Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
1339th Ordinary General Meeting and Open Lecture of the Royal Society of NSW — 8 April 2026
"A drone by another other name"
Dr Catherine Ball
Scientific Futurist, Tech Influencer, Robotics Expert, Adjunct Professor
and
Simon Masters
Deputy Director, Future Flight, InnovateUK
The presentation commences at 03:32
Timing Marks:
00:00:00 Introduction: Emeritus Professor Christina Slade FRSN, President, Royal Society of NSW
00:03:32 Presentation: Dr Catherine Ball and Simon Masters
00:52:33 Audience Q&A
01:23:53 Vote of Thanks: Emeritus Professor Christina Slade
01:25:02 Meeting Close
https://www.royalsoc.org.au/events/1339th-ogm-and-open-lecture/
Summary: This presentation tells the story of a regulatory power shift. Australia got out fast, with CASA’s 2016 reforms making commercial drone operations easier and more accessible well before many markets caught up. It was bold, practical, and business-friendly. In many ways, Australia wrote the early playbook for modern drone regulation.
But being first is not the same as staying first.
The UK arrived later, then surged ahead by pairing regulation with serious national investment and a coordinated cross-government approach. It moved into a more advanced risk-based framework, aligned drone policy with broader aviation reform, and backed it with a Future of Flight strategy designed to scale real-world operations, including beyond visual line of sight. In short, the UK did not just regulate drones; it funded the future they needed.
This session compares the two countries side by side, showing how Australia led on early regulatory innovation, while the UK built the stronger long game through capital, policy alignment, and industry mobilisation.
If Australia proved drones could be regulated, the UK is proving they can be scaled.
And that difference is now shaping who leads the next decade.
About the Speakers
Dr Catherine Ball is an award-winning company director, bestselling author, futurist and adjunct professor working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs.
Working to protect the natural environment and empowering all members of society through mutual education and respect are core aspects of her chosen projects. As well as supporting start-ups and leaders from all generations across the globe, Catherine is particularly passionate about social mobility and equity.
Catherine is proud to be an advisor to a broad range of enterprises and philanthropic organisations, including being an XPRIZE visioneer and member of their Global Brains Trust.
Simon Masters has 20 years of experience across industry and public sector roles. With a background in aerospace and technology, he has held senior positions in the civil and military aerospace sectors, including systems engineering and R&D roles with Airbus and BAE SYSTEMS.
He took up the role of Deputy Director for the Future Flight Challenge within InnovateUK in 2020, focusing on developing drone and advanced air mobility capabilities and supporting systems in the UK. He has led efforts to integrate technology solutions with emerging use cases, particularly those addressing needs and opportunities in public services. In 2024, he took on the leadership of the Future Flight Challenge program as it transitions from R&D to commercialisation and growth. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, he has worked to build international partnerships across Europe, Japan and Australia.
1339th Ordinary General Meeting and Open Lecture of the Royal Society of NSW — 8 April 2026
"A drone by another other name"
Dr Catherine Ball
Scientific Futurist, Tech Influencer, Robotics Expert, Adjunct Professor
and
Simon Masters
Deputy Director, Future Flight, InnovateUK
The presentation commences at 03:32
Timing Marks:
00:00:00 Introduction: Emeritus Professor Christina Slade FRSN, President, Royal Society of NSW
00:03:32 Presentation: Dr Catherine Ball and Simon Masters
00:52:33 Audience Q&A
01:23:53 Vote of Thanks: Emeritus Professor Christina Slade
01:25:02 Meeting Close
https://www.royalsoc.org.au/events/1339th-ogm-and-open-lecture/
Summary: This presentation tells the story of a regulatory power shift. Australia got out fast, with CASA’s 2016 reforms making commercial drone operations easier and more accessible well before many markets caught up. It was bold, practical, and business-friendly. In many ways, Australia wrote the early playbook for modern drone regulation.
But being first is not the same as staying first.
The UK arrived later, then surged ahead by pairing regulation with serious national investment and a coordinated cross-government approach. It moved into a more advanced risk-based framework, aligned drone policy with broader aviation reform, and backed it with a Future of Flight strategy designed to scale real-world operations, including beyond visual line of sight. In short, the UK did not just regulate drones; it funded the future they needed.
This session compares the two countries side by side, showing how Australia led on early regulatory innovation, while the UK built the stronger long game through capital, policy alignment, and industry mobilisation.
If Australia proved drones could be regulated, the UK is proving they can be scaled.
And that difference is now shaping who leads the next decade.
About the Speakers
Dr Catherine Ball is an award-winning company director, bestselling author, futurist and adjunct professor working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs.
Working to protect the natural environment and empowering all members of society through mutual education and respect are core aspects of her chosen projects. As well as supporting start-ups and leaders from all generations across the globe, Catherine is particularly passionate about social mobility and equity.
Catherine is proud to be an advisor to a broad range of enterprises and philanthropic organisations, including being an XPRIZE visioneer and member of their Global Brains Trust.
Simon Masters has 20 years of experience across industry and public sector roles. With a background in aerospace and technology, he has held senior positions in the civil and military aerospace sectors, including systems engineering and R&D roles with Airbus and BAE SYSTEMS.
He took up the role of Deputy Director for the Future Flight Challenge within InnovateUK in 2020, focusing on developing drone and advanced air mobility capabilities and supporting systems in the UK. He has led efforts to integrate technology solutions with emerging use cases, particularly those addressing needs and opportunities in public services. In 2024, he took on the leadership of the Future Flight Challenge program as it transitions from R&D to commercialisation and growth. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, he has worked to build international partnerships across Europe, Japan and Australia.
