Professor Michael Webb
Executive Director
Defence and Security Institute
Division of Research and Innovation
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Michael joined the University of Adelaide in July 2008 where he is currently Executive Director of the Defence & Security Institute. In his current role Michael provides industry and government a single point of contact within the University of Adelaide for Defence, Cyber and Space related research and education.
Recent achievements include: (1) Michael’s leadership in industry engagement in the now awarded Defence Trailblazer, Concept to Sovereign Capability Program; and (2) Michael’s academic leadership of the “Understanding Mass Influence” study undertaken for Defence’s Information Warfare Division.
Prior to his current role, Michael led and contributed to a diverse range of applied research at the University of Adelaide including: development of a C4ISR stress modelling methodology for application to military operations (applied to Special Forces missions and joint amphibious operations); development of an information architecture for Australia’s highly dispersed Electronic Warfare capability; development of a technology forecasting methodology for Australia’s Special Forces; development of a prototype Strategic Common Picture (STRATCP) for Defence’s Strategic Command Group; as well as the development of various decision support and modelling tools for military communications.
Michael has a PhD in physics (millimetre wave optics) from the University of St Andrews, a Masters’ degree in mathematical psychology, and Bachelors’ degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Adelaide. Prior to working in academia, Michael worked in the Defence Science and Technology Group, for a little over 20 years. While at DST Group he undertook and led research in: over-the-horizon and microwave radar; signals intelligence; and command & control. Michael received an Australian Operational Service Medal (Iraq and ICAT) for his leadership of a mixed military and civilian team in the evaluation of Australia’s deployed communications capability in the Middle East Area of Operations during 2006. In 2014 Michael received an award for excellence for his contribution to enhancing the safety of Australia’s deployed troops by quantifying the electromagnetic interference experienced by improvised explosive device detectors. Michael has also received awards for papers in the Microwave, Theory and Techniques Symposium Series, and a commendation for the David Marr prize in Cognitive Science, Chicago 2004.
Michael is passionate about bringing academic, industry and Defence capability together to enhance our collective ability to secure Australia’s future.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2023 - ongoing Executive Director, Defence & Security University of Adelaide 2010 - ongoing Deputy Director, Defence, Centre for Defence Communications and Information Networking University of Adelaide 2008 - 2009 Senior Analyst, Defence, The Centre for Defence Communications and Information Networking University of Adelaide 2002 - 2008 Head of Group (Principal Research Scientist) DSTO, Department of Defence 1995 - 2002 Senior Research Scientist DSTO, Department of Defence 1992 - 1995 Research Scientist DSTO, Department of Defence 1989 - 1992 Research Scientist Cadet at University of St Andrews, UK DSTO, Department of Defence 1988 - 1989 Antenna Design Engineer DSTO, Department of Defence 1987 - ongoing Electronics Design Engineer Practel Pty Ltd 1986 - ongoing Antenna and Hi-Fi Loudspeaker Design Engineer Duntech Pty Ltd 1985 - ongoing Research Assistant University of Adelaide 1984 - ongoing Distribution Engineer Electricity Trust of South Australia 1983 - ongoing RF Design Engineer Codan Pty Ltd -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2010 University of Adelaide Australia Master of Medical Science, 1989 - 1992 University of St Andrews United Kingdom PhD, 1979 - 1982 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), -
Postgraduate Training
Date Title Institution Country 2007 - 2007 Executive Leadership Development Program Defence Science Technology Organisation, Department of Defence Australia
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Journals
Year Citation 2016 Headland, D., Withayachumnankul, W., Webb, M., Ebendorff-Heidepriem, H., Luiten, A., & Abbott, D. (2016). Analysis of 3D-printed metal for rapid-prototyped reflective terahertz optics. Optics Express, 24(15), 13 pages.
Scopus26 WoS24 Europe PMC32005 Lee, M., & Webb, M. (2005). Modeling individual differences in cognition. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 12(4), 605-621.
Scopus101 WoS87 Europe PMC462003 Smet, P., Calbert, G., Scholz, J., Gossink, D., Kwok, H. W., & Webb, M. (2003). The effects of material, tempo and search depth on win-loss ratios in chess. Lecture Notes in Computer Science/Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence, 2903, 501-510.
1991 Webb, M. R. (1991). A MM-Wave Four-Port Quasi-Optical Circulator. International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 12, 45-63. 1991 Webb, M. R. (1991). A Millimetre Wave Pyroelectric Detector. International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 12, 1225-1231. -
Conference Papers
Year Citation 2016 Nguyen, H., Webb, M., & Naguleswaran, S. (2016). Achieving policy defined networking for military operations. In Proceedings of the 2016 Military Communications and Information Systems Conference (MilCIS) Vol. 1 (pp. 1-6). Canberra, Australia: IEEE.
