Dr Jessica Collins

Research Fellow, Pacific Islands Program
Dr Jessica Collins
Biography
Publications
News and media

Dr Jessica Collins is a Research Fellow in the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute. The Program focuses on contemporary challenges facing the region, including geostrategic competition, governance and leadership, sustainable economic development and Australia's relationship with Pacific countries and organisations.

Jessica has undertaken research projects on the development benefits of Pacific remittances, and trends in financing to advance women’s development. She comments widely on Australia’s policy in the Pacific and publishes on Pacific women’s political representation, including a podcast series with influential Pacific women on politics, development, and sport. She has also worked on the Pacific Aid Map project, particularly gender analyses of development assistance, and the Australia–Papua New Guinea Network. The Network builds links and understanding between Australia and Papua New Guinea through the Emerging Leaders Dialogue, seminars, networking events and analysis.

Prior to joining the Institute, Jessica completed a PhD on the resettlement of refugees from Myanmar and a master's degree in Global Development. Her Honours project involved research with Samoan communities in Australia, and her undergraduate studies focused on Pacific Island communities.

Tongan attitudes to the world
Commentary
Tongan attitudes to the world
Originally published in the Samoa Observer
Tongan attitudes to the world
Tongan attitudes to the world
A new poll reveals how the Pacific archipelago views US, Chinese and Australian influence.
State of play for Pacific women in 2024
State of play for Pacific women in 2024
When the playing field is levelled, the dividends are doubled, both in politics and sport.
Pacific Change Makers: NZ High Commissioner Dame Annette King on the Pacific, geopolitical competition, and her time serving in Australia
Podcasts
Pacific Change Makers: NZ High Commissioner Dame Annette King on the Pacific, geopolitical competition, and her time serving in Australia
In this episode of Pacific Change Makers, Research Fellow of the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Islands Program Dr Jess Collins speaks with Dame Annette King about her role as New…
China and Taiwan are big Pacific donors – but not for gender equality
China and Taiwan are big Pacific donors – but not for gender equality
More clarity on the flows of funds would help to assign what little credit is due.
Does Australia’s walk match its talk about helping Pacific women advance?
Does Australia’s walk match its talk about helping Pacific women advance?
Big dollars are one thing, meaningful outcomes another.
Pacific Aid Map: Big data gaps are skewing the story about women
Pacific Aid Map: Big data gaps are skewing the story about women
Better reporting is needed to properly understand which projects are targeting gender issues in the region.
Reducing remittance costs in the Pacific Islands
Policy Briefs
Reducing remittance costs in the Pacific Islands
Despite years of policy efforts from G20 nations, fees for remitting to Pacific Islands are still among the most expensive in the world.
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