As the Australian Chief Defence Scientist and head of DSTO Dr Ian Chessell has a strong influence on the direction of research in Australia.

He has focused DSTO on Defence priorities while reserving a healthy proportion of work on basic research. Client satisfaction is reflected in his success in sustaining DSTO's budget and having it locked at a fixed percentage of Defence's budget.

He has built research teams, restructured DSTO and promoted commercialisation of research.

Dr Chessell contributes nationally and internationally to science policy at the highest level through such bodies as PMSEIC and the NAMRAD multinational defence science organisation.