Amanda H A Watson

Dr. Amanda H A Watson is a Research Fellow at the Department of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University (ANU), specializing in digital technology's role in the Pacific, mobile telephony in Papua New Guinea (PNG), and ICT's strategic use in development efforts. She holds a PhD from Queensland University of Technology, alongside advanced degrees in international development and higher education.

Previously, she served as part of the ANU-UPNG Partnership team (2017–2019), teaching at the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy. Her research spans mobile phone adoption in PNG, telecommunication infrastructure, and cybersecurity in Pacific Island nations. She has also taught at Divine Word University, Macquarie University, and TAFE NSW.

Her work emphasizes the digital divide, undersea internet cables' geopolitical implications, and pandemic-era challenges to education and healthcare access. Recent publications analyze PNG students' internet struggles during COVID-19 and cybersecurity risks linked to Pacific infrastructure expansion.

Key research areas include Pacific Island telecommunications policy, mobile technology's societal impact, and development-driven ICT strategies. Awards and grants are not explicitly listed, but her work has been supported through academic partnerships and institutional grants.