Anthony Regan

Anthony Regan is a Professor at the Department of Pacific Affairs, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU. Specializing in constitutional law and conflict resolution, he has extensive experience advising governments in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Bougainville, and Uganda on constitutional design, decentralization, and peace processes. With 19 years in PNG and 3 years in Uganda, his work spans over three decades of involvement in peace negotiations (e.g., Bougainville, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands) and post-conflict constitution-making.

Education: LLB (Adelaide University). Research focuses on constitutional frameworks for conflict resolution, self-determination, and governance in Melanesia. Key themes include Bougainville’s political status, ombudsman institutions, and elections in Melanesia. His career includes roles as a constitutional adviser to Uganda (1991–94) and Bougainville (2002–04), as well as a Senior Fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace (2005).

His articles analyze constitutional processes in Bougainville, Fiji, and Melanesia, emphasizing legal frameworks for autonomy, referendum design, and post-conflict governance. Notable works include studies on the 2019 Bougainville Referendum and Fiji’s 2013 Constitution. Projects include the Australia Awards Fellowships Scheme (2023–24) and PNG Advisory Support Facility (2004).

Advocacy and grants highlight his role in institutional strengthening and policy advising. He contributes to State, Society and Governance in Melanesia (SSGM) research initiatives, producing policy-relevant analyses on political instability and decentralization. His work bridges legal scholarship with practical policy solutions for conflict-affected regions.