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Chris Mills says he is looking forward to working with UNSW’s research community to collectively understand Australia's complex future defence and national security challenges.  

Chris Mills AM CSC has been appointed the new Director of the UNSW Defence Research Institute (DRI). The appointment comes after DRI’s inaugural director Vice Admiral Paul Maddison retired earlier this year. 

The DRI works across all UNSW faculties to build and support trusted partnerships that bring government, industry and academia together to deliver outcomes for Defence and the defence industry. Its mission is to transform UNSW’s cutting-edge research into defence capabilities that empower Australia and its allies to adapt to the ever-evolving security landscape. 

Mr Mills said he is extremely motivated and excited by the opportunity to work with the UNSW research community, in addition to working collaboratively across the University’s existing Defence strategic initiatives such as the Defence Trailblazer and Security & Defence PLuS Alliance.  

“I am thrilled to be joining the UNSW Defence Research Institute as its new Director. It’s a privilege to be able to work alongside UNSW’s world-leading researchers and academics as we partner with industry and Defence. Our collective endeavour is to work to understand Australia's complex future defence and national security challenges, striving to secure advantage that will contribute to our nation’s ongoing and future prosperity.”

UNSW Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation), Professor Stephen Rodda, welcomed Mr Mills and said he looked forward to working closely with him to deliver top-tier defence and national security research to bolster Australia’s security.

“Mr Mills’s unique experience with Defence will also help DRI establish enduring partnerships with Defence and defence industries internationally,” he said. 

A career in Defence

Following a 30-plus year career in the Army, including multiple active deployments locally and overseas, Mr Mills has held positions of Director Joint Training and Exercises, Director General Modernisation Army, and Director General Force Options and Plans. 

Post active service, he has worked with the Department of Defence developing strategies to grow the Australian Defence workforce. He also led the delivery of the 20-year Defence Capability Plan, the 2020 Force Structure Plan, working closely with senior leaders across the Australian Defence Force, the Chief Defence Scientist and Defence Science Technology Group.

More recently, Mr Mills worked as a consultant with EY specialising in defence, capability management and business transformation, exemplified through his leadership in the design of the Australian Naval Nuclear Submarine Safety Regulator.

Mr Mills will begin his position on Monday 12 August.