GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley

Episode 63: The Role of Academia in National Security
Date: October 10, 2025
Guest: Dr. Robert Bishop, Vice Chancellor & Dean of Engineering, Texas A&M University

Overview

In this episode, host Mike Shanley sits down with Dr. Robert "Bobby" Bishop to discuss how U.S. universities—particularly Texas A&M—can meaningfully contribute to national security through cutting-edge research, direct partnership with the Department of Defense, and new contracting models. The conversation offers practitioners in government, academia, and industry actionable insights on how to fast-track innovation, build trust, and integrate academic capabilities into critical national security applications, including hypersonics, space robotics, nuclear, and quantum technologies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rethinking Academia’s Role in DoD R&D (01:07 – 03:14)

• The Need for a New Model:
  Dr. Bishop emphasizes that existing university structures for DoD collaborations are too slow and cumbersome. He advocates for a new, more nimble contracting-focused model, allowing faster execution and reliability in delivering solutions.

  "First of all, in this new model, we cannot forget the impact of basic research because that really is what's going to differentiate us and keep us superior in the technology arena... we need to be able to deliver on time and on budget."
  — Dr. Robert Bishop (02:00)

• 501(c)(3) Nonprofit "Alliance" Model:
  By creating a nonprofit entity inside the university, reporting to top leadership, universities can contract directly, bring multiple disciplines together, and accelerate decision-making.

2. Engaging Directly with DoD End-Users (04:08 – 08:23)

• Bridging the Academic-Bureaucratic Divide:
  Universities must connect not only with DoD program managers but also with the "war fighters"—the ultimate users. Bishop introduces Texas A&M’s Inspire Alliance, built to bridge the gap between need and solution with minimal administrative friction.

  "We need to get much closer to the users of the technology... We need to get to the war fighters themselves."
  — Dr. Bishop (04:20)

• Managing Change:
  Bishop acknowledges academia’s reluctance to change, rooted in a perceived sense of loss, but stresses the expanded opportunities that accompany agility.

• Industry Collaboration:
  Faster processes also help connect with industry, often frustrated by slow academic timelines (e.g., delayed NDAs).

3. Building Infrastructure for Classified Defense Work (08:23 – 10:01)

• SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility):
  Dr. Bishop talks about the value—and the significant commitment—of having a SCIF facility on campus for classified research.

  "You don't build a SCIF and hope they come. This is not the field of dreams... You need to have a sponsor, you need to have a reason for that facility."
  — Dr. Bishop (09:30)

4. Federal Funding Priorities: Facilities & Workforce (10:01 – 11:59)

• Shared National Assets:
  Federal and state funding is critical for building expensive, shared experimental facilities like Texas A&M’s world-leading hypersonic wind tunnels.

• Workforce Development:
  Universities are well-placed to cultivate future engineers and provide upskilling for professionals already in the industrial base.

  "We need [the federal government’s] help in order to do that."
  — Dr. Bishop (11:29)

5. Hypersonics and Experimental Advantage (11:59 – 15:24)

• Texas A&M’s Hypersonics Program:

  • Building two state-of-the-art hypersonic wind tunnels.

  • Conducting and planning hypersonic flight tests.

  • Investing $55M in computational infrastructure to support digital twins and large-scale simulations.

    “[With these resources,] we will have the capability to, you know, to analyze, test, and fly.”
    — Dr. Bishop (13:08)

• Universities’ Unique Position:
  Academia is uniquely suited to convene multidisciplinary teams—including faculty, postdocs, students, and industry—in ways private companies typically can't.

6. Contracting & Intellectual Property (15:24 – 16:38)

• Innovating on IP & Agreements:
  The new 501(c)(3) model permits more flexible IP arrangements and restricted publication when working on sensitive projects, aiming to balance openness with protection.

  "My hope and my dream is that at some point we become an incubator for ideas from industry and from others and not feel compelled to own all the intellectual property."
  — Dr. Bishop (15:53)

7. Academic–Industry Engagement, Especially for Startups (16:38 – 20:25)

• Lowering Barriers for Collaboration:
  Texas A&M tailors its alliance to be accessible for smaller businesses and startups, offering flexible contracting and direct teaming.

  “Our objective is to be on their team and to help them achieve their dreams for their company... the connective tissue is what we are providing or going to provide.”
  — Dr. Bishop (17:31)

• Building Trust with Startups:
  Not all startups immediately see the value in university collaboration, citing past experiences with slow academic processes or IP restrictions. The Alliance model aims to change this perception.

