Cynthia Mehboob

Cynthia Mehboob is a doctoral candidate at the Australian National University's Department of International Relations. Her PhD research interrogates the complex interplay between human, non-human, and more-than-human elements that shape Australia's digital infrastructure securitisation in its region, with a particular focus on the politics of undersea cables in the Indo-Pacific. In addition to her academic work, Cynthia regularly contributes to media discussions on undersea and other digital infrastructure, aiming to illustrate the urgent economic and national security challenges that could impact Australia’s strategic interests.

Her work has been featured in the Interpreter by the Lowy Institute and The Conversation, and she has appeared on the Ear to Asia podcast, discussing the geopolitics of undersea cables in the Indo-Pacific. Cynthia also provides expert commentary on digital Infrastructure for Australian national and regional media outlets, including ABC television and radio, SBS, and international platforms such as NBC News and The Guardian Australia.

Before commencing her PhD, Cynthia worked as a development practitioner. She has extensive experience in senior roles across higher education and the not-for-profit sectors in Australia. Cynthia has worked as a project lead at Monash University, contributed to Mission Australia’s Communities for Children portfolio, and supported World Vision’s 30-hour famine program in Malaysia.