Policy vs Practice: How Diversity Sparks Innovation

With a successful career in the defence, security and ICT sectors delivering technology based solutions and services, Christine Zeitz, the CEO of Leidos Australia, will discuss practical measures to build and develop a talented multidisciplinary workforce. Set against the back drop of scarce engineering resources and low participation rate of women in engineering in Australia, she will outline some approaches to address these challenges.

Christine will draw on her experience as the CEO of a technology/engineering based company to discuss the links between a diverse workforce and innovation and how to narrow the gap between policy and practice. She will discuss the important role of leaders in establishing the right settings to promote diversity and put rhetoric into action.

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July

The Queensland Defence Summit will bring together government, industry, academics and policy experts to examine Australia’s defence capabilities and strategic requirements spanning Far North Queensland and the broader Pacific.

August

The Women in Defence Industry Leadership Accelerator Program is specifically tailored for early-career formal and informal female STEM leaders in the defence industry who are transitioning from technical expert to technical leader. .

The Women in Defence Industry Leadership Accelerator Program is specifically tailored for early-career formal and informal female STEM leaders in the defence industry who are transitioning from technical expert to technical leader. .

September

The SIA’s eighth Submarine Science, Technology and Engineering Conference (SubSTEC8) will be held 21-23 September at Adelaide Oval, SA. Under the theme Pillar 1 through a Pillar 2 Lens – Advanced AUKUS Capabilities and the Submarine Deterrent.

October

The Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition has announced the 2026 edition of Australia’s largest land defence trade event will be held in Perth, Western Australia, from 6-8 October 2026. 

KADEX 2026, one of the largest defence industry exhibitions in Korea, is happening from 6 October to 10 October 2026.

The next ADM Women’s Walk will take place at Land Forces in Perth on the 7th October 2026.

The 4th Annual ADM Western Australia Defence Summit will take place at the Ritz Carlton Perth on 9 October 2026.

December

Adelaide has been confirmed as the host city for Undersea Defence Technology in 2026.