Hello,
I’m Irene.
My research interests include Internet governance and the politics of Internet regulation, digital security and identity politics (including gender and intersectionality), and countering terrorism, violent extremism, and hate speech online. My geographic area of focus is Southeast Asia. Read more about my research.
I am a Senior Researcher for the Citizen Lab, an interdisciplinary research lab on digital technology and human rights at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto. In this role, I collect and analyse data and produce written reports on Internet governance and information controls (e.g., Internet filtering and shutdowns). Additionally, I participate in various Internet-related fora and plan and coordinate activities related to the Citizen Lab’s thematic research areas, including gender and digital security.
I earned my PhD in Political Science from the University of Toronto. My dissertation explored how Southeast Asian governments shape, regulate, and impose controls on the flow of information online. I have also taught courses in the Department of Political Science and the Munk School, University of Toronto. Read more about my courses.
I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Master’s degree in Political Science and Asia Pacific Studies (now called the Contemporary East and Southeast Asian Studies program) from the University of Toronto. My Master’s thesis (major research paper) examined the impact of autonomy arrangements on secessionist conflicts in Indonesia, specifically the regions of Aceh and Papua.
Previously, I worked for the Human Security Report Project at Simon Fraser University, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and UBC’s Centre for Southeast Asia Research. I was also an intern for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – Southeast Asia Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand.
I was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, and reside in Toronto, Canada. I am a native speaker of Bahasa Indonesia and fluent in English.