Researcher

My Expertise

Uncrewed and autonomous systems; human factors; aviation safety; modern warfare; defence & national security; war in Ukraine; road safety; training and education; STEM careers; drones; coutner- uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS); 

Keywords

Fields of Research (FoR)

Decision Making, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Other Education, Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance, Autonomous Vehicles, Transportation not elsewhere classified, Other Artificial Intelligence, Defence Studies

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Biography

Dr Oleksandra Molloy is a Senior Lecturer in Human Factors and Aviation Safety and the Lead of the Human Factors Research Lab in the School of Science of the University of New South Wales (Canberra). Dr Molloy has also served as the Aviation Discipline Coordinator and an Academic Board Member at UNSW Canberra. Dr Molloy is a research trailblazer and an award-winning leader who conducts multi-disciplinary research in uncrewed/autonomous...view more
Dr Oleksandra Molloy is a Senior Lecturer in Human Factors and Aviation Safety and the Lead of the Human Factors Research Lab in the School of Science of the University of New South Wales (Canberra). Dr Molloy has also served as the Aviation Discipline Coordinator and an Academic Board Member at UNSW Canberra. Dr Molloy is a research trailblazer and an award-winning leader who conducts multi-disciplinary research in uncrewed/autonomous systems, human factors, safety and risk management (i.e., aviation and road). In the area of uncrewed systems, Dr Molloy has led the first evidence-based research on the use of drones in the war in Ukraine (supported by the Australian Army Research Centre, Department of Defence), continuously research and provide expert views on the role of UAS/C-UAS in the war in Ukraine. In addition, Dr Molloy is leading several Defence Trailblazer projects in collaboration with industry partners (CAE; Praetorian Aeronautics). In collaboration with the Defence Flight Safety Bureau (DFSB), Dr Molloy has led the UNSW team to jointly develop and deliver short courses for the Aviation Safety Officer Advanced (ASO-A) program for senior Defence aviation professionals. 
Dr Molloy has a PhD in Aviation (UNSW, Australia); a MSc in Human Factors (University of Nottingham, UK); a Master of Education (Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Ukraine); a Graduate Research Certificate (Kirovograd Flight Academy of National Aviation University, Ukraine); and a Diploma in Aviation Safety (International Air Transport Association, Canada). Dr Molloy has served as a Board Director and Vice President of Education at the Advanced Air Mobility Institute (USA), Board Director and Director of Education at the Women in Aviation (Australian Chapter), Chair of the Human Factors Ergonomics Society Training Technical Group (USA), and a Chair of the Australasian College of Road Safety Women in Road Safety Network (Australasia). Oleksandra serves as the Chair of the Council of Technical Groups of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (USA).
Dr Molloy has been the Chief Investigator and Co-investigator in a number of large and complex projects funded by the Department of Defence, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and the Arts, the Australian Research Council, Transport Canberra and ACT Services, and the Department of Education. Dr Molloy also supervises and mentors PhD candidates, post-doctoral researchers, and female aviation and defence professionals at various stages of their careers, inspires and educate the next generation of STEM professionals.
In 2025, Dr Molloy has been named 'Academic of the Year' by the Australian Defence Industry Awards. Dr Molloy was named a 'Woman of the Year' by HFE WOMAN Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (USA); a winner in Research & Development by the ADM Women in Defence Awards; Industry Leader in AAM by eVTOL Insights (UK); Best Researcher from the International Media and Education Studies awards. Under Dr Molloy's leadership, the teams received the following awards: 'Best Training and Development Program' by the Defence and National Security Workforce Awards; and HFES Training Technical Group received Gold Status for the last two years. 
As a thought leader, Dr Oleksandra Molloy is often invited to provide an expert opinion on: uncrewed and autonomous systems, war in Ukraine, defence and national security, aviation safety, and other topics for the BBC World Service, BBC News (London, UK), CNBC (USA), ABC, SBS, Channel 9, Channel 7, Forbes, New Scientist, Indo-Pacific Forum, etc. Dr Molloy delivered national and international keynote opening addresses (NATO S&T symposium; ICAO forums), presentations at the conferences, defence and industry events, contributed as an expert to the inquiries to the Australian Parliament house (i.e., Department of Defence annual report), spoke at numerous public debates, symposiums, discussion panels in the area of her expertise. Dr Molloy has also contributed to documentaries, such as "War Machine: Modern Warfare (ZDF Studios), The War Cabinet: Exclusive Program (SkyNews), 7/30 Report (ABC TV), Documentary on Drones in Modern Warfare (CNBC), etc.

