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