Dr Nigel McGinty – PhD(ANU), BEng(RMIT)

Dr Nigel McGinty is the Chief Technology Officer – Science Strategy, Communications and International Engagement, within the Science Engagement and Impact Division of the Defence Science and Technology Group.

Dr McGinty is responsible for science strategy and policy direction and outcomes for DSTG. Ensuring One Defence alignment and the advocacy of science and technology across the department. Dr McGinty also leads the National Security Science and Technology program which coordinates and fosters the development of science and technology across Government to enhance Australia's national security. Supporting national security Dr McGinty created the Safeguarding Australia S&T Challenges which brings together the university and industry sectors to develop innovative capabilities.

Previously, Dr McGinty was the Program Leader Integrated Force with the responsibility of leading DST's contributions to the strategic centre including Force Design, joint concepts, whole-of-force experimentation and simulation, Force Integration and strategy. In supporting the development of the 2020 Force Structure Plan Nigel led a team of over 100 analysts and scientists supporting the planning and rigorous analytical foundations. Dr McGinty was the lead advocate for advancing Defence Science and Technology and the enhanced Defence Innovation ecosystem with the creation of the Capability Acceleration Fund.

Before this Dr McGinty led the Strategy and Joint Force Branch where he applied analytical approaches to shape strategic thinking in Defence and national security and capabilities to be joint and integrated by design to maximise Defence effectiveness. The branch also examines future operating environments and concepts, including emerging and disruptive technologies, and applies scientific analysis towards understanding the strategic context.

Within The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP), Dr McGinty chaired the Executive College panel on Horizon Scanning, Technology Foresight and Innovation. Also, as part of the Next Generation Technologies Fund, Dr McGinty established the international Emerging and Disruptive Technology Symposium on series that examines future technology opportunities.

Previously, Dr McGinty led the Technology Forecasting and Futures Group which undertook to inform Defence's strategic planning to safeguard Australia against the strategic surprise of emerging and disruptive technologies. Prior to this position, Dr McGinty helped to shape the S&T landscape considered by DST Group and broader Defence in his position as Head of Future Strategies within Science Strategy and Policy Branch. In this role, he worked directly in support of the development of the 2015 and 2013 White Papers and the 2011 Force Structure Review. Dr McGinty was also responsible for managing DST Group's Technical Risk Assessments and certification of all major Defence capability projects.

Dr McGinty has received two Defence Gold Commendations, has a PhD in Telecommunications Engineering from the Australian National University and a Bachelor of Electronic Engineering from RMIT University. Nigel is a long term member of the IEEE.