Jennifer Parker

Nonresident Fellow
Jennifer Parker
Biography
Publications

Jennifer Parker is the principal and founder of Barrier Strategic Advisory. Having served over two decades in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as a warfare officer, she holds a number of university and think tank affiliations, including as an Expert Associate at the National Security College, Australian National University and an Adjunct Fellow in naval studies at the University of New South Wales Canberra. Jennifer is also an International Fellow at the London based Council on Geostrategy.

Published in a number of major Australian newspapers, Jennifer is regularly featured in Australian and international print, digital, radio and TV media.​

During her time in the RAN Jennifer specialised as a Principal Warfare Officer, including undertaking deep specialist training with the Royal Navy in Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer. Jennifer has extensive operational experience from the Middle East to the Caribbean, and most areas in between. She has undertaken a series of naval appointments nationally and internationally in areas including force design strategy, career management, international exercise planning and operations. That included service as an exchange officer with the Royal Navy and as second in command of HMAS Darwin, one of the Royal Australian Navy's guided missile frigates.

Jennifer’s last appointment in the RAN was as Director of Operations in Bahrain of the Combined Maritime Forces, a 47-nation coalition promoting maritime security in the Middle East and Indian Ocean region.

Beyond AUKUS: The maritime strategy Australia needs
Beyond AUKUS: The maritime strategy Australia needs
Consolidating maritime departments, and coordination across defence, civil and industry is where the wins will be made.
Sea control, not stockpiles, will secure Australia’s future
Sea control, not stockpiles, will secure Australia’s future
New Mogami frigates are essential to protecting vital supply chains and trade.
AUKUS: Building confidence in Australia’s submarine pathway
AUKUS: Building confidence in Australia’s submarine pathway
Promises need to shift to performance, judged against a published timeline.
Australia-South Korea: The case for a new maritime focus
Australia-South Korea: The case for a new maritime focus
The naval relationship between the two nations has plateaued, but there's a way to regain momentum.
China’s “spy ship” that wasn’t off the coast of Australia
China’s “spy ship” that wasn’t off the coast of Australia
Caught in a political storm, most claims about the mission of the Tan Suo Yi Hao don’t hold water.
The Black Sea battle: Learning the right maritime lessons from Ukraine
The Black Sea battle: Learning the right maritime lessons from Ukraine
Ukraine’s effective strategy in the Black Sea offers a masterclass in how a smaller, determined naval force can challenge a much larger one.
Interoperability: The missing link in Indo-Pacific security
Interoperability: The missing link in Indo-Pacific security
Settling on a definition of an overused buzzword is the first step for Australia to ensure successful military partnerships in Southeast Asia.
A practical way for Australia to help in the western Indian Ocean
A practical way for Australia to help in the western Indian Ocean
Expanding the rollout of a Quad maritime domain awareness initiative would be a boost to security – for the region, and Australia.
Australia must act fast on joint patrols with the Philippines
Australia must act fast on joint patrols with the Philippines
Australia “recommitted” two months ago. The Philippines is waiting, China is watching – and so is the region.
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