Dr Francis Bennet a researcher of optical instrumentation at the Australian National University.

He has expertise in adaptive optics for astronomical instrumentation, space situational awareness, and laser communication. He is an ANU InSpace Mission Specialist for advanced communication, with a focus on taking world-leading ANU quantum communications experiments from the lab to space, enabling a global quantum encrypted communications network.

Dr Bennet is leading the ACT Node of an Australian optical communication network, as well as development of a satellite to test quantum communication between space and the ground.