I commenced as the Chair in Social Investment and Impact and Director of the UWA Centre for Social Impact (CSI UWA) at the UWA Business School in December 2010.

CSI UWA is a Centre of the UWA Business School and part of a national collaboration with The University of New South Wales, Flinders University and Swinburne University of Technology. Together, the four universities form the Centre for Social Impact, which takes a systems approach to developing innovative solutions to the biggest social challenges today, with a vision for a better Australia tomorrow.

The CSI UWA is a catalyst for change in our world, creating and delivering education that transforms, research that informs best practice, and public engagement that inspires and mobilises change makers.

The CSI UWA is concerned with the design, financing, provision, and leadership of social programs and with the assessment and evaluation of the social impact of programs. Its key aim is to develop the research evidence base around actions that create beneficial social impact and developing policy and community dialogue around that impact. Social impact refers to all forms of significant change experienced by individuals and communities. This includes income and labour market impacts, education impacts, social inclusion and relationship changes, mental and physical health effects, and overall impact on quality of life and well-being.

The CSI UWA introduced the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact (GCSI) in 2011. The four units in the Graduate Certificate examine modern theory and practice across the four pillars of work of the UWA Centre for Social Impact, namely, social impact assessment, social investment, social leadership and social innovation and enterprise. These units also form part of the Flexible MBA at UWA. In 2015, an undergraduate unit Changing the World: Social Innovation, Finance and Enterprise was introduced. This unit provides an introduction to the concepts and practices from the field of social impact, inspiring students across all disciplines to make a difference in their own unique ways. The unit highlights how innovation and entrepreneurship are solving major global social and economic challenges such as hunger, poverty, and homelessness and asks whether we are achieving social progress in Australia and internationally. It considers the rise of social entrepreneurship, the shift to a focus on collaboration, and the role of corporate social responsibility and impact investing in creating new opportunities for generating positive social impact.

Around 100 research projects have been undertaken or are being undertaken since the Centre was established.

I have a strong research record combining academic publications (102 refereed academic publications) as well as around 100 non-traditional research publications across a very broad range of fields including labour economics, social impact measurement and evaluation, the history of economic thought, social baseline analysis and evaluation of community investment programs in the corporate sector, and the economics of social policy. Total external income received over my career is $16,229,142.

I have made significant contributions to the analysis of social and economic outcomes and social impact and the effectiveness of programs and interventions in a number of fields including poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and housing.

A feature of my work is that I actively engage in policy and industry discussions and seek to build knowledge and debate around important issues in a variety of domains. Over the last eleven years as Director of the CSI UWA, I have established an extensive program of public lectures, workshops, breakfasts and conferences that have brought the University to the WA and Australian corporate, NFP and government sectors. he initiated the CSI UWA Social Impact Festival that reached over 4000 people through a four-week program of events.

In 2019 the Social Impact festival was transformed by the Danjoo Koorliny initiative. Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together Towards 2029 and Beyond is an Aboriginal-led, long-term, large-scale systems change initiative to help all of us – be it in Western Australia, the rest of Australia, or around the world – walk together as Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to co-create a better future for all towards 2029 (200 years of colonisation in Perth) and beyond.  

I have widespread teaching experience across all domains in economics, social impact and evaluation and has developed and taught units in the management and social and public policy fields and most recently implemented the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact.

I hold a PhD in Economics from Murdoch University, an M.Ec. from UWA and a B.Ec. from Sydney University.

Position: Director of the UWA Centre for Social Impact in the UWA Business School.

Teaching: The co-ordinator of the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact since its inception in 2011. Co-ordinator of units in the GCSI. Co-ordinator of Changing the World: Social Innovation, Finance and Enterprise (BUSN1102).

Currently supervises PhD students.

