Oleksandra Molloy

Dr. Oleksandra Molloy is a Senior Lecturer in Human Factors and Aviation Safety at the University of New South Wales (Canberra), leading the Human Factors Research Lab within the School of Science. She holds a PhD in Aviation (UNSW), MSc in Human Factors (University of Nottingham), and multiple advanced qualifications in education and aviation safety. Her research focuses on multi-disciplinary areas including transport safety (aviation and road), uncrewed systems, cognitive training, and AI applications in safety monitoring. She has secured significant grants from the Department of Defence, Australian Research Council, and others. Dr. Molloy chairs key professional groups like the Human Factors Ergonomics Society Training Technical Group and the Australasian College of Road Safety Women in Road Safety Network. Notable awards include the 2024 Best Researcher Award and Woman of the Year from the HFE WOMAN Society. She actively contributes to policy debates on drones in conflict zones and modern defense strategies through media engagements with ABC News, Al Jazeera, and The Strategist.

Education:

• PhD in Aviation (UNSW, 2018)
• MSc in Human Factors (University of Nottingham, 2013)
• Diploma in Aviation Safety (IATA, 2023)
• Master of Education (Ukraine, 2008)

Research Interests: Leveraging human factors principles to enhance safety in aviation, autonomous systems, and road transport. Current projects include AI-assisted cognitive load monitoring for aircrew and analyzing drone usage in modern warfare. Her work often bridges theoretical research with practical applications, such as developing training programs for safer driver/pilot behavior.

Grants & Projects:

• Defence Trailblazer Program grants (2023-2026)
• Road Safety Innovation Fund (2021-2023)
• Australian Research Council Discovery Projects (2014-2025)

Her 15 most recent articles focus on AI-driven safety analysis, driver/pilot behavior interventions, and drone warfare applications. Awards highlight her transformative contributions to both academic and applied safety domains.