Stephen Cook

University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Defence Equipment and Support

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Stephen Cook is a leading researcher in systems engineering, with a particular focus on the assurance and integration of complex, autonomous systems. His work addresses the critical challenge of standardizing systems engineering practices for Robotic and Autonomous Systems with Artificial Intelligence (RAS-AI), which operate without real-time human control. Cook’s major contributions include pioneering the "Systems Integration Sandpit" at the University of South Australia and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation—a facility designed to accelerate systems engineering competencies and explore integration issues. He has also advanced Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), demonstrating its feasibility as a shift from document-centric to model-centric practices. While his most-cited paper, "Towards a systems framework for the assurance of maritime autonomous systems" (2023, 3 citations), reflects his current focus on assurance frameworks, his earlier work on the Sandpit and MBSE (each with 2 citations) laid foundational tools for education and research. Cook’s impact lies in bridging theory and practice, equipping engineers to tackle the unique challenges of autonomous systems in defense and maritime domains.