Prof Michael Webb
Executive Director, Defence and National Security
Space and Defence and National Security
Research & 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.
| 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 |
| 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), |
| Date | Title | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 - 2007 | Executive Leadership Development Program | Defence Science Technology Organisation, Department of Defence | Australia |
| 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. Scopus27 WoS26 Europe PMC4 |
| 2005 | Lee, M., & Webb, M. (2005). Modeling individual differences in cognition. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 12(4), 605-621. Scopus103 WoS97 Europe PMC54 |
| 2003 | 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. |
| 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) (pp. 1-6). Canberra, Australia: IEEE. DOI Scopus3 |
| 2016 | 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. DOI |
| 2015 | Mihailescu, M., Nguyen, H., & Webb, M. (2015). Enhancing wireless communications with software defined networking. In Proceedings of the Military Communications and Information Systems Conference (pp. 1-6). Canberra, ACT, Australia: IEEE. DOI Scopus14 WoS2 |
| 2014 | 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. DOI |
| 2013 | 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. DOI |
| 2013 | 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 Scopus6 WoS1 |
| 2013 | 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. DOI |
| 2000 | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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., Campbell, P., & Scott, W. (2010). JP 2089 phase 2 DSTO network managment system trial evaluation: preliminary client report. Australia. |
| 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. |
| 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). |
| 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]. |
| 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 |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Non-conventional threats in the Domain of Space: Contemporary Cases and Future Threats | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full 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 |
| 2023 | Co-Supervisor | Understanding factors impacting the use of deception technology when used for defensive cyber operations. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Rich Munslow |
| 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 |