Since joining the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2012, Hannah has worked in a variety of foreign policy and international development roles focusing on Southeast Asia and climate change.  During a posting to Laos from 2014-18, Hannah managed political and economic bilateral relations and development projects.  From 2018 to 2021, Hannah was part of Australia’s delegation to UN climate change negotiations and worked to integrate climate change across the Australian aid program.

Hannah’s research aims to improve understanding of the governance of the energy transition in Southeast Asia. Specifically, she is taking a case study approach to examining the growing trade in electricity in Southeast Asia. While regional electricity trade can support uptake of renewables, progress towards an ASEAN Power Grid has been incremental and its future development faces a complex set of political and economic barriers. Through her research, Hannah hopes to develop a better understanding of the factors supporting successful trading relationships, so as to inform regional diplomacy and technical assistance programs.

Supervisor: Professor Christian Downie

Publications

• Lord H (2024) ‘Is Southeast Asia ready for a regional power grid?’, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/southeast-asia-ready-regional-power-grid