
Professor Roberta Ryan
Professor
Office PVC - Human and Social Futures
- Email:roberta.ryan@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:+61 402209896
Career Summary
Biography
Professor Roberta Ryan was appointed in April 2020 to the Faculty of Business and Law as the inaugural Professor of Local Government. A political sociologist, Roberta brings extensive experience in applied public policy, research and evaluation, with particular strengths in working with subnational governments around Australia and internationally. Her work focuses upon strategically positioning local and regional governance as key to ongoing regional prosperity. Professor Ryan will continue the University’s regional and global impact research supporting the vital role of local governments as enablers of economic and social transition. Roberta is currently the Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Law and from 2021 will provide on-going support to the politics discipline within the Faculty.
Prior to this role she was the inaugural Director of the University of Technology Sydney, Institute for Public Policy and Governance (IPPG), and the Director of the UTS Centre for Local Government and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government November 2012-March 2020. During this period IPPG significantly grew the university’s impact research income through engaged policy research and advisory for all levels of government across a range of policy fields and established the Master of Applied Policy. Roberta’s work was twice nominated for the Research Impact award. She is also currently appointed by the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces as a member of the Sydney Eastern City Regional Planning Panel and she is a non-executive director of Unisson Disability Services as well as a board member and Regional VP of International Association of Schools and Institute of Administration. Her previous academic positions were at Macquarie University teaching the Masters of Public Policy program and at the University of NSW for over a decade which included developing and teaching graduate and undergraduate programs in social science and policy.
Fascinated by the relationship between people and places, the interactions of individuals and groups with the environment has always intrigued her and is a core focus of her work. Expert in social planning, social research and evaluation, community engagement/public participation and strategic planning, Roberta is keen to facilitate more equitable social outcomes through community and sector led practices. Having conducted hundreds of applied research and policy projects her advisory to international, federal, state and local governments is in a range of areas, including public administration, governance and policy; strategic organisational and land use planning; service delivery; the arts, environment, water, social and affordable housing, local democracy and sustainability. She is known for bringing together diverse views in complex, sensitive and contested stakeholder environments to enhance the outcomes for communities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts Honours, University of Sydney
- Bachelor of Social Studies Honours, University of Sydney
Keywords
- Applied policy
- Community engagement/public participation
- Impact research
- Local and regional governance
- Social and strategic planning
- Social research and evaluation
Professional Experience
Academic appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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30/11/2011 - 31/3/2020 | Director, UTS Centre for Local Government | University of Technology Sydney Australia |
30/11/2011 - 31/3/2020 | Director, Institute of Public Policy and Governance | University of Technology Sydney Australia |
30/11/2011 - 31/3/2020 | Director, UTS Centre of Excellence for Local Government | University of Technology Sydney Australia |
1/1/1989 - 1/1/2000 | Academic | University of New South Wales |
6/7/2020 - | Deputy Head of Faculty | Faculty of Business & Law, The University of Newcastle Australia |
Professional appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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30/11/2005 - 31/8/2012 | Partner/Director | Urbis Pty Ltd |
1/1/2000 - 31/10/2005 | Director / Associate Director | Elton Consulting - Social Planning and Social Research Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Book (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2016 |
Schoburgh ED, Ryan R, Handbook of research on sub-national governance and development (2016) © 2017 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. Effective governance is a crucial aspect of all modern nations. Through various collaborative efforts and processes, nations can enhance... [more] © 2017 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. Effective governance is a crucial aspect of all modern nations. Through various collaborative efforts and processes, nations can enhance their current governance systems. The Handbook of Research on Sub-National Governance and Development is a pivotal reference source for the latest scholarly material on the intersection between local and national politics, analyzing how this relationship affects nations' economy and administration. Highlighting theoretical foundations and real-world applications, this book is ideally designed for professionals, academics, students, and practitioners actively involved in the fields of public policy and governance.