Programs of research include:

• Outcomes measurement, impact and economic evaluation in the NFP sector, in social systems, and education and social policy
• Housing and homelessness
• The social purpose sector
• Poverty and wealth and income inequality
• Entrenched disadvantage and unemployment
• Philanthropic giving 

Research Grants

'Lifting the veil' on Australia's private wealth and building levers for change in high net worth philanthropic support. The Petre Foundation.2022

Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together Initiative. Lotterywest.2022

Regional Drought Resilience Planning (RDRP) Social Impacts of Drought. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.2022

Bridging the Gap – PLAN Project (Parents, Learning, Advancing, Nurturing) Evaluation.  Bridging the Gap Inc.  2021

Social Ventures Australia: Partners in Recovery Project.  CSI UNSW.  2021

A sector -wide approach to adopting and maximising the learnings from the 100 Families Project.  Lotterywest.  2021

Evaluation of the Entrypoint Outreach Program.  Centrecare Inc.  2021

Review of the Summer Response Strategy – The Shop Front and Quick Wins Project.  Hope Community Services Ltd.  2021

Academic Impact Measurement Validation and Operationalisation Project.  St John Ambulance WA.  2021

Building the Impact Story of the Safeguarding Children's Services.  Australian Childhood Foundation.  2021

Evaluation of the Aspire Social Impact Bond.  Treasurer of South Australia.  2021

Outcomes Measurement Framework: WA State Priorities.  WA Mental Health Commission.  2021

Bridging the Gap – Career Readiness for Young Parents Evaluation.  Bridging the Gap Inc.  2021

Contribution to the Regional Community Support Needs Assessment Project.  Western Australian Association for Mental Health Inc.  2021

Evaluation Framework for the City of Canning Learning City Strategy.  City of Canning.  2021

Evaluation of Wraparound Early Intervention Professional Learning.  WA Department of Education.  2021

Pulse of the For-Purpose Sector & Building Back Better (Building Back Better project) Mental Health.  CSI UNSW.  2020

Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) initiative.  .  Community Mental Health Australia Inc.  .  2020

Develop an Evidence Framework to inform the response to COVID-19 and Homelessness.  Lotterywest.  2020

National CSI Project - Pulse of the For-Purpose Sector & Building Back Better (Building Back Better Project): Funds for Pulse of the For-Purpose Sector Survey, module development and project management.  CSI UNSW.  2020

By-Name List Ending Homelessness Workshop.  UWA.  2020

Capturing and leveraging learnings from service innovation during COVID-19.  CSI UNSW.  2020

Review of Commonwealth Funded Aged Care for the Homeless.  Australian Government Department of Health:.  2020

Reconciliation during COVID-19: Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together and Caring for Everything.  CSI UNSW.  2020

Development of Zonta House’s Data Analytics and Evaluation Capabilities.  Zonta House.  2020

Understanding and measuring the impact of a Journey to Social Inclusion model modified for a cohort of young mothers and their families.  J2SI ELC Limited.  2020

National analysis of the VI-SPDAT data and the evaluation of progress under the Australian Advance to Zero programs to produce a national report and series of impact workshops.  Neami National .  2020

Ending Homelessness in Australia: Opportunities for Building Back Better from COVID-19.  CSI UNSW .  2020

No Wrong Door Homelessness Co-Design Project.  WA Department for Communities.  2020

Contributions to the Community Support Investment Options Project.  Western Australian Association for Mental Health Inc.  2020

Pilot Evaluation of a Community Legal Centre.  Legal Aid Western Australia.  2020

Measuring the Impact of Community Development Work across Local Government in Western Australia.  Local Government Professionals Australia.  2020

Evaluation Services of a short-term Case Managed Emergency Relief approach at the St Patrick's Day Centre in Fremantle.  St Patrick's Community Support Centre Limited.  2020

By Name List Ending Homelessness Workshop Research Impact Grant.  UWA Research.  2020

J2SI Data Services - Modelling of the Youth-based Journey to Social Inclusion Program.  MercyCare.  2019

Ongoing advice in relation to MercyCare's Outcomes Measurement Framework and related activities.  MercyCare.  2019

Review of Mercycare's out-of-home care services.  MercyCare.  2019

Multicultural Enterprise Development Evaluation Project.  Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre WA.  2019

