Australia’s AUKUS officials, part 2: Tanya Monro, Chief Defence Scientist
Jul 25, 2024
auto_awesome
Tanya Monro, Chief Defence Scientist at the Department of Defence, shares her insights on Australia's strategic priorities in the evolving defense landscape. She discusses the critical role of scientific innovation, particularly in hypersonics and quantum systems, and the importance of the AUKUS Pillar Two collaboration. Misconceptions about defense research at universities are tackled, as well as the intersection of industry and academia in driving technological advancements. Monro emphasizes the need for education as a key component of national security.
Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group focuses on advanced technologies and collaboration to address contemporary security challenges and maintain a strategic edge.
The Australian Strategic Capabilities Accelerator promotes rapid innovation and collaboration with small enterprises, enhancing responsiveness and agility in defence capability development.
Deep dives
Personalized Approaches to Weight Loss
Individualized strategies are crucial for successful weight loss as exemplified by Noom’s tailored plans. Users like Brittany, who struggled with yo-yo dieting, successfully lost 20 pounds with a plan that addressed her specific psychological and biological needs. Similarly, Stephanie, a former Division 1 athlete, lost 38 pounds by understanding that exercise alone was insufficient to combat unhealthy eating habits. Even Evan, who dislikes salads, managed to lose 50 pounds by focusing on habit formation rather than restrictive diets, emphasizing the significance of a sustainable lifestyle change.
The Role of Advanced Technologies in Defence
Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group plays a pivotal role in addressing contemporary security challenges by leveraging advanced technologies. Current strategic focuses include trusted autonomy, quantum technologies, AI-driven decision superiority, and hypersonics, all aimed at maintaining Australia’s technological edge in a competitive environment. The group has shifted its approach towards tackling significant problems and aligning research and development more closely with real-world operational needs, underlined by the urgency to adapt to the fast-paced demands of modern warfare. Funding for innovations now prioritizes cutting-edge solutions through collaborative efforts with universities and industry partners.
The Importance of Acceleration in Capability Development
Acceleration is a fundamental principle guiding Australia's defence innovation to enhance responsiveness in capability development. The establishment of the Australian Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) marks a significant institutional investment to streamline procurement and foster agility in acquiring new technologies. ASCA promotes a culture of rapid prototyping and fail-fast methodologies to test and refine capabilities, reflecting a shift towards less bureaucratic processes. This approach not only improves acquisition timelines but also encourages collaborative development with small to medium enterprises to cultivate domestic technological advancements.
Engaging Universities in National Defence Research
Collaboration between Australia's universities and the Defence sector plays a critical role in enhancing national security and technological prowess. The Defence Science and Technology Group fosters partnerships with academic institutions to tap into high-caliber research capabilities while ensuring that collaborative efforts are protected from foreign interference. Misunderstandings surrounding defence research often attribute military motives to university partnerships, neglecting the broader applications aimed at ensuring safety and security. As the national landscape evolves, emphasizing dual-use research for both defence and civilian applications will cultivate a more integrated and resilient research ecosystem.
What are the priorities of the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and how have they evolved to reflect our strategic environment?
What is the importance of and strategic reasoning for AUKUS Pillar Two?
What misconceptions exist about defence research at universities?
How does industry, policy, and research intersect to contribute to deterrence and generating an asymmetric technological advantage?
In this episode, Tanya Monro joins Rory Medcalf to discuss innovation, science and technology, the National Defence Strategy, the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, defence research, and universities against the backdrop of AUKUS Pillar 2.
Professor Tanya Monro AC FAA FTSE is Chief Defence Scientist at the Department of Defence.
Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His experience spans three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.
Show notes:
ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more
We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.