DOI Scopus32016 Headland, D., Withayachumnankul, W., Webb, M., Ebendorff-Heidepriem, H., Luiten, A., & Abbott, D. (2016). Reflective terahertz optics using 3D-printed metals. In 2016 41st International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz waves (IRMMW-THz) Vol. 2016-November (pp. 1-2). Copenhagen: IEEE.
DOI2015 Mihailescu, M., Nguyen, H., & Webb, M. (2015). Enhancing wireless communications with software defined networking. In Proceedings of the Military Communications and Information Systems Conference Vol. one (pp. 1-6). Canberra, ACT, Australia: IEEE.
DOI Scopus13 WoS22014 Headland, D., Withayachumnankul, W., Webb, M., Upadhyay, A., Bhaskaran, M., Sriram, S., & Abbott, D. (2014). Dielectric hole lattice for terahertz diffractive optics with high transmission. In International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, IRMMW-THz (pp. 2 pages). Tucson, AZ: IEEE.
DOI2013 Britton, M., Webb, M., & Naguleswaran, S. (2013). A new methodology for the identification of operational stress points and assessment of technology solutions. In Proceedings of the Military Communications and Information Systems Conference, MilCIS 2013 (pp. 1-6). United States: IEEE.
DOI2013 Headland, D., Withayachumnankul, W., Webb, M., & Abbott, D. (2013). Beam deflection lens at terahertz frequencies using a hole lattice metamaterial. In Proceedings of the IEEE 38th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter and Terahertz Waves, IRMMW-THz 2013 (pp. 1-2). USA: IEEE.
DOI Scopus62013 Webb, M., Britton, M. S., & Naguleswaran, S. (2013). C3 Stress Relief: A New Methodology for the Identification of Operational C3 Stress Points and Emerging Technology Solutions. In MSG-111 Symposium on “M&S Support to Transitioning Forces and Emerged/Emerging Disruptive M&S Technologies”. Sydney, Australia. 2013 Headland, D., Withayachumnankul, W., Webb, M., & Abbott, D. (2013). Beam deflection lens using a hole lattice metamaterial at terahertz frequencies. In IRMMW-THz Conference. Mainz, Germany. 2011 Hughes, S., & Webb, M. (2011). Developing a Strategic Common Picture in Defence. In Defence Human Sciences Symposium. Edinburgh, South Australia: Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Department of Defence. 2011 Webb, M. R., & Hughes, S. (2011). Test and evaluation of a Strategic Common Picture. In Systems Engineering Test and Evaluation Conference. Canberra, Australia: Systems Engineering Society of Australia. 2009 Webb, M. R. (2009). Socio-cognitive factors for the design of content-responsive networks (invited). In Network Centric Warfare Conference. Canberra: Defence IQPC. 2009 Webb, M., Rumsewicz, M., & Roughan, M. (2009). Measurement, modelling, and management as core competencies for effective and efficient network operations. In Proceedings of the MilCIS 2009: the way ahead (pp. 1-5). Australia: UNSW. 2005 Paradowski, M., Ewing, G., & Webb, M. (2005). Individual and group decision-making on an optimal stopping problem. In CogSci 2005: XXVII Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society, July 21-23, 2005, Stresa, italy (pp. 2536). United States: Cognitive Science Society. 2005 Webb, M., & Lee, M. (2005). Modeling individual differences in category learning using ALCOVE. In K. Forbus, D. Gentner, & T. Regier (Eds.), Proceedings of the Twenty-Sixth Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society (pp. 1440-1445). United States of America: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.. 2005 Ewing, G. J., Paradowski, M. J., & Webb, M. R. (2005). Individual and Mediated Group Decision-Making on an Optimal Stopping Problem — emergent group decision-making heuristics?. 2004 Ryan, P., Hart, B., Webb, M., & Wong, K. (2004). A tri-mode 802.11 baseband PHY mixed signal integrated circuit in 0.13 um CMOS. In D. Abbott, K. Eshraghian, C. A. Musca, D. Pavlidis, & N. Weste (Eds.), Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering Vol. 5274 (pp. 130-136). SPIE.