Standalone report focused on homelessness in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities, in support of the report "Homelessness in Western Australia: A review of the research and statistical evidence".  WA Department for Communities.  2019

Evaluation of the Peer to Peer Parent Support Program Implementation in Busselton and Bunbury.  WA Foundation for Deaf Children.  2019

Hear of My Experience Project (the HOME Project).  WA Department of Finance.  2019

WA Alliance for Ending Homelessness Strategy: Outcomes Measurement Framework.  Lotterywest.  2018

Facilitating continuous improvement within Uniting Care West through the development of a data-driven collaborative research partnership model framework for social impact measurement.  UnitingCare West.  2018

Mentoring 2 Work Project Evaluation.  Council on the Ageing WA Inc (ex DSS).  2018

Social and Economic Impact Assessment of Christmas Island Resources on Christmas Island.  Phosphate Resources Limited.  2018

100 FamiliesWA.  Lotterywest.  2018

The research evidence on Homelessness in Western Australia.  WA Department of Communities .  2018

Try Test and Learn Fund Co-Development Services.  Department of Social Services.  2017

The State of Homelessness in Australia.  UWA Research Impact Grant.  2017

Evaluation of 50 Lives 50 Homes.  Ruah Community Services.  2016

Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage in the Pilbara and the Kimberley.  WA Department of Regional Development.  2016

Evaluation of St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne Homelessness Programs ALERT, CHOPS, The Cottage and Prague House'.  St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne.  2016

The Opportunities, Risks and Possibilities of Social Impact Investment for Housing and Homelessness.  Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute Research Grant

.  2016

Inquiry Into Social Impact Investment for Housing and Homelessness Outcomes.  Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute Research Grant.  2016

Supporting Vulnerable Households to Achieve Their Housing Goals: The Role of Impact Investment.  Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute Research Grant.  2016

Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) Mark II 2015 to 2018.  Sacred Heart Mission.  2015

Additional funding 2017 and 2018 Inquiry into the Funding and Delivery of Programs to Reduce Homelessness.  Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute Research Grant.  2015

Evaluation of St Vincent's Hospital Homeless Health Services.  University of Western Sydney ex St Vincent's Hospital.  2015

The Funding and Delivery of Homelessness Services - Case Study Evidence.  Swinburne University ex Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2015

Who Supports the Homeless? An Exploration of the Funding of Australian Homelessness Services.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2015

The Social Return on Education & Training SRET - Researching the Development of Leadership Governance & Management Competence in the Australian Non For Profit NFP Sector.  Origin Foundation.  2014

A Research Program Supporting Development & Growth in the Community Sector in Western Australia.  Bankwest Foundation.  2014

Facilitating Capacity Building in the Australian Not-For-Profit Sector through Improved Work Learning.  ARC Linkage Projects.  2013

Facilitating Capacity Building in the Australian Not-For-Profit Sector through Improved Work Learning.  Ernst & Young.  2013

The cost effectiveness of sustaining tenancies of formerly homeless clients with high needs.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant

.  2013

(UNSW+UWA) Understanding decision making in the not-for-profit housing sector: longitudinal and comparative components.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2013

The Big Builds Research Project.  Anglicare WA ex WA Department for Child Protection & Family Support.  2013

Evaluation of Platform 70 Project.  University of New South Wales ex NSW Department of Family & Community Services Housing.  2013

BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina Social Baseline Study 2012.  BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina.  2012

Understanding Social Impact Bonds.  Lotterywest.  2012

Time Series Modelling and Forecasting of the WA Prisoner Population.  WA Department of Corrective Services.  2012

Scoping Study: Small Business Alternative Dispute Resolution Service.  WA Small Business Development Corporation.  2012

Michael Project Research Study.  Murdoch University ex Mission Australia.  2012

Evaluation of Horizon House Service.  St John of God Health Care.  2012

 Sustainable Mining Development - leveraging regional mining investments for socio-economic development.  International Mining for Development Centre ex AusAID.  2012

