Dr Jessica Collins

Research Fellow, Pacific Islands Program
Dr Jessica Collins
Biography
Publications

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.

The Global Fragility Act in PNG: can the US succeed?
The Global Fragility Act in PNG: can the US succeed?
A seemingly radical approach that relies on prevention and relinquishing control may be a foreign policy game-changer.
What happened at the Pacific Islands Forum
What happened at the Pacific Islands Forum
A historic hugs and dialling-down regional rivalries. How a week of Pacific diplomacy unfolded.
Pacific Islands Forum meeting: the black cloud returns
Pacific Islands Forum meeting: the black cloud returns
A continued dispute over the Secretary General position has challenged unity of the Pacific family.
What Australians fear with China pressing in the Pacific
What Australians fear with China pressing in the Pacific
Concern about a growing regional influence can be offset by faith in other actors to do the right thing.
Gender equality in the Pacific: less talk and more action
Gender equality in the Pacific: less talk and more action
Pacific women leaders are driving for change, and economic empowerment is key.
An Australia-America-Pacific partnership – for and with the region
An Australia-America-Pacific partnership – for and with the region
Support through consensus and the shared Pacific value system will ensure island nations get what they need most.
Aus-PNG Network: Women in politics in PNG - Dame Carol Kidu
Podcasts
Aus-PNG Network: Women in politics in PNG - Dame Carol Kidu
This is a special Women in Politics  series for the  Australia-PNG Network, in which the Lowy Institute's Jessica Collins sits down with prominent women from Papua New Guinea…
Labor’s Pacific plan: ticking the economic box
Labor’s Pacific plan: ticking the economic box
Tightening up on fees charged for remittances will ensure millions of dollars get to households across the region.
Aus-PNG Network: Women in politics in PNG - Tania Bale
Podcasts
Aus-PNG Network: Women in politics in PNG - Tania Bale
In this fourth episode of the series, Jessica speaks with Tania Bale, an urban candidate seeking election to PNG’s National Parliament. Tania shares her views on the challenges of…
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