DOI2000 Webb, M. R. (2000). Human Cateogry Learning and Confidence. 1994 Smith, G. M., Unsworth, C. P., Webb, M. R., & Lesurf, J. C. G. (1994). Design, Analysis and Applications of High Performance, Permanently Magnetised, Quasi-Optical Faraday Rotators. Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). 1993 Smith, G. M., Webb, M., & Lesurf, J. C. G. (1993). High Performance Quasi-Optical Faraday Rotators. 1992 Smith, G. M., Harvey, A., Webb, M., & Lesurf, J. C. G. (1992). Quasi-Optical Techniques for mm-Wave Heterodyne Systems. 1991 Webb, M. R. (1991). A Millimetre Wave Pyroelectric Detector. 1990 Webb, M. R. (1990). A MM-Wave Four-Port Quasi-Optical Circulator. 1989 Webb, M. R. (1989). Ground Screen Effectiveness for HF Antennas. In ATERB/CSIRO (Radiophysics). Sydney, Australia. -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2016 Nguyen, H., Naguleswaran, S., & Webb, M. (2016). Emergency Communication in Australia: Current Situation and Future Directions. Poster session presented at the meeting of Proceedings of The 5th Disaster and Emergency Management Conference. Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. -
Report for External Bodies
Year Citation 2018 Britton, M. S., Northcote, B. S., & Webb, M. R. (2018). Final Report for Modelling the AIR 6500 Network: Phase 2. 2018 Britton, M. S., Northcote, B. S., & Webb, M. R. (2018). Final Report for Modelling the AIR 6500 Network: Phase 1. 2018 Ma-Wyatt, A. M., O'Rielly, J., Jerram, C., & Webb, M. (2018). Task analyses for Phase 6. 2014 Webb, M. R. (2014). RPDE QL101_JP3025PH1 Deployable SO Engineer Capability. 2014 Webb, M. R. (2014). Final_GRN_Report_elmTek-signed. 2014 Nguyen, H., & Webb, M. R. (2014). Wireless Mesh and Backhaul Solutions for Responder Check-in Systems. 2014 Webb, M. R. (2014). C3 Stress Analysis of Joint Amphibious Capability IERs. 2013 Webb, M. R., Wood, C. A., & Brown, M. (2013). Concept of Employment for the Defence Electronic Warfare Information Environment (T042-04-1). 2013 Webb, M. R., Wood, C. A., & Brown, M. (2013). RPDE Task 42 Electronic Order of Battle (EOB) Solution Development Phase Report (T042-04-5). 2013 Coyle, A., & Webb, M. R. (2013). DSIC JP2089PH2-3A Final Report. 2013 Coyle, A., Webb, M. R., & Britton, M. (2013). LMAES Wireless Technology Study Final Report. DSIC. 2012 Northcote, B., Webb, M. R., Britton, M., & Coyle, A. (2012). JP2047 Defence Tactical Communications Network - Tender Evaluation. DSIC: Depatment of Defence. 2012 Webb, M. R., & Britton, M. (2012). DSIC JP2089PH3A IP network v2. 2012 Webb, M. R., & Coyle, A. (2012). TDL Bakchaul Network Modelling in Support of JP2089. DSTO. 2012 Webb, M. R., Wood, C. A., Brown, M., Hayter, D., & Boorman, M. (2012). RPDE Task 42 Electronic Order of Battle (EOB) Options Development Phase Report (T042-03-02). 2012 Webb, M. R. (2012). Project Report for DSTO Air Operations Division on TDL Bakchaul Network Modelling in Support of JP2089. 2012 Webb, M. R. (2012). Report to DSTO Land Operations Division on Future Operating Command and Control Concepts for Special Forces. 2011 Webb, M. R. (2011). RPDE Task 38 STRATCP Strategic Common Picture, Task Evaluation Report (T38-04-12-01). 2011 Webb, M. R., & Wood, C. A. (2011). RPDE Task 42 Electronic Order of Battle (EOB) Discovery Phase Report (T042-02-03). Department of Defence. 2011 Webb, M. R. (2011). RPDE Task 38 STRATCP Concept of Operations Outline (T38-04-15-01). 2011 Webb, M. R., & Britton, M. (2011). Final Repot to DSTO LOD for C2 Concepts for Special Forces Project. 2011 Webb, M. R. (2011). Final Report to Lockheed Martin Australia for L-band / S-band RADAR Comparison. 2011 Priestnall, G., Filippidis, A., Sioutis, C., Webb, M. R., Campbell, P., Scott, W., & Coyle, A. (2011). JP 2089 Phase 2A DSTO Network Management System Trial Evaluation – Third Client Report (DSTO-CR-2010-0382). 2011 Webb, M. R., Yates, S., Porter, C., Britton, M., & Coyle, A. (2011). FLIMSY User Guide. 2011 Coyle, A., Nguyen, H., Naguleswaran, S., Britton, M., Porter, C., & Webb, M. R. (2011). SANLab Year 3 Report. 2011 Webb, M. R., & Britton, M. (2011). Command & Control Concepts for Special Forces Final Repot. DSTO: Department of Defence. 