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.

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…
Aus-PNG Network: Podcast series - Women in politics in PNG
Podcasts
Aus-PNG Network: Podcast series - Women in politics in PNG
In this special Women in Politics series for the Australia-PNG Network, the Lowy Institute's Jessica Collins sits down with prominent women from Papua New Guinea to…
Aus-PNG Network: Women in politics in PNG - Damarise Bonga
Podcasts
Aus-PNG Network: Women in politics in PNG - Damarise Bonga
In the third conversation as part of a series on women in politics in Papua New Guinea, Jessica Collins speaks with Damarise Bonga, a female candidate in the upcoming 2022…
Aus-PNG Network: Women in politics in PNG - Vagi Hemetsberger
Podcasts
Aus-PNG Network: Women in politics in PNG - Vagi Hemetsberger
In this special Women in Politics series for the Australia-PNG Network, the Lowy Institute's Jessica Collins sits down with prominent women from Papua New Guinea to…
Aus-PNG Network: Women in politics in PNG - Theresa Meki
Podcasts
Aus-PNG Network: Women in politics in PNG - Theresa Meki
In this special Women in Politics series for the Australia-PNG Network, the Lowy Institute's Jessica Collins sits down with prominent women from Papua New Guinea to…
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