Project Leadership in a Changing World

The John Grill Institute for Project Leadership delivers world-leading executive education and research, drawing on expertise across the University of Sydney, and working with senior project directors across project-based sectors in Australia and internationally.

The focus of the Institute is on:

Executive Education – with our flagship Executive Leadership in Major Projects program and a suite of shorter courses for leaders and senior leaders.

Project Leadership in Changing World – addressing the dynamic context of project leadership, with research on three themes: 1. Digital transformation, 2. Organisational dynamics, and 3. Projects for sustainable, resilient and just futures. Discover our research.

Major Project Leadership Forum – set up for industry transformation, with a current focus on the infrastructure and construction industries, and working groups on productivity, collaboration and outcomes. Sign up to industry transformation.

News

Australian Major Project Highlights (May – June 2026)

Develop Global proceeds with $570 million mining projectsMining projects in Sulphur Springs and Pioneer Dome will proceed as global commodities trader, Trafigura, commits to purchasing copper, zine and lithium from them.Read more Extra $420 million has been committed to to Queensland’s CopperString Transmission LinkThis major project is aimed at linking the State’s north and north-west regions with the National Electricity Market. Read…
How AI steals our thinking – and how to steal it back

by Dr Bradley Hastings I remember my shock when a student submitted an essay that that included their entire conversation with AI. Somewhere between the chatbot and the submission portal, they had copied across not just the answer but the prompts they used to generate it. They’re far from alone. Many of my students have stopped trying to disguise AI’s work at all, leaving in the…
Australian Major Project Highlights (April – May 2026)

Annie Gas Field Project near 12 Apostles approved The Victorian Government has approved an offshore gas project in the Otway Basin, which is expected to deliver gas from 2028 and could supply more than one-third of the state’s current annual gas demand.Read more Australian Government announces $10 billion supply packages for fuel and fertiliserFuel companies…
Major Projects Collaboration Toolkit

Abstract The research is unambiguous – more collaborative organisations are better performing. Our Major Projects Collaboration Toolkit is the product of a year-long engagement with industry experts and a deep dive into the research on the factors that enable positive collaboration. Developed by the Major Projects Leadership Forum Collaboration Working Group alongside our colleagues at…
‘Major Project Collaboration: More than Words?’ Panel Discussion

On Tuesday 18 November 2026, the John Grill Institute for Project Leadership in collaboration with the Institute for Collaborative Working Australia held a panel discussion exploring collaboration in major projects and how it can help leaders unlock productivity within their organisations and teams. The discussion was led by Peter Colacino (Principal, Modifica Advisory) and featured…