Michael de Percy
Michael de Percy | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970 |
| Occupation(s) | Political scientist, academic, journalist, editor, commentator |
| Known for | Canberra Press Gallery Correspondent for The Spectator Australia; Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Canberra; Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy |
Michael de Percy (born 1970) serves as the Canberra Press Gallery Correspondent for The Spectator Australia. An Australian political scientist, academic, journalist, editor, and commentator, he holds the position of Adjunct Associate Professor within the Canberra School of Government at the University of Canberra. As noted by Toby James, de Percy contributed to the development of theoretical frameworks illustrating how technological and institutional histories limited policy choices regarding the implementation of new communications technologies in both Australia and Canada. He endorsed the 2017 amendments to Australian Broadcasting Legislation. In 2022, he was named to the Australian Research Council's College of Experts. A graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, he initially served as an army officer before transitioning to academia.
Research
Under the supervision of John Wanna, de Percy completed a PhD thesis that proposed a model combining path dependency with punctuated equilibrium to aid process tracing in comparative analyses of communications technology policy outcomes in Canada and Australia. He further developed this work in Policy Studies by identifying distinct policy regimes.
Publications
His editorial contributions span topics such as transportation policy, public administration, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on international aid and diplomatic relations. His scholarly interests encompass telecommunications policy in Australia and Canada, transport policy, government-business dynamics, populism, institutional fatigue, political leadership, and Sir Robert Menzies’ influence during Australia's Atomic Age.
Industry Engagement
De Percy has held leadership positions across transport, telecommunications, and energy industries. Between 2023 and 2025, he chaired the ACT and Southern NSW Chapter of CILTA and served as Vice President of the Telecommunications Association (TelSoc) from 2022 to 2024. He is also affiliated with the Australian Nuclear Association. Furthermore, he partnered with the Australian Civil-Military Centre on initiatives addressing Syrian refugee women in Jordan and Lebanon, co-authoring three commissioned studies.
Teaching
He has taught political science, management, and professional development courses at undergraduate level across University of Canberra campuses located in Canberra, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Additionally, de Percy delivered leadership training to MBA cohorts in Canberra, Shanghai, Ningbo, and Bhutan. His authorship includes multiple books and academic articles related to these disciplines.
Journalism and Political Commentary
As a journalist and conservative political analyst, de Percy contributes as the Canberra Press Gallery Correspondent for The Spectator Australia and actively participates within the Canberra Press Gallery community. He publishes The Political Flâneur: A Different Point of View (ISSN 2652-8851), a news platform presenting his political insights and commentary.
Fellowships and appointments
On January 1, 2025, de Percy assumed the role of Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy. He holds fellowships with the Royal Society of Arts, is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, and a Member of the Royal Society of New South Wales. Since 2022, he has been part of the Australian Research Council's College of Experts with a term extending through 2025.