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Professor Dean Lusher

Professor, Innovation Studies
PhD, University of Melbourne, Australia; Bachelor of Arts, University of Melbourne, Australia

Biography

Dean Lusher is social network analysist and a Professor of Innovation Studies at Swinburne’s Centre for Transformative Innovation. Dean is a member of the Social Network Research Laboratory, a world-leading group in statistical models for social networks. His expertise is specifically in the theory and application of statistical network models. Dean's applied research focuses on social and technological innovation, organisational culture, learning and education, and network effectiveness. Dean has conducted network research with the Australian Footall League (AFL), Boeing, CSIRO, Department of Health and Human Services Victoria, Department of Premier and Cabinet Victoria, Siemens, UAP, VicHealth and a variety of schools and community groups.

Dean was a founding member of the Australian Network for Social Network Analysis (ANSNA). He was also Chair of the Organising Committee for Sunbelt 2022 International Social Networks Conference (12-16 July 2022, Cairns, Australia), the world's premier conference on social network analysis. Dean is a founder of SNA Toolbox, a Swinburne start-up company.

Research interests

Innovation; Social network analysis; Organisational culture

PhD candidate and honours supervision

Higher degrees by research

Accredited to supervise Masters & Doctoral students as Principal Supervisor.

PhD topics and outlines

Networked innovation: How do social networks influence innovation performance? The role of networks is crucial in understanding how the complex social enterprise of innovation is implemented, managed and delivers a successful commercial outcome. This can involve not only networks between people but also between organisations.

Fields of Research

  • Strategy, Management And Organisational Behaviour - 350700
  • Sociology And Social Studies Of Science And Technology - 441007

Teaching areas

Social network analysis

Awards

  • 2016, International, Harrison White Book Award, Mathematical Sociology Section, American Sociology Association
  • 2013, National, ARC Future Fellowship, Australian Research Council
  • 2011, International, i2 Citation Award (Most cited paper in an INSNA publication for preceding 5 years), International Network of Social Network Analysis (INSNA)
  • 2010, National, ARC Postdoctoral Research Fellow Industry (APDI), Australian Research Council

Further information

Publications

Also published as: Lusher, Dean; Lusher, D.
This publication listing is provided by Swinburne Research Bank. If you are the owner of this profile, you can update your publications using our online form.

Recent research grants awarded

  • 2021: Evaluating the effectiveness of a social entrepreneurial network *; Social Enterprise Network VIC Funding
  • 2020: Coordinating Innovation in Knowledge-Based Multinational Organisations *; ARC Linkage Projects Scheme
  • 2020: Social Network Analysis of Alumni for Kiribati *; Australian Council for Educational Research
  • 2020: Targeted Interventions of Contact Networks: A Network analytics approach for reducing COVID-19 spread *; Department of Health and Human Services Fund Scheme
  • 2020: The Optimise Study: Optimising Isolation, Quarantine and Distancing for COVID-19 *; Burnet Institute
  • 2020: Wellbeing, masculinity and social status in schools *; Brighton Grammar School
  • 2019: A community of practice for teachers of students with refugee backgrounds: A network approach and intervention *; Teachers Health Foundation
  • 2019: A Social Network Analysis (SNA) of Collaboration Part 2 - Role of Brokers *; Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
  • 2019: Creating Industry 4.0 Networks by Empowering Higher Apprentices as Change Agents *; Siemens
  • 2019: Innovation Across Boundaries: Social Knowledge Network Pilot Study *; Department of Premier & Cabinet Victoria
  • 2019: UAP Across Boundaries *; UAP Company Pty Ltd
  • 2018: ARC Training Centre for the Chemical Industries *; ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
  • 2017: A Social Network Analysis (SNA) of Collaboration (Swinburne-CSIRO Strategic Relationship) *; Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
  • 2016: Joined Up: Social Network Analysis of the Huon Valley (Tasmania) Service Network System *; Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania
  • 2015: Collaborative Design Best Practice: A pilot study examining trust, culture and geographic distance in multi-unit country design projects *; Boeing Australia Ltd
  • 2014: Participation versus performance: managing (dis)ability, gender and cultural diversity in junior sport *; ARC Linkage Projects Scheme
  • 2014: Tracking Infrastructure for Social Media Analysis (TrISMA) *; ARC Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Scheme - For funding commencing in 2014
  • 2013: Complex Ties: Investigating the Role of Networks in the Commercialisation of Public Research *; ARC Future Fellowships
  • 2011: Assessing the Australian Footballs Leagues Racial and Religious Vilification Laws to promote Community Harmony, Multiculturalism and Reconciliation *; ARC Linkage Projects Scheme
  • 2010: Bushfires, social connectedness and mental health *; ARC Linkage Projects Scheme

* Chief Investigator


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