Quad Tech Network

Projects / Initiatives

About QTN

The QTN aims to establish and deepen academic and official networks linking the Quad nations – Australia, India, Japan, and the United States – in relation to the most pressing technology issues affecting the future security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.

The QTN was first funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in two phases over 2020-2021. The third phase of the initiative is funded by the Department of Home Affairs, as the responsible Australian Government lead on the Quad Critical and Emerging Technology Working Group (CETWG).

While not an official Quad initiative, the QTN’s objectives have been calibrated to support the evolving objectives of the CETWG.

Participants at the 2023 QTN dialogue. Image: NSC — Image: NSC

Phases One and Two of the QTN comprised a series of research papers – the QTN Series – commissioned by the NSC from researchers, in each of the Quad countries – Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. These papers offered analysis and recommendations on shared challenges facing Australia and Indo-Pacific partners in the critical and emerging technology environment.

Building on the success of Phases One and Two, Phase Three saw a significant step-up in the QTN. In addition to expanding the number of commissioned research papers, the Phase Three of the QTN included an in-person Track 1.5 dialogue, held in Canberra in September 2023, and a dedicated biotechnology horizon-scanning paper.

Over the three phases of the QTN, research has been drawn from an array of international research institutions, including the Observer Research Foundation, Centre for a New American Security, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Keio University, Tokyo University, Pacific Forum, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, and Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

Resources

An address by the Hon Clare O’Neil MP (2023)

The Hon Clare O'Neil MP — Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security — delivered the keynote address at the ANU National Security College's Quad Tech Network dinner. The Minister discussed the upcoming 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy and the "transformative opportunity" the Quad offers in resolving some of Australia's biggest cyber security challenges through tech development and collaboration.

Publications

These papers were written for the Quad Tech Network (QTN) Dialogue, as part of the QTN initiative. They focus on establishing and deepening academic and official networks linking the Quad nations – Australia, India, Japan, and the United States – in relation to the most pressing technology issues affecting the future security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.

INL scientist Yoshiko Fujita works with two colleagues. Image: Idaho National Laboratory

A strategy for Quad biotechnology collaboration

As part of the Quad Tech Network series, Dirk van der Kley and Daniel Pavlich discuss the importance of biotechnology as an area for Quad countries to collaborate.