Research Theme

Defence, Security and Space

States leverage a range of technological options available to them to strengthen their sovereignty and national security. Many of these technological options are now developed by the private sector, giving rise to new opportunities and changing international power dynamics.

Research Projects

Projects undertaken by JBC members in this area explore the political, regulatory, and legal frameworks surrounding defence, security, and outer space. This includes measuring space power, the use of chemical and biological weapons, and the cybersecurity of space assets.

Understanding the Law Applicable to Information Warfare - Dr Stacey Henderson

Information warfare is a key emerging trend in homeland security. However, there is great uncertainty regarding both where the legal boundaries lie and strategically, where Australia might like them to be.

This project examined the defining characteristics of Information warfare, how it is currently applied in Australia, and the relevant domestic and international laws that apply to its characterisation and use.

A JBC Policy Perspective on this topic is available here and a public report was produced from this project which is available here.

Chief Investigator: Professor Melissa de Zwart (University of Adelaide), Associate Professor Stacey Henderson (Flinders University), and Professor Matthew Stubbs (University of Adelaide)

Grant Funder: Department of Defence – Strategic Policy Division Grant

Funding: $123,604.80

Member Publications

Stockemer, D., & Bordeleau, J.-N. (2025). Does Country Setting Make a Difference?

Stockemer, D., & Bordeleau, J.-N. (2025). Conspiracy Theories and their Believers: A Comparative Outlook. (Elements in Comparative Political Behavior). Cambridge University Press

Featured Perspective

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Our People

Dr Melissa-Ellen Dowling

A social scientist and a senior lecturer with the JBC. Melissa’s research focuses on the ways in which liberal democracy can be challenged, sustained, and enriched in a digitising world.

Host Institution: Flinders University

Media Expertise: extremist ideologies, political violence, disinformation, foreign interference

Dr Nick Bordeleau

A Research Fellow with the JBC. Nick's research explores the intersection of political behaviour and democracy, and the role of citizens in democracy.

Host Institution: Flinders University

Media Expertise: democracy, elections, conspiracy beliefs, youth in democracy

Dr Leoni Connah

Lecturer in international relations, with research interests in South Asian security, postcolonial politics, human rights and feminism.

Host Institution: Flinders University

Media Expertise: South Asia, Kashmir conflict, feminism, human rights, politics

Dr Intifar Chowdhury

Lecturer in government and youth research, passionate about writing to better the political representation of all young Australians in our democracy.

Host Institution: Flinders University

Media Expertise: policy education, government, housing, politics, voting behaviour, youth, elections, environmental politics

Professor Marinella Marmo

A leading expert on human mobility, human rights and gendered criminology.

Host Institution: Flinders University

Media Expertise: human rights, civil liberties, immigration, modern slavery, transnational crime

Dr Naser Pourazad

A Senior Lecturer in Marketing, focused on strategic brand management, consumer behaviour, and digital transformation through experiential learning approaches.

Host Institution: Flinders University

Media Expertise: business, economics, finance, marketing, digital marketing, strategic brand management

The Jeff Bleich Centre was established to undertake world-leading research, to strengthen the core values and institutions of democratic societies.

Most of our research projects are externally-funded through competitive grants, contracted research, and philanthropic donations. Funding sources have included the Australian Research Council (ARC), SmartSat CRC, Defence, the Office of National Intelligence and the Australian Space Agency.

The JBC encourages and actively promotes collaborative research with national and international institutions. Collaborations have included work with the University of Adelaide, Monash University, Griffith University, the Australian National University, the University of Virginia (USA), Arizona State University, the University of Ottawa, the Victoria Electoral Commission, Defence Innovation Partnership, South Australian Space Industry Centre, the Electoral Commission of Queensland, and the European Space Policy Institute.