Improving Public Sector Integrity Through Action Research 

The ANZSOG Integrity Action Research Project is a collaborative initiative between ANZSOG, the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC), and researchers from the University of Sydney, led by Dr Assel Mussagulova and Prof. Susan Goodwin.

This project addresses the critical need to build and sustain pro-integrity cultures within public sector organisations. Recent inquiries like the Robodebt Royal Commission, the Coaldrake Review in Queensland, and the 2019 Thodey Review of the Australian Public Service have highlighted the urgent need for practical interventions that embed integrity deeply into organisational culture and everyday practices, moving beyond compliance to genuine ethical commitment at all levels across the sector.

The project is applying an innovative action research methodology, an iterative and collaborative process that focuses on planning, action, reflection, and continuous improvement. Action research involves researchers working alongside practitioners within their work environments, enabling them to systematically reflect on and refine their practices to foster a deeper organisational commitment to integrity. Scaffolding how to think about innovation and change in everyday practices, how to decide what counts as evidence of change, and how to organise and report back that evidence of change are critical ingredients in the action research approach.

Four communities of practice have been established within Victorian Government departments. Each community of practice is working with researchers to co-design interventions aimed at enhancing integrity practices, informed by a review of literature on ‘promising practices’ categorising integrity interventions by key features of behaviour, systems and context. These promising practices have been published in a report (see link above) and researchers are also developing an interactive portal for use across the public sector (which will be announced in due course).

Regular cycles of implementation, reflection, and adjustment will enable these communities to continuously refine their interventions. Through observation and participation, researchers will capture insights into integrity practices, evaluate processes of design and implementation, and share successful practices for wider uptake.

This research will provide practical insights for public sector professionals, especially those engaged in integrity governance, compliance, and ethical leadership roles.

The action research methodology promises to deliver valuable guidance to leaders and staff who seek to proactively cultivate an integrity-driven workplace culture, enabling them to identify effective actions and understand barriers to integrity.

More broadly, the project will be useful to researchers interested in applying action research methods, especially within public governance contexts.

The project’s first output, Building a Pro-Integrity Culture in the Public Sector: A Review of Promising Practices was developed by researchers to support the co-design of interventions by the communities of practice. It categorises a range of interventions that have been trialled in different jurisdictions.

The table below shows the categories and links to some examples identified by the researchers. It shows the breadth of the options available to public sectors agencies looking to build their integrity systems and practices, and offers inspiration to integrity leaders.

Key milestones for the project include:

• Project initiation and community of practice establishment – through January 2025
• Review of promising practices – through February 2025
• Publication of Promising Practices Report and online portal – June 2025
• Data analysis, impact assessment, and iterative feedback cycles – through August 2025
• Final reporting and dissemination of findings – Late 2025

Please check back here to follow the project as it progresses.