For 12 years Patrick was Foundation Chair in Educational Leadership and Director of the Flagship for Creative and Authentic Leadership at ACU National where he championed ethical and moral leadership, especially in not-for-profit organisations. Duignan has been involved in many research projects, most recently as director on a project for reflective research and action learning for educational leaders on their capacity to build their 'fields of influence' in order to impact positively on student outcomes in schools.