2011 Webb, M. R., & Porter, C. (2011). C3ID Language of Command Modelling Project - Final Report. DSTO: Department of Defence. 2011 Porter, C., Britton, M., & Coyle, A. (2011). Generic Maritime Combat Management System - User Guide. 2010 Britton, M., & Webb, M. R. (2010). Final Report to DSTO ISR Division for Network Engineering Support to JP 2096 (Surveillance Enhancement) ADIIB Test-bed Experimentation. 2010 Coyle, A., Nguyen, H., Naguleswaran, S., Britton, M., Porter, C., & Webb, M. R. (2010). SANLab Year 2 Report. 2010 Porter, C., Northcote, B., Britton, M., Warner, N., Webb, M. R., & Yates, S. (2010). FogNet Version 3.0 User Guide. 2010 Scott, W., Campbell, P., Webb, M. R., & Coyle, A. (2010). Modelling Architecture for Multi-TDL Network (MTN) Management. 2010 Priestnall, G., Filippidis, A., Sioutis, C., Webb, M. R., Campbell, P., Scott, W., . . . Northcote, B. (2010). JP 2089 Phase 2 DSTO Network Management System Trial Evaluation – Preliminary Client Report (DSTO-CR-2010-0317). 2010 Priestnall, G., Filippidis, A., Sioutis, C., Webb, M. R., Campbell, P., Scott, W., . . . Northcote, B. (2010). JP 2089 Phase 2 DSTO Network Management System Trial Evaluation – Initial Client Report (DSTO-CR-2010-0242). 2009 Webb, M. R., & Northcote, B. N. (2009). Extended Inmarsat GAN Analysis. 2009 Webb, M. R., & Porter, C. (2009). Final Report on Inmarsat GAN Lease Management Tool. 2008 Webb, M. R., & Northcote, B. N. (2008). Analysis of ADO Inmarsat Communications. 2006 Webb, M. R., McCarthy, J., Goodburn, D. P., Willans-Price, J., Kwiatkowski, M., Kerr, P., . . . Teffera, E. (2006). Operational Science and Technology Support Request: 59 — A study of the current joint operational information and C2 environment (DSTO–CR–2006–0299). 2003 Goodburn, D. P., Webb, M. R., & et al.. (2003). StarMap — A Defence Capability Visualisation Tool. 2001 Webb, M. R., & et al.. (2001). Abatis Usability Testing: Business Case Gathering and Usability Testing Report. 2001 Lee, M. D., Pincombe, B., Sollich, F., Webb, M., & Woodruff, C. (2001). Intelligence Value Estimation (DSTO–RR–0196). 1999 Zhang, L., Scholz, J., Ween, A., Simms, G., Krause, D., Pattison, T., . . . Sutton, D. (1999). Project SEA 1442 — DSTO Study Report (DSTO–CR–0113). 1994 Webb, M. R. (1994). The RCS of the Mark 92 STIR Antenna — Experimental Results. 1994 Webb, M. R., & et al.. (1994). AIR 5077 PDS Phase 1, Part 1 Capability Study Report — The nature of an integrated air defence system and its analysis. 1993 Gabb, A. P., Webb, M. R., & et al.. (1993). An Investigation into the Capability for Indigenous Development of AEW&C Aircraft Systems (ERL–0793–RE). 1989 Webb, M. R. (1989). The design of a high performance, multi-lobe antenna for Jindalee’s VHF Frequency Management System. -
Theses
Year Citation 2010 Webb, M. R. (2010). New methodologies for modelling individual differences in cognition. 1992 Webb, M. R. (1992). Millimetre wave quasi-optical signal processing systems. (PhD Thesis). -
Software
Year Citation 2012 Britton, M., Naguleswaran, S., Nguyen, H., Coyle, A., Yates, S., & Mihailescu, M. (2012). FogNet v4.0 [Computer Software]. 2011 Webb, M. R., Yates, S., Porter, C., Britton, M., & Coyle, A. (2011). FLow based Information Management SYstem (FLIMSY) [Computer Software].
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2024 Co-Supervisor Non-conventional threats in the Domain of Space: Contemporary Cases and Future Threats Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Adam Sell 2023 Co-Supervisor Understanding factors impacting the use of deception technology when used for defensive cyber operations. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Rich Munslow -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2017 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Towards Exposing Coordinating Inauthentic Groups on Social Media Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Derek Christopher Weber 2013 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Efficient Terahertz-Range Beam Control Using Flat Optics Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Daniel Jonathan Headland
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