8. Golden Dome Consortiums & University Contributions (20:25 – 24:09)

• Specific Offerings for Major Defense Programs:
  Texas A&M contributes experimental infrastructure (wind tunnels, flight tests), deep expertise in sensors, navigation, cybersecurity, data, and AI.

  "In the hypersonics arena, I think it's pretty clear that we can contribute the access to tunnels, to experiments, and even to flight tests..."
  — Dr. Bishop (20:46)

• AI & Data Foundations:
  The university’s principal contribution in AI relates to data management, infrastructure, and foundational engineering, rather than just end-user-facing applications.

  "Somewhere in there you have to talk about data, data science, data engineering... I think our main contribution would be in that lower level, building the foundation upon which the systems can be built in a really, you know, optimal way..."
  — Dr. Bishop (23:01)

9. Space Robotics Spotlight (24:09 – 26:26)

• Advanced Research & Facilities:
  Texas A&M is investing in robotics for space through unique research (e.g., sphere-shaped robots) and by building large-scale simulated environments (Lunarscape, Marscape) for testing.

  “We have a robot that's actually a ball, okay? It can roll around on the sand, it can roll in the water...”
  — Dr. Bishop (25:10)

10. Nuclear and Quantum Research Strengths (26:26 – 29:08)

• Small Modular Reactors:
  Multiple reactor projects and a top-ranked nuclear engineering department set A&M apart.

  • On campus, students and faculty access research reactors and gain practical experience.

• Quantum Science:

  • Strong interest and developing strength in quantum research; universities are optimal for quantum’s interdisciplinary nature.

    “There's so much in the interface between physics and mathematics and engineering that leads me to believe that a university is an optimal place to do that kind of work.”
    — Dr. Bishop (28:22)

11. Building Trust with DoD and Streamlining Acquisition (29:08 – 32:22)

• Call for Contracting Reform:
  Dr. Bishop urges the DoD and Pentagon to adopt more flexible, contract-driven relationships and trust that universities can deliver—on time and on budget.

  "The Main area that I believe needs to be strengthened is that bridge of trust... the only way to speed the acquisition process for them..."
  — Dr. Bishop (29:40)

• All-in Commitment to National Security:
  The university maintains strong connections with policy schools and is committed to serving warfighters, veterans, and their families through research and innovation.

12. Final Takeaways and Calls to Action (33:33 – 34:41)

• Rethinking Academic-DoD Relationships:

  "Let's reimagine how we do research in academia with the DOD and with industry... Let's think differently. That's the message."
  — Dr. Bishop (33:46)

• Contact Information:
  Dr. Bishop encourages listeners from both industry and government, as well as prospective students, to reach out to his office via the Texas A&M engineering website (VCDEngineering@tamu.edu).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On University and DoD Pace:
  "There's two ways that our projects slow down. One is with the government because they're slow, and two is with academia because we're slow."
  — Dr. Bishop (01:44)

• On Not Building a SCIF Just Because:
  "You don't build a SCIF and hope they come. This is not the Field of Dreams."
  — Dr. Bishop (09:30)

• On the Motivation for this Work:
  "We are here for the war fighters downrange. We are here for the war fighters and their families in Garrison and, and we are here for the veterans. That's what we're doing."
  — Dr. Bishop (32:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:07 – New model proposal for academic-DoD collaboration
• 04:08 – Steps universities should take to engage DoD
• 08:23 – The strategic importance and best practices for SCIFs on campus
• 10:01 – Where federal funding is most impactful: facilities & workforce
• 11:59 – Hypersonics program specifics and national resources
• 15:24 – Contracting & IP flexibility strategies
• 16:38 – Positioning for startups and small business partnerships
• 20:25 – Golden Dome consortia and university integration
• 22:31 – University’s foundational role in AI, data, and cybersecurity
• 24:20 – Space robotics innovation and infrastructure
• 26:36 – Strengths in nuclear and quantum research
• 29:08 – Guidance for DoD on building trust and reforming acquisition
• 33:46 – Final message and strategic call to action

Conclusion

This episode is a practical guide to how academia can—and must—evolve to support national security in the 21st century. Dr. Bishop offers a frank look at current limitations, bold solutions for increasing agility, and clear steps for building collaboration and trust with government agencies and industry partners. The Texas A&M model, centering the creation of agile, contract-focused nonprofit alliances, offers a compelling roadmap for peers nationwide as they seek to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and national defense.