Understanding Decision Making in the Not For Profit Housing Sector - Longitudinal & Comparative Components.  University of New South Wales ex Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute.  2012

BHP Billiton Iron ore Social Baseline Study Phase 2.  BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd.  2012

A cost-benefit Argument based on Output and Outcomes Data from the Geelong Project (Stage 1).  Swinburne University of Technology.  2012

Refugees, Housing and Social Inclusion in Australia (+RMIT).  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2011

Understanding leadership, strategy and organisational dynamics in the not-for-profit housing sector.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2011

Evaluation of the Inner City Youth at Risk Project & the Inner City Assertive Outreach Service.  NSW Health.  2011

The Misha Project.  Mission Australia.  2011

Social Enterprise in Western Australia: Structures, Processes and Activity.  WA Department of Premier & Cabinet.  2011

The Social and Economic Impact of Indigenous Employment and Indigenous Business Activity.  BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd.  2011

BHP Billiton Ore Handling Environmental Social Baseline Study.  BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd.  2011

The Cost of Homelessness and the Net Benefit of Homelessness Programs: A National Study.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2010

The Costs of Youth Homelessness in Australia.  Australian Research Council – Linkage Projects Grant LP0991378.  2009

Homelessness and Services and Systems Integration.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2009

Social Inclusion through Community Embedded, Socially Supported University Education.  Australian Research Council – Linkage Projects Grant LP0989490.  2009

The Michael Project.  Mission Australia .  2008

Intergenerational Homelessness.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2008

Support Services for People with Intellectual Disability: The Cost of Meeting and Not Meeting the Need.  Australian Research Council – Linkage Projects Grant LP0882673.  2007

Sustaining At-Risk Indigenous Tenancies.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2007

The Cost-Effectiveness of Homelessness Programs.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2006

National Research Venture: Housing Assistance and Non-shelter Outcomes - Stage 1 Project B.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2004

Indigenous Access to mainstream Public and Community Housing.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2003

A Microsimulation model of the Australian Housing Market with application to Commonwealth and State Policy Initiatives.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2001

A Systematic Review of Housing Assistance and Non-Shelter Outcomes.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2002

What Drives Housing Outcomes in Australia? Understanding the Role of Aspirations, Household Formation, Economic Incentives and Labour Market Interactions.  Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research Grant.  2002

The Relationship Between Social Security Payments and Labour Market Outcomes.  Department of Social Security Labour Research Grants.  1998

The Growth of Part-time and Casual Work in the Youth Labour Market and the Implications for Training Arrangements DEET.  WALMRC and NILS.  1994

Underemployment and Immigrants.  Bureau of Immigration and Population Research.  1994

A sector -wide approach to adopting and maximising the learnings from the 100 Families Project

Evaluation of the Entrypoint Outreach Program

Building the Impact Story of the Safeguarding Children's Services

Evaluation of the Aspire Social Impact Bond

Outcomes Measurement Framework: WA State Priorities

Evaluation of Wraparound Early Intervention Professional Learning

Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) initiative.

Develop an Evidence Framework to inform the response to COVID-19 and Homelessness

Review of Commonwealth Funded Aged Care for the Homeless

Development of Zonta House’s Data Analytics and Evaluation Capabilities

National analysis of the VI-SPDAT data and the evaluation of progress under the Australian Advance to Zero programs

Ending Homelessness in Australia: Opportunities for Building Back Better from COVID-19

WA Alliance for Ending Homelessness Strategy: Outcomes Measurement Framework

100 FamiliesWA

The journey to Social Inclusion Randomised Control Trial

Co-ordinator and Lecturer in the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact 

MGMT5514 Demonstrating Social Impact

MGMT5516 Social Impact: Entrepreneurs and Social Innovation

MGMT5517 Leadership for Social Impact

MGMT5518 Social Investment and Philanthropy

Coordinator and lectutrer

BUSN2102 Changing the World: Social Innovation, Finance and Enterprise