Rate My Professor Oleksandra Molloy

Dr. Oleksandra Molloy is a Senior Lecturer in Human Factors and Aviation Safety and the Lead of the Human Factors Research Lab in the School of Science at the University of New South Wales (Canberra). She earned her PhD in Aviation/Human Factors from the School of Aviation, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales in 2018; MSc in Human Factors from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham in 2013; Diploma in Aviation Safety from the International Air Transport Association in 2023; Graduate Research Diplomas in Theory and Methodology of Professional Education from Flight Academy of National Aviation University in 2013 and National University of Educational Management in 2011; and Master of Education/English and Bachelor of Education/English from State Teachers' Training University in Ukraine in 2008 and 2007, respectively. Dr. Molloy has served as Aviation Discipline Coordinator and Academic Board Member at UNSW Canberra, and holds leadership positions including Chair of the Council of Technical Groups of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (USA), Board Director and Vice President of Education at the Advanced Air Mobility Institute (USA), Board Director and Director of Education at Women in Aviation (Australian Chapter), and Chair of the Human Factors Ergonomics Society Training Technical Group (USA).

Her research specializes in uncrewed/autonomous systems, human factors, safety, and risk management in aviation and road transport. She led the first evidence-based study on drones in the war in Ukraine, supported by the Australian Army Research Centre, Department of Defence, and directs Defence Trailblazer projects with partners like CAE and Praetorian Aeronautics. In collaboration with the Defence Flight Safety Bureau, she developed short courses for the Aviation Safety Officer Advanced program. As Chief Investigator, she has secured funding from the Department of Defence, Australian Research Council, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and the Arts, Transport Canberra and ACT Services, and Department of Education. Major awards include Academic of the Year (2025, Australian Defence Industry Awards), Woman of the Year (2024, HFE WOMAN, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society), Winner in Research & Development (2024, ADM Women in Defence Awards), Best PhD Thesis (2019, UNSW Sydney Airport HDR Prize), and Best Student Paper (2018, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society). Key publications comprise 'Drones in Modern Warfare: Lessons Learnt from the War in Ukraine' (2024), 'Improving young drivers' speed compliance through a single dose of feedback' (2023), 'Why Autonomous Vehicles Are Not Ready Yet: A Multi-Disciplinary Review of Problems, Attempted Solutions, and Future Directions' (2025), 'Which cognitive training intervention can improve young drivers’ speed management on the road?' (2019), and 'Applications of Machine Learning in Assessing Cognitive Load of Uncrewed Aerial System Operators and in Enhancing Training: A Systematic Review' (2025). Dr. Molloy supervises PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers, delivers keynotes at NATO and ICAO events, and contributes expert commentary to BBC, ABC, and parliamentary inquiries, shaping discourse on aviation safety, defence, and national security.