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Chapter (10 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2019 |
Ryan R, Woods R, 'Women s political empowerment: Lessons for subnational levels of government - Nepal, Pakistan, Rwanda, and Indonesia', Gender and Diversity: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications, IGI 406-426 (2019)
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2019 | Ryan R, 'Local Government in Australia', Australian Politics and Policy, Sydney University Press, Sydney 330-350 (2019) | ||||
2019 | Ryan R, 'Performance Monitoring in New South Wales Australia', Performance-Based Budgeting in the Public Sector, Palgrave Macmillan, New York 61-77 (2019) | ||||
2016 |
Ryan R, Woods R, 'Decentralization and subnational governance: Theory and praxis', Handbook of Research on Sub-National Governance and Development 1-33 (2016) © 2017 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. A trend towards decentralized systems of government and the strengthening of subnational governance is underway globally. However, decen... [more] © 2017 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. A trend towards decentralized systems of government and the strengthening of subnational governance is underway globally. However, decentralization has many different meanings, and it is frequently left undefined, even while it is being implemented. This chapter argues that enhanced understanding of concepts and theories can contribute to improved practice during decentralization reforms, and consequently be of benefit both to governments and their citizens. Drawing on the theoretical, research and public administration literature, an approach is adopted that aims to inform decentralization praxis, that is, the interplay of policy, strategy, implementation and review. The material is used as a foundation for presenting a synthesis-framework for praxis that draws attention to: appreciating the theoretical scope of fiscal decentralization; focusing on the country and its goals; considering the design of the system of multi-level governance; focusing on central and local capacity; and adopting flexibility, supported by feedback mechanisms, in the process of decentralization.
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2016 |
Ryan R, Woods R, 'Women's political empowerment: Lessons for subnational levels of government - Nepal, Pakistan, Rwanda, and Indonesia', Handbook of Research on Sub-National Governance and Development 385-405 (2016) © 2017 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. Political participation by women is central to development and the empowerment of all citizens. This chapter argues for the recognition ... [more] © 2017 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. Political participation by women is central to development and the empowerment of all citizens. This chapter argues for the recognition of opportunities for women in leadership, political participation, and the strengthening of democracy at the level of subnational governments. A key reason for focusing on gender equity in political life is that women constitute slightly more than half of the world's population, and they contribute to the social and economic development of all societies to a greater degree than men because of their dual roles in the productive and reproductive spheres. At the same time, their participation in formal political structures and processes, where they can contribute to decisions on the use of societal resources generated by both men and women, remains far below parity. Drawing examples from a range of national parliaments and countries, this chapter demonstrates lessons for increasing political participation by women in subnational governance.
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Show 7 more chapters |
Journal article (18 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2020 |
Vogel RK, Ryan R, Lawrie A, Grant BJ, Xianming M, Walsh P, Morris A, 'Global City Sydney', Progress in Planning, (2020)
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2018 | Ryan R, Lawrie A, 'Australia s System of Local Government', Inner City Voice, (2018) | |||||||
2018 | Ryan R, Vogel RK, 'Global City Sydney, Progress in Planning (2018) | |||||||
2016 |
Grant B, Ryan R, Kelly A, 'The Australian Government s White Paper on Reform of the Federation and the Future of Australian Local Government', International Journal of Public Administration, 39 707-717 (2016) © 2016 Taylor & Francis. The Abbott Government announced its White Paper review of the Australian Federation on June 28, 2014. Set against this backdrop, discussions of the ... [more] © 2016 Taylor & Francis. The Abbott Government announced its White Paper review of the Australian Federation on June 28, 2014. Set against this backdrop, discussions of the future of Australian local government may provoke an assumption that its role will be cruelled. However, reflection suggests that such an assumption is misplaced. In particular, when the complexities of regionalism in Australia are considered, the potential role of local government begs revisiting. We argue that local government ought to adopt a forthright position in the current debate, particularly with respect to financial reform.
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2016 |
Ryan R, Hastings C, Grant B, Lawrie A, Ní Shé É, Wortley L, 'The Australian Experience of Municipal Amalgamation: Asking the Citizenry and Exploring the Implications', Australian Journal of Public Administration, 75 373-390 (2016) © 2015 Institute of Public Administration Australia Debate over municipal amalgamations in Australian continues to dominate local government reform agendas, with the putative need... [more] © 2015 Institute of Public Administration Australia Debate over municipal amalgamations in Australian continues to dominate local government reform agendas, with the putative need to achieve economies of scale and scope consistently set against anti-amalgamation arguments designed to preserve extant communities. Following from an examination of recent episodes of consolidation in Australia, this paper reports on citizens' attitudes to amalgamation garnered from a national survey of 2,006 individuals. We found that generally, citizens are ambivalent toward amalgamation, although attitudes were influenced by particular demographic characteristics and attitudes to representation, belonging, service delivery requirements and the costs thereof. The results suggest that, away from the local government sector itself, structural reform may not be the vexatious issue it is often portrayed as. The implications of this are explored here.
