Ms Cynthia Mehboob

Cynthia Mehboob is a PhD candidate in the Department of International Relations, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs at The Australian National University. Her research examines the securitisation of undersea infrastructure, with a particular focus on submarine cable systems and their intersections with broader digital ecosystems, including artificial intelligence and data infrastructure.

For her doctoral project, Cynthia conducted over three years of fieldwork across Europe and the Indo-Pacific, including Australia, and her research draws on interviews, archival research, site-based observation, and sustained engagement with industry actors, including the manufacturers, owners, and operators of submarine cable systems. This empirical approach enables her to examine the often overlooked dimensions of critical infrastructure that are central to policy debate but less well understood because of the technical complexities surrounding these assets. Cynthia frequently contributes to public commentary on these issues.

Prior to and during her doctoral studies, Cynthia has held research and governance roles at the Australian National University, Monash University and the Department of the House of Representatives at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra. She has also worked with non-profit organisations, including World Vision and Mission Australia, and served as a hybrid threats analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.