Dr Austin Wyatt joined RAND Australia in 2022. His research focuses on the impacts of emerging and disruptive critical technologies, with a particular focus on AI and autonomous systems. While at RAND, Austin has contributed to research supporting the ADF in its engagement with emerging technologies. He holds a PhD in political science from the Australian Catholic University, which was awarded summa cum laude and received the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Doctoral Research. Prior to joining …

Dr Andrew Dowse has been director of RAND Australia since July 2021. In this role, he identifies policy research opportunities for Australian clients at the Commonwealth and state/territory levels, delivers and disseminates high-quality research and analysis on Australian policy issues, and leads the RAND Australia office in Canberra. His most recent work for RAND Australia has been in providing research support to the Australian Department of Defence, specifically the Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise …

Dr Joanne Nicholson joined RAND Australia in July 2019 after 20 years’ combined experience working in and across government, industry and academia, particularly in support of defence, national security and the intelligence community. As a highly experienced operations researcher, strategic analyst and futures specialist, Joanne works with a variety of agencies to ensure their investment programs are aligned to relevant and appropriate strategic objectives and designed to deliver the benefits that their …

Matthew Krupczak is the founder of Theta Informatics and the creator of its OpenAthena software which enables terrain-raycast localization by commercial off-the-shelf drones. He is a computer science graduate from Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. His studies focused on systems programming and artificial intelligence. His natural curiosity and experimentation on numerous software projects have led to his experience in UAS, geodesy, and machine learning. He is interested in how these concepts apply to …

Dr Zena Assaad is a senior lecturer in the School of Engineering at the Australian National University and is also a fellow with the Australian Army Research Centre. She has previously held a fellowship with Trusted Autonomous Systems. Her research explores the safety of human-machine teaming and the assurance and certification of autonomous and AI systems. Dr Assaad is the founder and chair of the Australian national community of practice for UAS and AAM research. She received the 2023 Asia Pacific Women …

Dr Jai Galliott is Director of the Values in Defence & Security Technology Group within the University of New South Wales at Australian Defence Force Academy, where he also sits on the Faculty & University Boards. He also holds appointments as a Fellow of the Modern War Institute at the West Point and the Centre for Technology & Global Affairs in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford. He has authored/edited the following books: Military Robots: Mapping the Moral …

Associate Professor Garth Pratten is a member of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University. An historian by training, he has previously worked for the Australian Army’s Training Command and the Australian War Memorial, and taught in the Department of War Studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Among his research interests are the experience of command and the conduct of military operations. … Garth …

Major Tony Purdy is currently serving in Headquarters 1st Brigade as the S3 Operations Officer. He has previously served as the S33 Current Operations Officer in the same headquarters, as well as a range of command and training appointments including 1st Armoured Regiment, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, B Squadron 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment and the Royal Military College Duntroon. In these roles he has served alongside a number of allies and partners on exercises in Australia and abroad, as well as on operations in …

Leo Purdy is a retired Armour Officer who served in various regimental, staff and training postings. As an independent consultant, he now undertakes research and analysis activities to support Defence and Industry capability development. In this capacity, he has written articles, studies, concepts and doctrine on armoured warfare, mounted minor tactics and the future of armour and mechanised infantry. … Leo …

Captain James Saint is an Artillery Officer currently completing a Masters of Strategy and Security with the University of New South Wales. … James Saint …