Dr Jessica Collins

Project Director, Australia-Papua New Guinea Network
Areas of expertise

Aid to Pacific Islands, Pacific development policy, Pacific women’s development, Pacific Island politics, remittances.

Dr Jessica Collins
Biography
Publications
News and media

Dr Jessica Collins is Project Director of the Australia-PNG Network and a Research Fellow in the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute. The Australia-PNG Network builds links and understanding between the two countries, strengthening connections across politics, business, sport, education, civil society, arts and culture, religion, media, and development. The Pacific Islands 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 undertakes research projects on Pacific economic sustainability, including remittances, regional financial architecture, and correspondent banking relationships. She has also surveyed trends in development financing related to Pacific women’s advancement, using Pacific Aid Map data. Jessica comments and publishes widely on Australia’s Pacific Islands policy and Pacific women in politics, sport, and business.

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 Islands communities.

Reducing the role of cash in Pacific Island economies
Reducing the role of cash in Pacific Island economies
From QR codes to mobile wallets, innovative tech solutions can help the region transition its financial ecosystem.
Women are underfunded in the Pacific Islands
Data Snapshot
Women are underfunded in the Pacific Islands
Development dollars are missing their gender equality target in the region
The Great Game in the Pacific Islands
Data Snapshot
The Great Game in the Pacific Islands
Pacific Islanders have found their region, previously undervalued by larger powers, now a focal point for strategic competition.
Australia’s superannuation rules leave Pacific workers out of pocket
Australia’s superannuation rules leave Pacific workers out of pocket
The government must reconsider its tax on the Pacific’s poorest.
Western banks are vacating the Pacific, and Nauru is turning to China
Western banks are vacating the Pacific, and Nauru is turning to China
Financial risks are causing Western banks to flee the region, leaving a void for China to fill.
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.
Top