My Grants

 External Grants:

1. Category 1, Grant ($18,748.44). Defence Trailblazer, University of Adelaide/Trailblazer Universities Program (Defence), Praetorian Aeronautics/Defence Trailblazer Partner Contribution (2025-2026). Role: Chief Investigator (UNSW). “Praetorian Venator Unmanned Aerial System”. Total project funds: $5,792,352.26.

2. Category 2 Grant: ($62,271.22): Australian Army Research Centre, Department of Defence (2025-2026). Role: Lead Investigator. “Drones in Modern Warfare: Lessons learnt from the war in Ukraine”.

3. Category 1 Grant ($658,119.05): ASIC, Defence Trailblazer, University of Adelaide/Trailblazer Universities Program (Defence), CAE Australia/Defence Trailblazer Partner Contribution (2025-2026). Developing AI-based tool to assess cognitive workload for mission aircrew.

4. Category 1 Grant ($259,873.08): Defence Trailblazer, University of Adelaide/Trailblazer Universities Program (Defence), CAE Australia/Defence Trailblazer Partner Contribution (2023-2025). Developing AI-based tool to assess cognitive workload for mission aircrew.

5. Category 2 Grant: ($51,366.5): Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate (Road Safety and Active Travel). Role: Lead Investigator (2024-2025). “Examining the effect of 30 km/h speed zones in ACT”.

6. Category 2 Grant ($64, 123.00): Australian Army Research Centre, Department of Defence (2024-2025). Role: Co-Investigator. “Ethical Challenges to the Implementation of Remote and Autonomous Systems and AI (RAS AI)”.

7. Category 2 Grant: ($56,417.00): Australian Army Research Centre, Department of Defence (2023-2024). Role: Lead Investigator. “Lessons learnt from the use of drones in the Ukraine War”

8. Category 1 Grant ($268,904.00): Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2022-2025). Role: Co-Investigator

9. Category 1 Grant ($342,888.98): Road Safety Innovation Fund (RSIF) from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (2021-2023). Role: Chief Investigator. Improving young novice and experienced drivers’ speed management behaviour.

10. Category 1 Grant: ($392,913): Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2018-2020). Role: Research Investigator. Improving young drivers’ speeding behaviour.

11. Category 1 Grant: ($143,000): Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2014-2018). Role: Research Associate. Developing an advanced training to improve young drivers’ speeding behaviour.

 

Internal Grants:

1. AI-seed grant LORA project ($21,000): UNSW Canberra (2021-2022). Role: Co-Investigator

2. AI-seed grant project “AI enabled decision-support systems on the battlefield” ($50,000): UNSW Canberra (2021-2022). Role: Co-Investigator

3. Seed grant project ($50,000): UNSW Canberra (2021-2023). Role: Lead Investigator

4. Career Advancement Fund ($10,000): UNSW (2021-2022). Role: Lead Investigator

 

 


My Qualifications

2023 - Diploma in Aviation Safety, International Air Transport Association (IATA, Canada)
2018 - PhD in Aviation/Human Factors, School of Aviation, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales (Australia)
2013 - MSc in Human Factors, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham (UK)
2013 - Graduate Research Diploma in Theory and Methodology of Professional Education, Flight Academy of National Aviation University (Ukraine)
2011 - Graduate Research Diploma in Theory and Methodology of Professional Education, National University of Educational Management of the National                            Academy of Pedagogical Sciences (Ukraine)
2008 - Master of Education/ English, State Teachers' Training University (Ukraine)
2007 - Bachelor of Education/ English, State Teachers' Training University (Ukraine)

