Cynthia Mehboob is an Analyst with ASPI’s Cyber, Technology and Security Program, where she focuses on hybrid threats in the Indo-Pacific region.

She holds a Master of Research in Politics, History, and International Relations from the University of Nottingham and is currently completing a PhD in International Relations at the Australian National University. Her doctoral research examines the techno-security politics of undersea cable networks in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, based on multi-year fieldwork across Southeast Asia, Australia, the Pacific, and Europe.

Alongside her academic work, Cynthia contributes regularly to public and policy discussions on digital infrastructure, particularly undersea cables, highlighting their economic and strategic significance for Australian national security. Her writing has appeared in the Interpreter (Lowy Institute), ASPI’s The Strategist, The Conversation, and the Blue Security Series. She also provides empirically verified commentary for national and international media. Her analysis has been featured in several media outlets including ABC TV and radio, SBS, NBC News, Nikkei Asia, Financial Times, and The Guardian Australia.

Cynthia brings deep cross-sectoral experience from leadership roles in higher education and the non-profit sector in Australia and abroad. Her previous affiliations include Mission Australia, Monash University (Australia and Malaysia), and the Australian National University.