research security & defence
The Group of Eight strengthens Australia’s national security, sovereign capability and economic resilience through world-leading research, trusted international partnerships and leadership in critical and emerging technologies.
Go8 universities conduct more than 60% of Australia’s university‑based defence research, investing around $190 million annually in research that supports the nation’s defence, security and strategic objectives.
As geopolitical competition intensifies and technological change accelerates, the Go8 plays a critical role in advancing Australia’s capabilities in areas including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, information security and defence innovation. Through collaboration with trusted domestic and international partners, the Go8 helps ensure Australia remains secure, resilient and globally competitive.
Foreign Interference
Research security and research excellence go hand in hand.
The Group of Eight recognises that foreign interference presents a serious challenge to universities and research organisations worldwide. Protecting Australia’s research, intellectual property and critical technologies requires vigilance, sophistication and strong partnerships across government, industry and the university sector.
The Go8 is a founding member of the Universities Foreign Interference Taskforce (UFIT), which helps strengthen Australia’s resilience against foreign interference while maintaining the international collaboration that underpins research excellence.
The threat of foreign interference must be managed effectively with our closest strategic partners. However, effective management requires nuance, vigilance and balance. It could impact negatively both economically and socially if there are policy missteps, regardless of how well intentioned.
Vicki Thomson
Chief Executive, The Group of Eight
Defence Research & Cybersecurity
Go8 universities undertake more than 60% of the Australian university sector’s defence-related research, with world-leading expertise across disciplines critical to national security and defence capability.
Our universities are internationally recognised in fields including oceanography, aerospace engineering, materials science, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, automation and control systems, computer science, energy technologies, remote sensing, cyber security and marine engineering.
All Go8 universities are members of the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP), demonstrating their status as trusted and secure partners for Australia’s defence and national security community.
The Go8 also plays a leadership role in strengthening Australia’s cyber resilience. As a member of the Executive Cyber Council (ECC), the Group contributes to implementing Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy. Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson co-chairs the ECC’s Sovereign Cyber Capability Working Group, which supports public-private collaboration to strengthen Australia’s domestic cyber industry and sovereign cyber capabilities.
Group of Eight Defence & Security Committee
TThe Go8 Defence & Security Committee brings together senior expertise from across Australia’s leading research universities and the national security community.
Co-Chaired by former Chief of Army, Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Rick Burr AO and former Director General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, Major General (Ret’d) Paul Symon AO, the Committee connects expertise in defence, intelligence, security, technology, research and public policy with Government and Defence decision makers. ,
The Committee reflects the Go8’s role as a strategic national asset, helping ensure Australia’s research capability contributes directly to defence preparedness, national resilience and long-term sovereign capability.
Watch our Debate@Go8 podcast featuring the Committee’s co-chairs discussing the role of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities in advancing national security, research integrity and innovation.