My Awards

  • Academic of the Year – 2025 (winner) – Australian Defence Industry Awards;

  • Women in Defence – Research & Development – 2024 (winner) – ADM Women in Defence Awards

  • Woman of the Year-2024 (winner) by the HFE WOMAN, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (USA)

  • Women in AAM, Industry Leader 2024 – (winner) by eVTOL insights

  • Academic of the Year – 2024 (finalist) by the Australian Defence Industry Awards

  • ‘Gold Award’ for the HFES Training Technical Group Circle of Excellence Program – 2024 & 2025 by the Human factors and Ergonomics Society (USA)

  • Best Training and Development Program 2024 (winner) – by the Defence & National Security Workforce Awards for the Aviation Program, School of Science, UNSW Canberra. This award is important to me as for a Female Leader of the team and the program (Australia)

  • Best Researcher Award 2024 (winner) for the Contribution and Honourable Achievement in Innovative Research at the 13th International Conference on Communications and Media Studies (International)

  • New Wave Program – Empowering Women Entrepreneurs - Scholarship recipient 2024 - by UNSW Founders, Sydney, Australia

  • Best PhD Thesis Award 2019 – The Sydney Airport HDR Prize for the best PhD thesis in 2018, by the University of New South Wales, School of Aviation (Australia)

  • Outstanding contribution to the quality of conference proceedings 2019 by Ministry of Science and Education of Ukraine at the 3d International Scientific Conference “Topical issues of humanities, technical and natural sciences” (Ukraine)

  • Best Student Paper Award 2018 at the Annual Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Conference by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Training Technical Group (Philadelphia, USA). This award has been given in recognition of “The effect of cognitive-based training on young drivers’ speed management behavior: An on-road study”

  • Best Presentation Award 2018 granted by Ministry of Science and Education of Ukraine at the 3d International Scientific Conference for Bachelor, Master, Graduate Students and Young Researchers “Topical issues of humanities, technical and natural sciences” (Ukraine) 

  • Winner of the Early Career and Student SIG

  • Representative 2013 – The University of Nottingham (United Kingdom)

  • Winner of the National Research Award to study abroad 2012. Section: Transport and Transport Infrastructure – Ministry of Education and Science, Youths and Sport of Ukraine (Ukraine)


My Research Activities

Personal Affiliations

  • Chair of Council of Technical Groups of the Human Factor and Ergonomics Society (USA)

  • Chair of the Training Technical Group of the Human Factor and Ergonomics Society (USA)

  • Board Director and VP of Education of the Advanced Air Mobility Institute (USA)

  • Chair of the Australasian College of Road Safety Women in Road Safety Network (Australasia)

  • Member of Chartered Institute of Human Factors and Ergonomics (CIEHF, UK)

  • Member at Royal Aeronautical Society (UK/ Australia)


My Engagement

Presentations and Public Outreach (2021-2025)

