Defence, Cyber & Space

There’s no greater reassurance for our community than knowing we’re well prepared to prevent or avert threats to our security. Our researchers support this in every domain: on land and online; in space, the air and at sea.

We work extensively with the Department of Defence and defence-related organisations in a variety of ways—as an advisor, research partner and producer of high-quality, career-ready graduates equipped to make our world a better, and more secure, place.

Impact stories

Developing the first drug for multi-organ radiation protection

A pharmaceutical breakthrough at the University of Adelaide is showing promise in both multi-organ radiation protection and cancer treatment.

Read more about Developing the first drug for multi-organ radiation protection

Growing plants for space: securing Earth’s sustainable future

University of Adelaide researchers are helping humanity explore among the stars by developing off-Earth agriculture and––in the process––finding interstellar solutions that could transform plant cultivation here at home.

Read more about securing Earth’s sustainable future

Bots Manipulate Public Opinion Russia - Ukraine in Conflict

New research from the University of Adelaide has shown that social media bot accounts have been used in malicious campaigns to influence online discussion during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Read more about Bots Manipulate Public Opinion Russia - Ukraine in Conflict

Autonomous rovers for moon exploration

When it comes to studying the surface of moons and planets, robot explorers called “rovers” are the gold standard. They can travel into space far more easily than a human astronaut, traverse new terrains quickly, and collect mountains of useful data.

Read more about Autonomous rovers for moon exploration

Giving REDSPICE bite: Why strengthening Australia’s cyber capability demands unprecedented ASD-university collaboration

The Australian Government’s REDSPICE blueprint, released with last week’s 2022-23 budget, will significantly increase the Australian Signals Directorate’s (ASD) cyber and intelligence capabilities.

Read more about Why strengthening Australia’s cyber capability demands unprecedented ASD-university collaboration

Standing firm

The Discovery Pod | Season 2, Episode 9
Our societies are more connected than ever, with countless governmental processes now taking place online, making it worryingly easy for foreign actors to sow the seeds of domestic division and unrest.

Read more about Standing firm

Moon boot

The Discovery Pod | Season 2, Episode 8
Powering up human settlement on the Moon is widely considered the ideal first step towards long-term crewed planetary exploration—and it could feasibly happen as soon as this decade. 

Read more about Moon boot

Cyber security

The Discovery Pod | Season 1, Episode 9 
Cybercrime and Digital Warfare – how do we get tech savvy to secure our lives online?

Read more about Cyber security

Defence and Security Institute

The Defence and Security Institute plays a key role in the Australian capabilities essential to our nation’s defence, security, and prosperity.

Defence and Security Institute (DSI)

Who to contact

Professor Michael Webb is Director, Defence, Space and Cybersecurity at the University of Adelaide, providing a single point of contact within the University for Defence, Space and Cybersecurity related research and education.

E: m.webb@adelaide.edu.au

View researcher profile

Start your career

Launch a career in defence, space or cyber security with a world-class degree.

Start your career

Progress your career

Accelerate your career or change direction with a quality postgraduate qualification.

Progress your career