Prakash Gopal

Dr. Prakash Gopal is a Lecturer at the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong. He concurrently serves as an Academic Fellow at the Australia-India Institute (University of Melbourne) and a Non-Resident Fellow at the United States Studies Centre, Sydney. His research focuses on India’s foreign/security policy, Indo-Pacific maritime security, and critical infrastructure protection. Prior to academia, he served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the Indian Navy for 21 years, commanding an anti-submarine corvette and specializing in communications/electronic warfare.

Education:

• PhD (2018–2023): University of Wollongong, ANCORS
• Research Fellow (2016–2018): National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi

Research Interests: His work bridges military strategy and policy analysis, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region. Key themes include maritime domain awareness, naval warfare modernization, and the strategic implications of emerging technologies. He emphasizes practical frameworks for securing littoral zones and critical infrastructure.

Teaching & Supervision: Coordinates the core master’s course SEA 908: Contemporary Maritime Security Issues in the Indo-Pacific and supervises PhD students on topics like maritime domain awareness in the South China Sea and maritime law enforcement in the Philippines. He also co-supervises doctoral research on US national security and Indonesia’s strategic maritime routes.

Funding & Grants:

• 2024: Enhancing Australia-India Bilateral Trade & Maritime Security Relationship (DFAT-funded)
• 2024: On Sound Moorings: Securing Illawarra’s Offshore Wind Energy Infrastructure (UOW grant)

Service & Leadership: Serves as Head of Postgraduate Studies (HDR Governance) at ANCORS and volunteers with Marine Rescue NSW. His professional networks span government, academia, and think tanks across Asia-Pacific.