Valerie Francis
University of Melbourne
Rate Professor Valerie Francis
Creates a safe and inclusive space.
Inspires growth and curiosity in every student.
Always prepared and organized for students.
Encourages students to think independently.
Makes learning exciting and impactful.
Makes learning feel effortless and fun.
About Valerie
Professor Valerie Francis serves as Professor in Construction Management and Chair in Construction in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne. A civil engineer by training, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Adelaide, a Master’s degree (coursework) in Project Management from the University of South Australia, and a PhD from the University of Melbourne. Prior to academia, Francis accumulated over ten years of professional experience in the construction sector, working as a senior structural engineer and project manager on commercial, industrial, and domestic projects. She joined the University of Melbourne in 2000, where she has held significant administrative roles, including membership on the Faculty Executive, Associate Dean (Resources), and Program Coordinator for the Master of Construction Management.
Francis’s scholarly work centers on critical issues in the construction industry, including productivity enhancement, educational advancements, work-life balance, and gender equity. Her prolific output includes industry reports and articles published in leading international journals such as Construction Management and Economics and the International Journal of Construction Management. Key publications encompass “What influences professional women’s career advancement in construction” (2017), representing the largest global study of its kind and culminating in a novel career typology for professional women; “A Review of Work-Life Balance in the Construction Industry” (2020); “Exploring Vocational Guidance and Gender in Construction” (2013, International Journal of Construction Education and Research); and contributions to books like Managing Work-Life Balance in Construction. Much of her research has been conducted in collaboration with Helen Lingard, examining work-family conflict among construction professionals. Francis’s research has earned accolades, including two Australian Institute of Building Excellence Awards for Research and Development. She is actively engaged with the Victorian State Government to promote women’s entry into construction trades. As a pioneer advocate, she founded the women in engineering group in South Australia during the 1980s and served as its first convenor. In recognition of her 25 years of service, she received the NAWIC Bovis Lend Lease Crystal Vision Award (Victoria) in 2010 and the National Crystal Vision Award in 2012.
Professional Email: vfrancis@unimelb.edu.au