Macquarie University has a strong record of innovation. We helped develop the technology that underpins modern WiFi systems and are uniquely involved in the development of cutting-edge technologies with our partners.
We are a research leader across a range of defence science and technology strategic areas, including trustworthy machine learning and confidential Artificial Intelligence (AI), human-centric and behavioural cybersecurity, software systems and quantum technologies.
Our research is transforming Australia’s defence capabilities.
Macquarie University is a fast a flexible research and development partner.
Our active defence research and development themes are:
• Semiconductors: Wireless electronics for applications including satellite systems, test instruments, phased array, high-capacity microwave radio applications, 5G/6G radio access and backhaul
• Information and influence: New and emerging criminal and security threats including local and global strategic trends, as well as terrorism and resilience
• Quantum technologies and algorithms: Low-SWaP quantum technologies to create new PNT solutions
• Biotech and gene editing: World-leading research in insect gene editing for defence and non-defence applications
• Artificial intelligence and autonomous systems: Development of transformative, robust and scalable autonomous landing systems for drones
• Advanced sensing: Photonic technologies for sensing in extreme environments; for example, embedding robust optical waveguides in materials and developing solutions that are immune to electromagnetic interference
• Future communications: Changing the way next-generation data services are delivered
• Computational fluid dynamics: Computational fluid dynamics models of new undersea vehicle designs
• Cybersecurity: Cyber strategy, foresight and policy, data security and privacy, human-centric security, legal and ethics of cyber, risk management, governance and control and software and cyber physical systems security
• Power and energy: Photovoltaic materials and devices and the application and safe storage of hydrogen
• Space systems: Boosting space communications and Earth observation capabilities
• Enhanced human performance: Understanding the extreme physical and mental conditions under which defence personnel perform and applying that knowledge to next-generation military technologies
• World-leading research and development capabilities across our defence themes
• Fast and flexible partnership models, including collaborative research, contract research and consulting opportunities to access breakthrough research
• A connector into the Australian innovation ecosystem, with exciting partnerships in government and industry and memberships in the Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau (S3B), the Defence Innovation Network, the NSW Space Research Network and the NSW Smart Sensing Network
• Contributing to Australia’s next-generation workforce, graduating industry-ready students with sought-after degrees. Our industry partners have opportunities to engage in shaping the skills of our graduates
• A range of consultancy services are available, including program evaluation, training, analysis and testing and expert witness services
• Ranked among the top 2% of universities in the world, Macquarie University is considered one of Australia’s best universities, producing graduates that are among the most sought-after professionals
• 100% of research activity rated at or above world standard and contributing to engagement and impact
• Over 300 industry partners on campus or in the adjacent high-tech precinct
• 43,684 students, including 1,953 higher degree students, in 2022
• Ready to collaborate with new industry partners to develop capabilities, including contributions to tendering opportunities
• We maintain a dedicated Research Innovation & Enterprise team to support partnerships and expedite associated business processes
• Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) (Australia)
• Australian Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force service branches
• Defence and intelligence organisations in allied nations
• Global defence primes across various projects
• Australian defence-act
• Google
• Microsoft
• Cochlear
• Fujitsu Australia
• Optus
• Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia
• Lockheed Martin
• M-Squared Lasers
• Analog Devices
• New South Wales Government
• Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
• Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) (Australia) Member