In 2024, the ISST welcomed Dr Cathy Mulligan (Advanced Research Fellow) and Dr Gareth Tear (Postdoctoral Research Associate) to the growing team. Over the coming months, Cathy and Gareth will work with our leadership to drive towards the institute’s vision of a more secure and resilient world.
We sat down with Cathy and Gareth to find out more about their backgrounds and hopes for the months ahead:
Can you tell us a bit about your background and experience in security and/or resilience? 
Cathy Mulligan: I’ve been on a fantastic journey of using digital technologies to build a more sustainable and resilient world for well over a decade now. It all started back when I was working as an engineer in Stockholm and was sent as technical support on the 2005 Beringia research trip to the North Pole on an ice breaker.
That moment inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Engineering for Sustainable Development and a PhD at the University of Cambridge. Since then, I’ve been lucky to lead exciting sustainability and resilience projects across India, Malaysia, the UK, the EU, and Australia, focusing especially on “community-based resilience”. This has included spinning out start-ups, research, being a Fellow at the World Economic Forum and member of the UN High-Level Panel on digital cooperation. It’s been a rewarding adventure, blending innovation with meaningful impact, and I have developed a network of truly wonderful collaborators from all walks of life across the world. Many days, I cannot believe how lucky I have been.
Gareth Tear: I completed my PhD in physics, looking at how transparent materials respond to shock and impact, under the supervision of Dr Bill Proud. Bill is the academic co-director of the ISST’s MSc Security and Resilience course, as well as a Security Science Fellow. I did my postdoc in the same group, this time investigating concrete in multiple impact scenarios. After that I co-founded Synbiosis, a start-up developing and innovating novel armour materials. In short, I’ve been in security research, development and commercialisation for a while now!
Cathy aboard the ice breaker during the Beringia expedition
Why did you want to join the ISST?
CM: Like Gareth, I’ve been around the ISST for a while now, first with the institute many years ago. I worked on the economics of cybersecurity and was Co-Investigator for the Cloud Intelligent Protection at Run-Time (CIPART) grant, for which Professor Emil Lupu was PI. I was drawn to the team’s cross-disciplinary approach to tackling crucial topics related to security and resilience, and the fact that I had worked with several of the academics before. I love the idea of bringing together different perspectives to solve real-world challenges—it’s like creating a puzzle with pieces from every field.
As someone with a strong background in telecommunications, I’m excited to contribute to discussions in that space, especially around my latest book on 5G Advanced core network. I’ve spent much of my career bridging disciplines as an interdisciplinary researcher, and the ISST provided the perfect environment to keep exploring how we can work together to tackle big challenges.
GT: I feel strongly aligned with the institute’s mission and vision. I don’t think there are many others looking at security and resilience in the global, ‘big picture’ context, something that is becoming increasingly important as the world experiences a vast range of security crises across interconnected industries.
I also really like research and understanding new ideas and concepts. At Synbiosis, I had to learn about the manufacturing to market journey for defence technology – including IP law, supply chains and interactions with buyers. I saw how challenging this is to navigate for start-ups and individuals wanting to contribute to the defence industry. I think the ISST and its network of experts can positively affect how the industry operates, as well as other areas of scientific research and technological innovation related to security.
What would you say are the most significant security-related challenges in your field that we should be focusing on in the next 5-10 years? How do you think the ISST’s work can/should contribute to addressing these?
CM: The next decade is going to be thrilling for those involved in security. Geopolitical and technical shifts are dramatically changing the landscape nearly every day.
We’ll need to tackle challenges like the rise of quantum computing, our increasing dependence on digital technologies, and the urgency of adapting to climate change. The silver lining? Digital technologies can be part of the solution if we use them wisely.
We also need a complete redesign of engineering education as the reliance on mega-infrastructures becomes more susceptible to the impacts of climate change in the longer term. To get there, we need bold moves—like completely rethinking how we educate engineers and designing systems that empower communities instead of relying on these fragile mega-infrastructures. The ISST can play a pivotal role by driving cutting-edge research, fostering collaboration, and inspiring the next generation to think outside the box.
GT: As I’ve mentioned, there are considerable difficulties in manufacturing in the defence industry. It seems like processes and systems haven’t progressed in decades. This causes problems for new players who innovate and can drive the industry forward. Ultimately, we don’t see the advances we need to address global security issues.
Furthermore, risks to supply chains and critical resources increase significantly due to their interconnectedness. Not only do we need to drastically improve the resilience of physical mega-infrastructures as Cathy already touched upon, we need to tackle how the health and social care system, food stocks and our energy capacity respond to shocks.
I think the ISST is uniquely placed to understand and shape the solutions to these problems. Our international and interdisciplinary network is extremely well-placed to create more flexible, resilient and effective ways of working, not just in defence manufacturing but any system societies rely upon for security.
What do you hope to achieve at the ISST?
CM: I want to deliver top-notch research and insights that help people live joyful, fulfilling lives while reducing our environmental impact. It’s all about building a future that’s sustainable, secure and full of possibilities!
GT: I’m currently working on a practical module for the MSc Security and Resilience course. I think it’s essential that the next generation of security professionals apply the theory they learn about.
In terms of research, I’d like to contribute to a better equipped defence manufacturing sector that ensures innovators in the industry thrive.
I’d also like to support start-ups at the White City Innovation Ecosystem and NATO DIANA in the development of novel defence technology. We’re already applying for EU funding that will hopefully push this ahead.
Can you share a ‘fun’ fact about yourself?
CM: I set out to write just one book in my lifetime. Somehow, I’ve ended up writing nine! Life has a funny way of exceeding our expectations, doesn’t it?
GT: One of my hobbies is trampolining. I’m working towards doing a double-back somersault.