Dr Carolyn Patteson

Dr Carolyn Patteson is Deputy Chief Defence Scientist, leading the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) Headquarters Division.

In this role Dr Patteson leads a range of enterprise functions, innovation, science and technology (IS&T) strategy development, and partnerships with the IS&T ecosystem as well as overseeing organisational performance. She represents DSTG at senior levels across Government, academia, industry, and internationally.

Immediately prior to her current appointment, Dr Patteson led the division in DSTG responsible for strategy, planning and engagement.

Before joining Defence, Dr Patteson established the International Trade and National Security Division in the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, leading the provision of advice on national security and international issues in relation to the portfolio.

During her career, Dr Patteson established a whole-of-government policy coordination capability to identify and advise government on critical technologies and how they intersect with our national interest.

From 2016 to 2019, she led the Content Division in the Department of Communications and the Arts. Here she was responsible for a broad range of broadcasting, copyright, classification and content policy and regulation.

Before this, Dr Patteson was the Executive Manager of CERT Australia, and responsible more broadly within the Attorney-General's Department for cyber-crime and cyber security issues.

Dr Patteson has previously held a variety of roles in the intelligence community and Department of Defence.

She has a Doctor of Philosophy and First Class Honours in Mathematics from the University of Queensland.