Speakers

Invited Speakers

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  Dr Kathryn Brimblecombe-Fox, PhD, M. Phil, B.A

  Honorary Research Fellow, School of Communication and Arts, The University of Queensland

  Kathryn Brimblecombe-Fox, PhD, M. Phil, B.A, an inter-disciplinary researcher and visual artist based in Meanjin/Brisbane, Australia. She is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Communication and Arts, The University of Queensland. Her research and creative practice examine issues associated with contemporary militarised technology, and the militarise-ability of contemporary civilian technology. Her creative practice-led PhD focussed on implications associated with increasing military and civilian techno-reliance on the electromagnetic spectrum. Kathryn has presented about her research and creative practice at Australian-based and international conferences. Reflecting her interdisciplinarity, these conferences range across cultural studies, science and technology studies, international studies, art history, media studies, and drone studies. Her research is published in peer reviewed journals and edited books. She has exhibited her paintings in Australia and internationally.
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  Mr Narayan Dhital

  Satellite and Aircraft Navigation Engineer, DLR GfR mbH, Germany

  The presenter supports the peaceful use of technology and the power of global cooperation. With a decade of experience as a satellite and aircraft navigation engineer in the European aerospace sector, he blends technical expertise in satellite intelligence with a strong interest in geopolitics and macroeconomics. He holds an executive master's degree in international affairs and diplomacy from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, with a specialization in EU–Asia Pacific trade and economic strategies. One of his current activities include the detection of conflict hot spots through the satellite-based identification of electronic warfare activity. In his private capacity, he applies macroeconomic modeling to analyze the recent surge of protests in small and open economies.
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  Prof Allison Kealy

  Interim CEO, SHIELD CRC

  Professor Allison Kealy is Director of Swinburne University's Innovative Planet Research Institute (IPRI) and an internationally recognised leader in resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), sensor fusion and quantum-enabled sensing. She is a co-founder of the Victorian Disaster Research Alliance, a Board Member of Quantum Australia, and a Fellow of both the International Association of Geodesy and the Royal Institute of Navigation. Allison has held senior government leadership roles, including Executive Director (Surveying & Spatial) at the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, where she led major digital transformation programs such as Digital Twin Victoria. As one of the architects of the SHIELD CRC, Allison brings deep expertise in high-integrity PNT sensors and systems, critical-infrastructure resilience, and building cross-sector collaborations to enhance Australia's sovereign PNT capability.
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  Dr Nigel McGinty

  Chief Human and Decision Sciences, Defence Science and Technology Group, Department of Defence

  Dr Nigel McGinty has been the Chief of Human and Decision Sciences Division since March 2025. The division consists of 290 scientists, technologists, and engineers and spans human performance, optimising decision-making, operations analysis, modelling, simulation, and war-gaming to support the ADF.

  Prior to this position, Dr McGinty was the Chief Technology Officer of Science Strategy, Communications and International Engagement. Dr McGinty is responsible for Defence's Innovation Science and Technology Strategy, determining policy direction, and advocating for Defence science and technology.

  Previously, Dr McGinty led the National Security Science and Technology program, fostering the development of S&T across Government to enhance Australia's national security. Other roles include Program Leader of the Integrated Force and Head of Strategy and the Joint Force Branch.

  Dr McGinty began his career specialising in signal processing to optimize digital communications systems, and has gained extensive experience in emerging technologies, force design, joint concepts, whole-of-force experimentation, simulation, and strategy.

  Dr McGinty has received three Defence Gold Commendations, a PhD in Telecommunications Engineering from the Australian National University, and a Bachelor of Electronic Engineering from RMIT University.
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  Dr Marc Olivieri

  Senior Fellow, L3Harris Technologies

  Dr Marc Olivieri is a Senior Fellow at L3Harris Technologies, leading the Advanced Concept Engineering Group for Airborne Combat Systems. With over three decades of experience in R&D, he specializes in signal processing, electronic warfare, cognitive technologies, neuromorphic optical processors, machine learning, and SIGINT.

  Dr Olivieri pioneered cognitive spectrum operations, inventing the first optical neuron for neuromorphic processing and the RF Mobility Concept for dynamic spectrum operations. He developed cognitive jammers for DARPA and led Project ARKENSTONE for agentic AI in electronic warfare, & SHADOWSTALKER demonstration earning second place in the 2021 Navy ANTX-AI challenge.

  He holds three U.S. patents in ISR and advanced radar technologies and has published extensively on cognitive spectrum operations and biosonar. Dr. Olivieri earned his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from UTC France, and his MS and PhD in Ocean Engineering from Florida Atlantic University. He actively mentors multiple engineers and maintains extensive DoD/IC relationships.
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  AVM (retd) Kym Osley, AM, CSC

  Executive Secretary, Australian Institute of Navigation

  AVM Kym Osley AM, CSC (retd) is a Fellow of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies, a Master Air Navigator of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots and is Executive Secretary (and a Fellow) of the Australian Institute of Navigation. He has over 48 years of Defence experience, including fast-jet command tours at Squadron, Wing, and Group-level. Kym deployed as Director of the Coalition Air Operations Centre in the Middle East in 2006/07 where he directed the employment of 425 Coalition aircraft and 25,000 airmen. He was the senior Australian Defence representative in the US in 2008-2010, before returning to Australia to lead the $17Bn Australian F-35 Program. In 2014 AVM Osley transferred to the Air Force Reserves and has and continues to serve on several Defence and aerospace-related company Boards.
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  Dr Len Sciacca

  CEO, ASR Defence

  Len Sciacca is co-founder of ASR Defence, an Australian company specialising in advanced radar, electronic surveillance, and autonomous sensing systems. With a career leading Radar and EW in DSTG, industry R&D, and University research. ASR defence is leading the design of low-SWaP multifunction radars, distributed maritime sensing architectures, and AI-enabled TEWA systems for unmanned platforms. His work integrates deep technical expertise in Radar, EW, signal processing, antenna systems, and embedded autonomy with a practical understanding of operational needs across the ADF and allied environments.

  Len has contributed to major defence research initiatives, collaborated with universities and industry, and provided technical leadership in projects ranging from radar, sensor fusion, sonar and battle management systems. He is recognised for driving rapid prototyping, sovereign capability growth, and commercially viable defence technology pathways. Through ASR Defence, he continues to champion innovative, deployable solutions for Australia's evolving grey-zone and defence surveillance and EW challenges.