Dr Oleksandra Molloy

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.