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John Grill Institute for Project Leadership

Shaping the next century of projects

We're advancing breakthrough research into project management and leadership across the areas of governance and methodology, social processes and sustainability in projects, and networks, data and visualisation.

The John Grill Institute for Project Leadership is a global leader in rigorous research that rethinks the many ways we conceive, lead, and benefit from projects.

It is focused on changing the project ecology by transcending industry boundaries as well as both opening avenues for communication and creating opportunities to learn from each other.

Furthermore, it also serves as a safe space for industry and government to come together and address the issues that stop our partners from gaining the full value from the projects they invest in – issues that are often difficult to discuss without a trusted forum.

Our research

In a rapidly changing and uncertain world, projects are becoming the way that work is done.

However, the rate of underperformance of projects is uncomfortably high, as is the flow-on effect of wasted time, money, and social capital invested.

Our diverse field of research aims to explore the reasons behind these phenomena, many of which can largely be attributed to increasing project complexity, and a limited human capacity to make decisions under uncertainty.

Circular stairwell

Governance and methodology

We’re using systems thinking, complex systems theory, and change management to increase adaptability, and suit oversight to uncertainty to challenge the traditional model of project management.

Circular data science cluster

Networks, data, and visualisation

We’re illustrating the importance of data visualisation to understand otherwise unnoticed dynamics by analysing projects as social networks to demonstrate the impact of social interaction on projects and performance.

Red stairwell

Social processes in projects

We’re exploring how projects succeed or fail as social activities by examining the complex interplay between the team, the delivery organisation, the client and stakeholders.

Red building walls and the sky

Sustainability in projects

We’re pioneering methods to improve on humanitarian, sustainability, and conservation project outcomes.

Our people

Academic staff

Professor Lynn Crawford

Associate Professor Julien Pollack

Dr Fatima Afzal

Dr Marzena Baker

Dr Louis Taborda

Dr Shahadat Uddin

Learning facilitators

Mr Michael Curtin

Professor Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld

Ms Silvia Damiano

Ms Jane Lowther

Administration

Tamara Kirby, School Manager

Ms Christine Colman, Project Officer

Ms Ana Skara, Administration Officer

Advisory board

Mr John Grill AO

Professor Stephen Garton

Dr Stuart McGill

Dr Ken Henry AC

Mr Kevin McCann AM

Professor Clinton Free

Professor Kim Rasmussen

Collaborate with us

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School of Project Management

Discover our expertise

Centre Director

Associate Professor Julien Pollack

Academic profile

John Grill AO

John Grill AO

Alumni, BSc(1966) BE(Civil)(1968)

"I will build new research and education capability in the realm of projects and leadership."

John Grill Institute for Project Leadership

Address

John Grill Institute for Project Leadership, Building K06A, Level 2, 21 Ross St, Forest Lodge NSW 2037

Get directions

Latest news

19 January 2021

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What's the most effective way to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine?

Researchers compared different vaccines and vaccination strategies using game theory and network analysis, arriving at several scenarios which could be used to influence vaccine policy in Australia and globally.

12 January 2021

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Where does untreated wastewater go in developing countries?

14 billion litres of untreated wastewater is created each day in developing countries, but we don't know where it all goes. Humanitarian engineer, Dr Jacqueline Thomas explains.

17 December 2020

Machine and robotics laboratory at University of Sydney Faculty of Engineering

Engineers awarded for ongoing research excellence

Ongoing excellence in the fields of neutron science, sustainable engineering and materials engineering have seen three researchers from the Faculty of Engineering honoured on the global stage.

18 November 2020

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The graduate degree unravelling the complexity of the unexpected

Gain the skills and technical understanding to deal with the complex challenges posed by our interconnected world and rapidly changing technology, such as pandemics, climate change, population growth, and security with our Master of Complex Systems.

12 November 2020

Same storm, different boats: a reflection on COVID-19 models

In March, a group of researchers from the Centre for Complex Systems modelled how varying rates of social distancing could affect the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across a very diverse Australian population.

22 September 2020

Who is the weakest link? Understanding global supply chains

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused kinks in the movement of goods and services around the globe, but how important a role do multinational companies play in local economies and supply chains?

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Could the world soon be on the move again in the wake of COVID-19? Theoretical modelling by the University of Sydney's Centre for Complex Systems has shown that populations typically disperse following major global crises, including contagions.

How to control an influenza outbreak without a specific vaccine

A group of pandemic modelling experts from the University of Sydney's Faculty of Engineering have published new research that simulated viral influenza outbreaks to examine the efficacy of pandemic interventions in the absence of a tailored vaccine.

Chess pieces

COVID-19 pandemic set to peak in several days in Australia

New University of Sydney research has revealed that Australia is nearing the COVID-19 pandemic peak. It also showed that 8,000 - 10,000 people are expected to fall ill with the virus over the course of the pandemic.

Figurines of humans representing social networks

Greater social distancing could curb COVID-19 in 13 weeks

A University of Sydney data study from the Faculty of Engineering has revealed that social distancing must be adopted by at least 80 percent of the Australian population to reduce the spread of COVID-19.