Dr. Vanessa Mcdermott

Biography

Vanessa McDermott is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Business at UNSW Canberra, with a PhD in Sociology from the Australian National University. Her work focuses on governance and decision-making within organizations, examining how strategic frameworks impact behavior change initiatives and perceptions of legitimacy and accountability. She emphasizes the importance of understanding governance frameworks that underpin risk and compliance burdens, highlighting their contribution to social inequalities. Her research includes evaluations of programs that seek to enhance community well-being and worker safety, particularly in relation to anti-doping policies in elite sports and regulatory responses within the civil construction sector. Since joining UNSW in 2020, McDermott has continued her investigations into organizational culture and corporate governance, producing evaluations that inform policy and improve community outcomes. Her previous role included being a Research Fellow at the Energy Pipeline Cooperative Research Centre. She has been involved in various projects, including funding initiatives for the Australian Department of Defence and the National Mental Health Commission. A committed educator, McDermott teaches postgraduate project management, leveraging her extensive experience in addressing performance-enhancing drug use and sustainable practices in diverse contexts.

Research Interests