ACU Researcher

Dr Marzena Baker

Head of Discipline – HRM, Management & OHSE
Senior Lecturer, Peter Faber Business School

Areas of expertise: leadership and governance; workforce adaptation and capability; project governance and project-based organisations; organisational policy design and evaluation; evidence-based decision-making; strategic change and organisational performance; workforce participation, gender equality and pay equity; women’s careers and leadership; diversity, inclusion and neurodiversity; flexible work and work design; construction, engineering and infrastructure industries

Phone: +61 7 3623 7639

Email: [email protected]

Location: ACU Brisbane Campus

HDR Supervisor accreditation status: HDR Supervisor (Full)

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4108-5325

Dr Marzena Baker is a Senior Lecturer in Management and Head of Discipline for Human Resource Management, Management and Occupational Health, Safety and Environment at Australian Catholic University. Her research focuses on leadership, governance, workforce capability and organisational practices in complex, project-based and professional environments. She investigates how organisations design and implement policies, governance arrangements and leadership practices that influence workforce participation, performance and adaptation to change, particularly in construction, engineering and infrastructure contexts.

Dr Baker publishes in management, human resource management, project management, construction and engineering journals, including Human Resource Management Journal, International Journal of Project Management, British Journal of Management, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Journal of Management in Engineering, Employee Relations and Personnel Review. Her research combines empirical investigation with practical relevance for organisations, industry and policy, with a particular emphasis on equality and inclusion, career pathways, professional capability and decision-making in complex settings.

She is an alumna of Queensland University of Technology, where she completed her PhD and Master of Business degrees, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland. Prior to joining Australian Catholic University, Dr Baker was a Lecturer in Project Management at the University of Sydney.

At Australian Catholic University, Dr Baker leads the Human Resource Management, Management and Occupational Health, Safety and Environment discipline, providing academic leadership in curriculum, teaching quality, academic staffing and coordination across campuses. She is also involved in postgraduate research supervision, applied industry research and external partnerships, including evaluation of organisational programs and workforce development initiatives.

Before entering academia, Dr Baker held senior corporate roles for over 25 years, leading consumer research, marketing, and strategic communication projects across fast-moving consumer goods, construction, and property development sectors. This industry experience continues to inform her applied research, teaching, and engagement with industry and professional bodies.

Her current research includes leading an ACU-funded 2026 study on building workforce adaptation capability in the construction, engineering and infrastructure industries. Related collaborations examine project governance and governmentality, the role of credentials and professional associations in project careers, and women’s pathways into traditionally male-dominated industries. She also contributes to practice-focused evaluation and knowledge exchange with community and professional organisations.

Select publications

Published journal articles:

• Ali, M., Baker, M., Tumpa, R. J., & Hassett, E. (2026). Exploring motivational factors and turnover intention in the construction industry. European Management Journal (online first, 28 August 2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2026.08.008
• Baker, M., Ali, M., & French, E. (2026). Role of board in promoting work–life initiatives: Implications for organizational gender diversity and financial performance. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 152(3), 04026001. https://doi.org/10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-17450
• Ali, M., Baker, M., Grabarski, M. K., & Konrad, A. (2026). A study of linkages among leadership gender diversity, pay equity practices and financial performance. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 45(9), 35–52 (published online 9 December 2025; issue dated December 2026). https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-03-2025-0189
• Baker, M., Ali, M., Grabarski, M. K., & Konrad, A. (2025). Influence of women in leadership on gender-equality, work–life, and domestic violence coping practices: The role of chief executive officer gender. Human Resource Management Journal, 35(4), 1032–1046. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12611
• Baker, M., Ali, M., Hassett, E., & Tumpa, R.J. (2025). Tapping the Untapped Resource to Address Construction Skills Shortages: Perceptions of Australian Women Career Changers and Construction Women. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 151 (4), 04025006.https://doi.org/10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-15382
• Ali, M., Baker, M., Grabarski, M. K., & Islam, R. (2025). A Study of Inclusive Supervisory Behaviors, Workplace Social Inclusion, and Turnover Intention in the Context of Employee Age. Employee Relations, 47 (9), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-04-2024-0252
• Hackman, D. C., Pollack, J., & Baker, M. (2024). Individual perceptions of complex projects: A window into project team and stakeholder mental models. International Journal of Project Management, 102603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2024.102603
• Ali, M., Grabarski, M.K., & Baker, M. (2024), An exploratory study of benefits and challenges of neurodivergent employees: roles of knowing neurodivergents and neurodiversity practices. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, 43 (2), 243-267. https://doi.org/10.1108/edi-03-2023-0092
• Baker, M., French, E., Ali, M., & Tootoonchy, M. (2024). Influence of Work-Life Programs on Women's Representation and Organizational Outcomes: Insights from Engineering and Construction. Journal of Management in Engineering, 40(3), 04024005. https://doi.org/10.1061/JMENEA.MEENG-5715
• Baker, M., & Clegg, S. (2023). Policies and practices of gender-based equality and diversity in Australian project-based organizations. Project Leadership and Society, 100087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plas.2023.100087
• Baker, M., Ali, M., & French, E. (2023). Investigating how women leaders and managers support other women's entrance and advancement in construction and engineering. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 149(2), 04022166. https://doi.org/10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-12399 Editor's Choice Collection.
• Baker, M., Ali, M., & French, E. (2021). Leadership Diversity and its Influence on Equality Initiatives and Performance: Insights for Construction Management. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 147(10), Article number: 04021123. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0002147
• Baker, M., French, E., & Ali, M. (2021). Insights into ineffectiveness of gender equality and diversity initiatives in project-based organizations. Journal of Management in Engineering, 37(3), 04021013. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000893 Editor's Choice Collection.
• Baker, M., Ali, M., & French, E. (2019). The impact of women's representation on performance in project-based and non-project-based organizations. International Journal of Project Management, 37(7), 872-883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2019.06.001
• Baker, M., Ali, M., & French, E. (2019). Effectiveness of gender equality initiatives in project-based organizations in Australia. Australian Journal of Management, 44(3), 425-442. https://doi.org/10.1177/0312896218805809

