Dr Meg Keen

Senior Fellow, Pacific Islands Program
Areas of expertise

Pacific Islands development and security, resource management, human security and resilience. 

Dr Meg Keen
Biography
Publications
News and media

Dr Meg Keen is a Senior Fellow in the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute.

Meg’s work on the Pacific region spans several decades across academia, intelligence and policymaking. Her research focuses on regional security policy and resilience, as well as resource, environmental and human security. She has worked and conducted research in nearly all Pacific Islands countries with governments, NGOs and regional agencies.

Before joining the Lowy Institute, she was the inaugural Director of the Australia Pacific Security College at the Australian National University (ANU), an educational institution she helped to establish to service members of the Pacific Islands Forum on Pacific Islands development and security issues. 

Prior to that, Meg worked as a Senior Policy Fellow in the ANU’s Department of Pacific Affairs, as a Senior Analyst in the Oceania Branch of the Office of National Assessments (now the Office of National Intelligence) and served in Australia’s Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

She started her post-doctoral career as a lecturer in environment studies (ANU and Monash University) and advising the Australian government on environmental management in the Asia-Pacific.

Meg has won four Australia Day Awards for her work as a senior Pacific Islands analyst, an Australian Federal Police Overseas Service Medal for her work with RAMSI, and a citation for excellence in teaching. A Canadian native, she has been resident in Australia for more than 30 years.

Australian climate action must go beyond 'lifeline' for Tuvalu
Commentary
Australian climate action must go beyond 'lifeline' for Tuvalu
Originally published in NikkeiAsia
Infrastructure for influence: Pacific Islands building spree
Infrastructure for influence: Pacific Islands building spree
Even with stabilising debt and higher revenues, the region’s needs still outpace funding. Partnerships are key.
The US–Pacific Islands Partnership, one year on
The US–Pacific Islands Partnership, one year on
Recognising that it cannot go it alone, Washington needs to coordinate its development efforts with like-minded partners.    
The US–Pacific Islands Partnership, one year on
Commentary
The US–Pacific Islands Partnership, one year on
Originally published in Pacific Island Times, 22 September 2023.
What does the new International Development Policy mean for the Pacific?
Commentary
What does the new International Development Policy mean for the Pacific?
Originally published in the Samoa Observer
Putting a PNG stamp on security
Putting a PNG stamp on security
As world players jostle for influence, the price of admission may be stronger economic engagement.
What does the new International Development Policy mean for the Pacific?
What does the new International Development Policy mean for the Pacific?
Australia has outlined its case for being the preferred regional partner, but the Pacific needs less talk and more action.
The Fix: Long road to inspiration
The Fix: Long road to inspiration
An Interpreter feature about issues, resources or helpful distractions that might otherwise be missed.
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