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Minister for Defence Industry Linda Reynolds has announced the appointment of Dr Michele Allan as the new chair of the Defence Cooperative Research Centre to support the development of trusted autonomous systems.
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The Defence CRC for Trusted Autonomous Systems was announced by the Australian government in 2017 under the Next Generation Technologies Fund to deliver game-changing unmanned platforms that ensure reliable and effective co-operation between people and machines during dynamic military operations.
"Dr Allan is a highly regarded academic with an impressive business background and will provide strong leadership for the Defence CRC," Minister Reynolds said.
The Defence CRC receives annual funding of $8 million with a maximum of $50 million to be invested over a seven-year period.
"Dr Allan will continue the successful work carried out by Mr Jim McDowell in establishing the Defence CRC with BAE Systems, RMIT, DefendTex and Defence Science and Technology as foundation members," Minister Reynolds added.
Dr Michele Allan is a food industry and agribusiness specialist who has held senior executive and director positions in the food and education sectors and has an academic background in biomedical science, management and law.
Dr Allan is the currently chancellor of Charles Sturt University, chair of the board of Meat and Livestock Australia, and member of the CSIRO board. Dr Allan has a Bachelor of Applied Science Major – Biomedical Science – Cytology from University Technology Sydney, Master of Management (Technology) from the University of Melbourne, Doctor of Business Administration from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and a Master of Commercial Law from Deakin University. She is also a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Minister Reynolds explained, "Dr Allan has held senior executive and director positions in the food and education sectors, and she will also bring her experience in management and law to the effective operation of the Defence CRC."
Minister Reynolds said Dr Allan will work with industry and academia on transitioning the results of the Defence CRC into capability outcomes.
The Defence CRCs aim to deliver game-changing capabilities critical to Australia’s defence and national security. Program funding will enable Defence CRCs to partner with industry, particularly SMEs, and researchers to develop next-generation technologies to improve Australia’s defence and national security capabilities.
To become a participant in a Defence CRC, you must be:
- A company incorporated in Australia (industry participant); or
- A publicly funded research organisation (PFRO) or entity incorporated in Australia that conducts research and development (research participant).
Participants contribute to a Defence CRC’s schedule of work and are eligible to apply to participate in its approved projects. Participants may become members of the Defence CRC company.
The Defence CRC will develop project proposals and the board will approve projects aligned with the goals and objectives of the Defence CRC. The board will invite Defence CRC participants and, where appropriate, third parties to apply to take part in each project, more information about the Defence CRCs is available here.
"I congratulate Dr Allan on her appointment and look forward to the Defence CRC delivering on its mission under her leadership," Minister Reynolds said.