Delivered conference papers:

• Langdon, R., Ali, M., Baker, M., Tumpa, R. J., & Ferdous, T. (2026). A systematic literature review of work-life programs, work-life balance, and work outcomes in the Australian architecture, engineering, and construction industries [Conference paper]. European Academy of Management (EURAM) Annual Conference 2026.
• Ali, M., Baker, M., Tumpa, R. J., & Hassett, E. (2025). Exploring personal and industry work values of women in construction and engineering [Conference paper]. 25th European Academy of Management (EURAM) Annual Conference 2025, p. 251.
• French, E., Baker, M., Ali, M., & Islam, R. (2024). Gender equality in Male Dominated Organizations: Leadership is the key [Paper presentation]. In European Academy of Management (EURAM) Annual Conference, Bath, UK.
• Baker, M., Ali, M., & Hassett, E. (2024). An Exploration of Attraction Factors, Barriers to Working in Construction, and Factors for Leaving Construction [Paper presentation]. In 17th Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) International Conference, Seville, Spain.
• Ali, M., Baker, M., Grabarski, M., & Islam, R. (2024). Insights into Inclusive Supervisory Behaviors, Workplace Social Inclusion, and Turnover Intention in the Context of Employee Age" [Paper presentation]. In 17th Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) International Conference, Seville, Spain.
• Baker, M. (2023). How Effective is Implementation of Gender-based Equality and Diversity Practices in Project-based Organizations? In 2023 European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference, Ireland.

Research reports and industry outputs:

• Tumpa, R. J., Baker, M., Ghanbaripour, A., & Sunindijo, R. Y. (2026). Enhancing infrastructure project governance practices and strategies to engage stakeholders in creating and distributing social value [Research report]. Project Governance and Controls Symposium (PGCS). https://pgcs.org.au/research/published-papers/

Projects

• ACU Research Seed Funding (2026) – Chier Investigator
• Building Workforce Adaptation Capability in Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Industries. Qualitative industry research examining organisational adaptation and workforce capability.
• Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project (DP26, commencing 2026) – Chief Investigator
  Project Governance and Governmentality as Collaborative Challenges.
• Project Governance and Controls Symposium (PGCS) Academic Research Grant (2024) - Chief Investigator
  Enhancing Infrastructure Project Governance Practices and Strategies to Engage Stakeholders in Creating and Distributing Social Value.
• Project Management Institute (PMI) Research Scholarship Grant (2022) - Chief Investigator
  Influence of Gender Equality on Organisational Performance in Project Organisations: Is Employee Engagement the Key?

Awards

• 2026 EURAM Annual Conference, Kristiansand, Norway — PMI Best Paper Award for “Role of Project Governance in Shaping Social Value in Infrastructure Projects” (with Roksana Jahan Tumpa and Stewart Clegg).
• 2026 IPMA Global Research Award — Finalist for “Tapping the Untapped Resource to Address Construction Skills Shortages: Perceptions of Australian Women Career Changers and Construction Women”.
• 2024 FLB Executive Dean's Learning and Teaching Innovation and Impact grant.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion International Conference (2024) – Emerald Conference Best Paper Award: Insights into Inclusive Supervisory Behaviors, Workplace Social Inclusion, and Turnover Intention in the Context of Employee Age.
• EURAM 2023. Most Inspirational Paper Award: How Effective is Implementation of Gender-based Equality and Diversity Practices in Project-based Organizations?
• JCEM Best Paper Award 2022. Leadership Diversity and Its Influence on Equality Initiatives and Performance: Insights for Construction Management. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.
• Early Career Session research competition winner 2021. Ineffectiveness of gender equality and diversity initiatives in project-based organisations. - "Project Leadership for a Changing World" International Symposium, John Grill Institute for Project Leadership.
• Editor's Choice Collection 2021. Insights into ineffectiveness of gender equality and diversity initiatives in project-based organizations. Journal of Management in Engineering.
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Appointments and Affiliations

• Member, Scientific Advisory Council, Polish Consulate (appointed June 2025)
• Fellow, Advance HE (formerly Higher Education Academy), UK 
• Member, Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) 
• Member, European Academy of Management (EURAM) 
• Member, Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) 
• Member, Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) 
• Member, National Association of Women in Construction 
• Former Member, State Committee, Australian Marketing Institute 
• Former Member, State Diversity Committee, Property Council of Australia