Professor Samuel Drake

Professor

College of Science and Engineering

place Tonsley
GPO Box 2100, ADELAIDE, SA, 5001

Sam Drake is a specialist in Electromagnetic Systems Spectrum Security, focusing on safeguarding information integrity across electromagnetic transmissions. He holds a Bachelor of Science with first-class honours from the University of Melbourne, where he explored chaos in special relativistic dynamics. Sam completed his PhD at the University of Adelaide, studying axisymmetric space-times in general relativity, and later pursued postdoctoral research at the University of Padua on non-Keplerian disks around rotating stars.

Sam transitioned to the Australian public service as a research scientist, representing Australia in international collaborations on electromagnetic security. He has partnered with Raytheon and Boeing to develop advanced systems for Australian fighter jets. As co-director of the Centre for Defence Electromagnetic Research and Training, Sam co-created a master's course in Electromagnetic Systems and Spectrum Operations, preparing students for strategic roles in defence.

Qualifications
  • BSc.(Hons 1st Class), The University of Melbourne
  • Grad. Dip. Scientific Leadership, The University of Melbourne
  • PhD, The University of Adelaide
Honours, awards and grants
  • Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE)
  • Editorial advisory board American Journal of Physics only member outside continental US, 2012-2015.
  • US patent S. P. Drake, B. Anderson, and C. Yu, "Method and System for Deinterleaving Signals," United States of America Patent US8,102,297, 24 January 2012.
  • Defence Science Fellowship to work at Durham University, UK, 2011
  • Australian representative at the operations reserach society of Japan, 2001
Key responsibilities

As the Co-Director of the Centre for Defence Electromagnetic Research and Training (CDERT), I play a key role in strategic planning and partnership development with the Australian Defence Force and industry stakeholders. I am responsible for spearheading research initiatives that advance defence capabilities in electromagnetic spectrum operations, securing funding, and managing projects that address critical defence needs.

My work involves close collaboration with government and industry partners, ensuring that our programs equip students and professionals with the skills needed to address emerging challenges in electromagnetic systems security. This includes the delivery of specialised training and development of educational resources that support the operational use of the electromagnetic spectrum in defence contexts. My leadership extends to representing the centre and the university in national and international forums, contributing to the global discourse on spectrum security and operations.

As the Course Coordinator for the Master of Electromagnetic Systems and Spectrum Operations and the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Systems and Security) combined with Bachelor of Science (Physics) at Flinders University, I oversee the curriculum development, delivery, and evaluation to ensure academic excellence and industry relevance. My responsibilities include coordinating course content, setting assessment standards, and aligning program outcomes with the latest advancements in electromagnetic systems and security.

In my role as Professor of Electromagnetic Systems and Security, I provide academic leadership in teaching, research, and service. I supervise two PhD students, guiding their research projects to contribute to the field's knowledge base, and oversee six academic staff, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment that promotes high-quality teaching and research.

Teaching interests

General Relativity

Special Relativity

Electromagnetic Systems Security

Topic coordinator
ENGR9008 Global Navigation Satellite Systems
ENGR9007 Advanced Radar Systems
ENGR9911 Military Radar Systems
ENGR9005 Electro-Optic Systems
Topic lecturer
ENGR9008 Global Navigation Satellite Systems
ENGR9911 Military Radar Systems
Expert for media contact
Defence
Electromagnetics
Signal processing
Space
Electronic Warfare
General Relativity
Global Satellite Navigation Systems
GPS
RADAR
Available for contact via
Or contact the media team
Media expertise
  • Defence
  • Electromagnetics
  • Signal processing
  • Space
Interests
  • Electronic Warfare
  • General Relativity
  • Global Satellite Navigation Systems
  • GPS
  • RADAR