Sydney, Australia, (1-12). 19-20 July 2012.
Home ownership for Indigenous people living on community title land in Queensland
Memmott, P. C., Moran, M. F., Long, S., Stacy, R. and Holt, J. (2001). Home ownership for Indigenous people living on community title land in Queensland. In: Proceedings of National Housing Conference 2001: Our Homes, Our Communities, Our Future. unknown, Brisbane, (1-11). 24-26 Oct, 2001.
Mobile money: An opportunity for development and governance in rural Papua New Guinea
Moran, Mark (2018, November 06). Mobile money: An opportunity for development and governance in rural Papua New Guinea. Center for Global Development: Commentary and Analysis Blog, .
Structures must change to allow Indigenous development
Moran, Mark (2016, July 08). Structures must change to allow Indigenous development. SBS, .
When solutions become the problems in Indigenous affairs
Moran, Mark (2016, February 06). When solutions become the problems in Indigenous affairs. The Sydney Morning Herald, .
Indigenous governance and mining in Bolivia
Robb, Kathryn, Moran, Mark, Thom, Victoria and Coburn, Justin (2015) Indigenous governance and mining in Bolivia Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland: International Mining for Development Centre
Shotton, R., Moran, M. , Rees, E. and Guterres, E. (2013) Timor-Leste review of sub-national development spending: study team report: World Bank, Justice for the Poor Program and Government of Timor-Leste, Ministry of Finance :
Fix the system and the rest follows
Moran, Mark and Porter, Doug (2012, June 09). Fix the system and the rest follows. The Australian, .
Moran, M. and Cahill, A. (2011) Proposed Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Development Programming. Scoping study to establish design parameters for a suite of tailored training programs Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Government, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Desert services that work: Year one research report
Moran, M., Anda, M., Elvin, R., Kennedy, A., Long, S., McFallan, S., McGrath, N., Memmott, P., Mulgan, R., Stanley, O., Sullivan, P., Tedmanson, D., Wright, A. and Young, M. (2009). Desert services that work: Year one research report. Desert Knowledge CRC: The Working Paper series 30, .
The interethnic practice of local governance in Aboriginal settlements in desert Australia
Moran, Mark (2007). The interethnic practice of local governance in Aboriginal settlements in desert Australia. Desert Knowledge CRC: The working paper series 12, Australian Government Cooperation Research Centres Programme, Desert Knowledge CRC.
The transformation of assets for sustainable livelihoods in a remote Aboriginal settlement
Moran, Mark, Wright, Alyson, Renehan, Peter, Szava, Anna, Beard, Nerida and Rich, Elliat (2007) The transformation of assets for sustainable livelihoods in a remote Aboriginal settlement Alice Springs, N.T: Centre for Appropriate Technology and the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre
Moran, Mark F. (2006). Practising self-determination: Participation in planning and local governance in discrete indigenous settlements PhD Thesis, School of Geography, Planning and Architecture, The University of Queensland.
Chongqing Comprehensive Poverty Alleviation Project: Activity Completion Report, Vol. 1-8
Moran, M. (2005) Chongqing Comprehensive Poverty Alleviation Project: Activity Completion Report, Vol. 1-8 Hassall and Associates, Canberra: Australian Agency for International Development
Chongqing Comprehensive Poverty Alleviation Project: Village Road Maintenance Manual
Moran, Mark (2003) Chongqing Comprehensive Poverty Alleviation Project: Village Road Maintenance Manual Canberra, Australia: Australian Agency for International Development, Hassall and Associates
Memmott, P. C., Long, S. J., Moran, M.F., Stacy, R. and Holt, J. (2001) Home ownership for Indigenous people living on community title land in Queensland: Preliminary community survey Brisbane: Aboriginal Environments Research Centre
Indigenous Settlements of Australia
Memmott, P. C. and Moran, M. F. (2001) Indigenous Settlements of Australia http:www.ea.gov.au/soe/techpapers/indigenous/introduction.html: Environment Australia, Dept of the Environment & Heritage
Embedded Program Evaluation: Natural Resource Governance Global Signature Program
(2019) BHP Foundation
(2019) Commonwealth Department of Defence
Assessing the Impact of Public Finances on the PNG-Australia Borderland
(2016–2019) ARC Discovery Projects
(2015–2017) Australian Civil-Military Centre
Defining the Impact of Regionalism on Aboriginal Housing and Settlements
(2014–2016) ARC Discovery Indigenous
Strengthening Indigenous governance in Bolivia through mining
(2014–2015) University of Western Australia
Empowered Communities (Cape York Institute sub)
(2014) Cape York Institute
Public Finance Management for Improved Indigenous Governance
(2013–2015) Australian Institute of Health & Welfare
Aboriginal Lifeways Conditionality Housing Outcomes
(2012–2016) Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited
Indigenous Homeownership on Communal Title Lands
(2008–2009) Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited
Note for students: Professor Mark Moran is not currently available to take on new students.
The lessons from international development for indigenous affairs
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Disturbance preceding displacement: Development practice in preparation for mining and resettlement
(2017) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: