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

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.

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.
What does the new International Development Policy mean for the Pacific?
Commentary
What does the new International Development Policy mean for the Pacific?
Originally published in the Samoa Observer
The Fix: Talking about the Pacific
The Fix: Talking about the Pacific
An Interpreter weekly feature about issues, resources or helpful distractions that might otherwise be missed.
Pacific Change Makers - Vanuatu MP Gloria Julia King on women, sport, and politics
Podcasts
Pacific Change Makers - Vanuatu MP Gloria Julia King on women, sport, and politics
  Former national football player and Vanuatu MP Gloria Julia King tells Dr Jessica Collins that while barriers still exist for women in politics, sport is a great…
What does the new International Development Policy mean for the Pacific?
What does the new International Development Policy mean for the Pacific?
Australia has outlined its case for being the preferred regional partner, but the Pacific needs less talk and more action.
Top