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2016 |
Grant B, Ryan R, Martin J, 'Local governance and regional development: An introduction to the special edition of AJRS and strategic directions for research', Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, 22 2-8 (2016) In December 2015 the Australia and New Zealand Regional Science Association International (ANZRAI) held its 39th Annual Conference at the University of Technology Sydney. Prior to... [more] In December 2015 the Australia and New Zealand Regional Science Association International (ANZRAI) held its 39th Annual Conference at the University of Technology Sydney. Prior to the conference the Editorial Board of Australasian Journal of Regional Studies (AJRS) and the Executive of ANZRAI agreed to a Special Edition (SE) of the journal entitled 'Local Governance and Regional Development' to be developed and published as part of the outcomes of the conference. In this 'Introduction' the members of the ad hoc Editorial Board formed for the SE provide an account of the conference and a concise overview of the papers therein as they relate to the theme of 'Local Governance and Regional Development'. We also reflect upon the strategic directions for research in regional studies. |
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2016 |
Hastings C, Wortley L, Ryan R, Grant B, 'Community expectations for the role of local government in Regional Australia: Meeting the challenges of 'slow burn'', Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, 22 158-180 (2016) Regional Australia is confronted by specific demographic, social, economic and infrastructure challenges, which we are denoting as 'slow-burn' threats. This article inte... [more] Regional Australia is confronted by specific demographic, social, economic and infrastructure challenges, which we are denoting as 'slow-burn' threats. This article interrogates a recent national survey concerned with the value of local government to Australian communities, focusing upon differences in responses for regional and remote areas compared to those from urban capital cities. Findings indicate that regional and remote residents place more importance on local government delivering services that specifically focus on the long-term development and sustainability of the community than their urban counterparts, particularly economic and community development roles. We argue that this constitutes a demonstration of the different expectations that regional and remote communities have of local government in the face of 'slow burn' in regional and remote areas. Further, we suggest that the relationship between local governments in regional Australia and the communities they serve is usefully conceived in terms of what we denote as 'the close economy' and 'the local state'.
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2015 |
Ryan R, Woods R, 'Local government capacity in Australia', Public Policy and Administration, 14 225-248 (2015) © 2015, Kauno Technologijos Universitetas. All rights reserved. This paper analyses how effectively local government in Australia performs its functions as a key element of subnat... [more] © 2015, Kauno Technologijos Universitetas. All rights reserved. This paper analyses how effectively local government in Australia performs its functions as a key element of subnational governance. Service delivery and local democracy are identified as the core functions of local government. The analysis takes into account paradigms of public administration, democracy and management, the public organization, accountability and capacity. The concept of 'capacity' brings together many of the issues discussed in this paper. Questions of capacity relate to whether local governments are effectively performing their institutional functions, how they do so with regard to principles of good governance, and whether the dimensions of their capacity can be reformed if there was the need to meet additional demands.
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2012 | Emeljanow VE, 'Editorial', Popular Entertainment Studies, 3 1-6 (2012) [C3] | |||||||
2001 |
Rogers M, Ryan R, 'The triple bottom line for sustainable community development', Local Environment, 6 279-289 (2001) Rural communities in Australia are confronting a period of unprecedented change. They face declining commodity prices, the withdrawal of both public and private sector sen'ic... [more] Rural communities in Australia are confronting a period of unprecedented change. They face declining commodity prices, the withdrawal of both public and private sector sen'ices, such as banks and hospitals, and the closure of small businesses. Their populations are in decline, with young people leaving for the larger regional centres. Many also face a declining resource base as soils become saline and water resources are sold to areas with higher unit returns. This paper presents a framework for sustainable community development based on emerging ideas of performance auditing and the development of progress indicators. The triple bottom line community audit approach is recast for the community level, measuring performance on improved community wellbeing, reduced environmental impact and increased economic vitality. Rural communities need to redefine their future. A sustainability focus offers a way fonvard. © 2001 Taylor & Francis Ltd.
