PODCAST: Australian Defence Industry Awards’ Academic of the Year, Dr Oleksandra Molloy

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by the Australian Defence Industry Awards’ Academic of the Year, Dr Oleksandra Molloy, to discuss the momentous award and her research into the use of drones in the war in Ukraine.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by the Australian Defence Industry Awards’ Academic of the Year, Dr Oleksandra Molloy, to discuss the momentous award and her research into the use of drones in the war in Ukraine.

The University of NSW senior lecturer has conducted significant research into advanced air mobility and uncrewed systems with organisations such as the Australian Army Research Centre and collaborations with CAE Australia on two research projects, supported by funding from the Defence Trailblazer.

Molloy has a PhD in aviation (science) from UNSW, Australia; an MSc in human factors (engineering) from the University of Nottingham, UK; a master of education and linguistics (humanities) from the Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine; and a diploma in aviation safety from the International Air Transport Association (IATA, Canada).

The pair discuss a range of topics regarding the defence industry, including:

  • Molloy’s experience winning the Academic of the Year award and the acknowledgement of the entire defence industry at ADIA in Canberra.
  • Her thoughts about being acknowledged individually by the British high commissioner to Australia, Dame Sarah MacIntosh, on the night of the ADIA.
  • Molloy’s experience working with the Australian defence industry, Australia’s development and usage of drones.
  • Uncrewed aerial systems, unmanned ground vehicles and drone development in Ukraine, as well as Molloy’s own projects and plans for the future.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: CONTESTED GROUND: Weak, vulnerable, backwater – Australia’s choice between strategic camps and managed decline
Episode 10: PODCAST: Undersea dominance – Australia charts the maritime future through autonomous systems and AUKUS innovation
Episode 9: PODCAST: Australian Army Cadets pathways, submarine industry growth and Australia’s fuel security
Episode 8: CONTESTED GROUND: The blind faith factor – why Australians trust an ADF they don’t understand
Episode 7: PODCAST: Defence preparedness, artificial intelligence productivity, and Australian industrial resilience
Episode 6: CONTESTED GROUND: Shots fired! Chinese missile test shatters Australia’s ‘fog of peace’, with Mike Pezzullo
Episode 5: SPOTLIGHT: Counter-drone innovation, directed energy and delivering operational outcomes, with EOS Defence Systems’ Lee Kormany
Episode 4: PODCAST: Strengthening security ties, Fiji defence pact and Australia’s counter-drone push
Episode 3: CONTESTED GROUND: Lessons from the UK in political polarisation, generational dislocation and intergenerational warfare, with Ben Dullroy, Bravo Delta Advisory
Episode 2: PODCAST: Defence Industry Development Strategy, Defence reform and Australians fighting in Ukraine