Dr Amanda H A Watson

Dr Amanda H A Watson is a Fellow at the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University (ANU).

Dr Watson's research focuses on digital technologies and infrastructures in the Pacific Islands region. Her expertise includes undersea internet cables, satellite internet services and telecommunications in the Pacific.

Dr Watson has a particular interest in mobile telephone uptake and use in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Her multi-year project with academic partners in PNG monitors mobile internet prices. She also remains actively engaged in telecommunication sector regulatory processes and developments in PNG. Her research looks at the roles of mobile telephones in everyday lives, service delivery and development in rural and urban areas.

In addition to her expertise on digital technologies, Dr Watson has an interest in media freedom and closely follows developments in PNG that may impede or enhance media freedom.

Dr Watson has published in various academic journals, including Mobile Media and Communication, Pacific Journalism Review, Media Asia, and Australian Journalism Review.

Contact details

Dr Watson's office is room 2.251 in the HC Coombs building.
The office phone number is +61 2 6125 2677.

PhD (Queensland University of Technology), Master of International Social Development (UNSW), Postgrad Cert in Higher Education (DWU, PNG), BA (Hons) (Macquarie)

Dr Watson's research interests include digital technology in the Pacific, mobile telephones in Papua New Guinea and strategic uses of information and communication technologies in development efforts.