Celebrating Women in National Security

The ANU National Security College, in collaboration with Accenture, has launched a podcast mini-series to celebrate women from across the Australian national security community.

The series — part of the National Security Podcast — aims to explore the experiences of eminent and up-and-coming security professionals to inspire and expand the next generation of female talent.

Episode are released monthly and hosted by Gai Brodtmann, National Security College Futures Council member, and Meg Tapia, Principal Director for Defence and National Security at Accenture.

Episodes

Introducing: The Women in National Security series

In this episode, we share something special – a taste of the new Women in National Security (WiNS) mini-series, produced in collaboration with Accenture.

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Nina Davidson from the Office of National Intelligence

In this episode, hosts Gai Brodtmann and Meg Tapia are joined by Nina Davidson, Deputy Director-General Intelligence at the Office of National Intelligence. In this candid conversation they explore the myths surrounding national security, reveal the national intelligence issues on Nina’s radar, and reflect on her career journey so far.

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Australia’s first Space Commander Catherine Roberts

In this episode, hosts Gai Brodtmann and Meg Tapia are joined by Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts, the inaugural head of the Australian Defence Force’s new Space Command. They delve into what it means for Australia to have a Space Command, the importance of gender diversity in STEM, and Catherine’s advice for taking control of your own career.

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Abigail Bradshaw, Head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre

In this episode, hosts Gai Brodtmann, National Security College Futures Council member, and Meg Tapia, Principal Director for Defence and National Security at Accenture, are joined by Head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and Deputy Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Abigail Bradshaw CSC. Abigail explains the steps the ACSC has taken to achieve gender balance in their workforce and how they support working families. They also discuss her love of leadership and approach to helping others become amazing leaders themselves.

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Catherine Burn, Deputy Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service

In her first-ever public interview in the role, Deputy Director-General of Capability and Corporate Management for the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) Catherine Burn joins Gai Brodtmann, National Security College Futures Council member, and Meg Tapia, Principal Director for Defence and National Security at Accenture for the fourth episode in the Women in National Security mini-series. They talk about the reality of Australian spies, the diverse range of recruits that ASIS are looking for, and Catherine’s unique career influences.

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Julie-Ann Guivarra, Group Manager of the Strategic Policy Group, National Indigenous Australians Agency

In this episode, hosts Gai Brodtmann, National Security College Futures Council member, and Meg Tapia, Principal Director for Defence and National Security at Accenture, are joined by Julie-Ann Guivarra, Group Manager of the Strategic Policy Group in the National Indigenous Australians Agency. Julie-Ann talks us through her experience in rising to the challenges and expectations that come with being the first in many things, and shares with us her personal views on the recent changes to Indigenous policy.

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Dr Elise Stephenson, gender researcher and Fulbright Scholar

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, hosts Gai Brodtmann, National Security College Futures Council member, and Meg Tapia, Principal Director for Defence and National Security at Accenture, are joined by Dr Elise Stephenson, ANU National Security College Fellow and Research Fellow at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership. Drawing on recent data, Elise discusses the barriers for women entering and progressing within the national security domain, and outlines the systemic issues that stand in the way of gender equality.

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Sophia Hamblin Wang, Chief Operating Officer for Mineral Carbonation International

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, hosts Gai Brodtmann, National Security College Futures Council member, and Meg Tapia, Principal Director for Defence and National Security at Accenture, are joined by Sophia Hamblin Wang, Chief Operating Officer for Mineral Carbonation International. Sophia provides a realistic and hopeful outlook for the state of Australia’s climate change issues, and shares how her upbringing in tropical Queensland and exposure to a range of natural disasters shaped her interest in carbon capture technology.

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Lindy Cameron, Chief Executive Officer of the UK National Cyber Security Centre

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, hosts Gai Brodtmann, National Security College Futures Council member, and Meg Tapia, Principal Director for Defence and National Security at Accenture, are joined by Lindy Cameron, Chief Executive Officer of the UK National Cyber Security Centre. As the first international guest on the WiNS mini-series, Lindy explains the need for the United Kingdom and Australia to share their experiences in dealing with cyber threats, and increase both nations’ capabilities. Lindy discusses her approach to partnering across government and industry, in an effort to enable citizens to participate confidently in the online world.

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Women in National Security: Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper, Associate Professor at the ANU National Security College

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, hosts Gai Brodtmann, National Security College Futures Council member, and Meg Tapia, Principal Director for Defence and National Security at Accenture, are joined by Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper, Associate Professor at the ANU National Security College and Honorary Adjunct Associate Professor at Bond University. They explore whether legislation is keeping up with contemporary human rights issues arising from the exploration of space. Danielle also provides a legal perspective on a range of national security issues, including the delicate balance between national security secrecy and the need for transparency.

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Women in National Security LIVE with Nina Davidson, Catherine Burn and Abigail Bradshaw

To celebrate the final episode of the Women in National Security mini-series, the ANU National Security College hosted a networking event and live podcast recording with more than 250 women at the National Gallery of Australia. Our hosts Gai Brodtmann, National Security College Futures Council member, and Meg Tapia, Principal Director for Defence and National Security at Accenture, were joined by Deputy Director-General at the Office of National Intelligence Nina Davidson, Deputy-Director General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service Catherine Burn, and Head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre Abigail Bradshaw. The panel answer audience questions, addressing issues of gender equality, leadership, and authenticity. Drawing on live opinion polling results at the event, Gai and Meg discuss personal heroes and the use of gender targets, among other topics.

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Source

Celebrating Women in National Security

Australian Government logo
‘The National Security College is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Government and The Australian National University’

Updated:  19 March 2024/Responsible Officer:  Head of College, National Security College/Page Contact:  Web administrator