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Show 15 more journal articles |
Conference (27 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2018 | Ryan R, 'Evaluating Public Value', Edinburgh, UK (2018) | |||||||
2018 | Ryan R, 'Putting Decision Making on Asset Management in the Hands of the Community - Case Study of a Citizen s Panel on Roads Service Levels' (2018) | |||||||
2018 | Ryan R, 'What Matters About Connection to Place: Differences Between Inner and Outer Metropolitan Suburbs', Toronto, Canada (2018) | |||||||
2015 |
Bligh G, Roberta R, Alex L, 'Dirty hands and commissions of inquiry: An examination of the independent local government review Panel in NSW, Australia', Research in Ethical Issues in Organizations (2015) © 2015 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited. We utilise the problem of dirty hands to consider the ethical dimensions of commissions of inquiry, particularly commissions of inquiry... [more] © 2015 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited. We utilise the problem of dirty hands to consider the ethical dimensions of commissions of inquiry, particularly commissions of inquiry conducted for the purposes of public policy. The Independent Local Government Review Panel (ILGRP) in NSW is used as an example for the purposes of discussion. Four questions endemic to considerations of dirty hands are derived from Coady (2014). The framework affords various insights into the ethical terrain of this particular inquiry and those undertaken for the purposes of public policy more generally. We argue that commissions of this type and the ILGRP in particular cannot be labelled examples of dirty hands and that the concept of determinatio from the work of St Thomas Aquinas sheds light as to the nature of moral claims around commissions. We also argue that a fruitful analysis is afforded by Wallis' (2013) analytic framework of the 'logic of fateful choices faced by the leaders of commissions of inquiry'. Nevertheless, confusion surrounding the nature and types of inquiries is partially responsible for accusations of their ethical incoherence.
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Show 24 more conferences |
Other (17 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
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2018 | Lawrie AJ, Ryan R, 'Roles and responsibilities of Mayors, Councillors and General Managers in NSW', : Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development (2018) | ||
2018 | Drew J, Ryan R, 'Local Government Association of South Australia - Rate Capping in SA 18094', (2018) | ||
2018 | Ryan R, 'Role of Local Government in regional Economic Development', (2018) | ||
Show 14 more others |
Report (86 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
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2019 | Ryan R, Duxson S, Tindale A, 'Livingstone Shire Council Whole of Community Plan', Livingstone Shire Council (2019) | ||
2018 | French AN, Goodall A, Furby B, Haywood P, Ryan R, Rose K, 'Evaluation of the Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) Program Final Report', The NSW Ministry of Health (2018) | ||
2018 | Le Mauff S, Ryan R, Teteris C, Lawrie AJ, Newman V, 'Port Stephens Council - Citizens Panel in Nelson Bay 18076', Port Stephens Council (2018) | ||
Show 83 more reports |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 5 |
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Total funding | $276,246 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20205 grants / $276,246
Western Sydney City Deal Evaluation Framework$91,500
Funding body: Campbelltown City Council
Funding body | Campbelltown City Council |
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Project Team | Professor Roberta Ryan |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2020 |
GNo | G2000955 |
Type Of Funding | C2210 - Aust StateTerritoryLocal - Own Purpose |
Category | 2210 |
UON | Y |
Great Koala National Park Economic Study and Business Case$73,000
Funding body: Bellingen Shire Council
Funding body | Bellingen Shire Council |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Roberta Ryan |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2020 |
GNo | G2000828 |
Type Of Funding | C2220 - Aust StateTerritoryLocal - Other |
Category | 2220 |
UON | Y |
Impact Evaluation Study$61,746
Funding body: Asian Productivity Organization
Funding body | Asian Productivity Organization |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Roberta Ryan |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2020 |
GNo | G2000703 |
Type Of Funding | C3211 - International For profit |
Category | 3211 |
UON | Y |
Economic Diversification: Research Implementation Road Map$30,000
Funding body: Muswellbrook Shire Council
Funding body | Muswellbrook Shire Council |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Roberta Ryan |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2020 |
GNo | G2000853 |
Type Of Funding | C2210 - Aust StateTerritoryLocal - Own Purpose |
Category | 2210 |
UON | Y |
The Pulse 2020 Research$20,000
Funding body: Greater Sydney Commission
Funding body | Greater Sydney Commission |
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Project Team | Professor Roberta Ryan |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2020 |
GNo | G2000702 |
Type Of Funding | C2210 - Aust StateTerritoryLocal - Own Purpose |
Category | 2210 |
UON | Y |
Research Projects
Sydney Water: Social Research – community attitudes to water sources 2020 -
Sydney Water: Social Research – staff attitudes to drinking water sources 2020 -
Sydney Water: Policy Advisor- water supply options – appointed as socio political expert 2019 -
City of Sydney: Social Research – benchmarking measures of apartment sustainability in the City of Sydney 2017
Edit
News
Report: Australia’s first national park for koalas projected to generate $1.2 billion in economic output and 9,800+ jobs
February 2, 2021
Professor Roberta Ryan
Position
Professor
Office PVC - Human and Social Futures
College of Human and Social Futures
Contact Details
roberta.ryan@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | +61 402209896 |
Mobile | +61 402209896 |
Office
Location | NU Building City Campus , |
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