Flinders University is at the front line of defence-oriented research and development in myriad different ways across their campuses. From robotics teams making advances that could keep soldiers out of harm’s way, fibre optics technology that is revolutionising battlefield communications, and engineers evolving ways to enhance body mechanics, their students and research are imperative to the future of the industry. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Flinders University vice chancellor Professor Colin Stirling and defence partnerships director Tony Kyriacou join host Phil Tarrant to discuss the critical role that academia plays in defence industry. They will discuss the interconnective opportunities that the university offers to various stakeholders including industry, students and SMEs, and unpack the long-term rationale of getting their students international placements within industry. The pair will also discuss where the technology that they are involved in developing is being used other than defence industry, how they measure the effectiveness of their involvement in defence and whether they believe enough is being done to get kids interested in defence technology. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team