  • Invited Speaker - Loitering Munition Conference, SAE Group London, UK, (November 18-19, 2025).
  • Mentor for ADM Women in Defence Network - Indo-Pacific Exposition (November 4-6, 2025).
  • Invited Expert in uncrewed and autonomous systems to the Inquiry to the Australian Department of Defence Annual Report 2023-2024, Parliament of Australia (November, 2025).
  • Invited Speaker at the ‘Goldrick Seminar by the Australian Naval Institute, Canberra (November, 2026).
  • Speaker at the 69th Annual Meeting of the Human  Factors and Ergonomics Society, Chicago, USA (October, 2025).
  • Keynote Speaker at the VERSUS UAS/C-UAS, Camp Grafton, Devils Lake, Noth Dakota, USA, August 19, 2025 (event for congressional delegation, US DoD command, Chief of Staff – Army, Air Force, Special Warfare Command; August, 2025).
  • Guest Speaker at the National Science Week Outreach Activity at Ainslie School (for kindy, 1/2 and 5/6 classes) talking about Aviation and STEM, Drones and drones show activity along with the ADF Drone Racing Team (August, 2025).
  • Moderator of the International Webinar ‘Training Technical Group and Extended Reality Technical Group Webinar: Innovative Training Approaches to Evaluate and Enhance Human Performance’ by the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society Training Technical Group and Extended Reality Technical Group Webinars (August, 2025).
  • Invited Judge at the ADM Women in Defence Awards (August, 2025).
  • Invited Speaker at the Loitering Munitions Conference, London, UK (November 18, 2025).
  • Invited Panellist at the ‘War Cabinet, an exclusive on-hour special event, presented by Chirs Uhlmann (August 11, 2025).
  • Invited Speaker at the first Drone Capability Coalition Summit 2025 – Riga, Latvia (May 28, 2025).
  • Keynote Speaker at the NATO S&T UxS Workshop – Tallinn, Estonia (May 13, 2025).
  • Keynote Speaker at the Avalon Australian International Airshow, SkyTech conference by the Australian Association of Uncrewed Systems (March 24, 2025)
  • Keynote Speaker at the 2024 Business NSW Sydney Drone Summit – organized by Business NSW and the Embassy of Latvia, Sydney, Australia (November 28, 2024).
  • Presenter at the Defence Human Science Symposium – Melbourne, Australia (December 2-4, 2024).
  • Keynote Speaker at the Defence Trailblazer Partner Forum – Adelaide, Australia (December 3, 2024).
  • Keynote Speaker and Organizer of the Event “Lessons Learnt from the Use of Drones in the War in Ukraine” – Old Parliament House, Canberra (October 2024).
  • Invited Speaker at the 1st International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Forum – ICAO Headquarters, Montreal, Canada (September, 2024).
  • Invited Presenter at the Documentary Series ‘War Machine: Modern Warfare”, WildBear Entertainment (August, 2024)
  • Keynote Speaker on the “Geopolitics and Conflict” at the Hilma Foundation (March, 2024)
  • Invited Speaker/ Panelist at the UNSW AI Symposium “AI & Defence” (November 2023, Sydney, Australia).
  • Invited Panelist at the “Women in Career Symposium” (November 2023, Sydney, Australia).
  • Invited Panelist at the “Expert roundtable on dangerous driving” at the ACT Government (November 2023, Canberra, Australia).
  • Invited Keynote Speaker at the Safety Leadership Forum “Improving young operators’ risk management behaviour” (October, 2022; Australia).
  • Invited Speaker for the Podcast by Aviation Safety Community “Cognitive-based training” (October, 2022; Australia).
  • Invited Speaker at the Webinar by Royal Aeronautical Society (September, 2022; Australia).
  • Invited Speaker by the ‘Canberra Times” – Ukrainians rally to ensure that the world won’t forget war, Ukrainian community rally to ensure world won't forget war | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT(March, 2022).
  • Leading Spokesperson on the topics of Ukraine from UNSW (March, 2022).
  • Al Jazeera “China Eastern Crash adds to Boeing’s woes in Chinese market” (March, 2022).

 

Selected Media Engagement (recent):

 


My Teaching

I am Course Convenor, Lecturer and Tutor in the following courses at UNSW Canberra:

ZEIT1803 - Introduction to Human Factors in Aviation

ZEIT3801 - Advanced Aviation Safety 

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Location

UNSW Canberra
Canberra

Contact

02 5114 5184

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ORCID as entered in ROS

orcid_icon https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0147-8455

UNSW Sydney NSW 2052 Australia Telephone +61 2 93851000
Authorised by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
UNSW CRICOS Provider Code: 00098G ABN: 57 195 873 179

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