Dr Jessica Collins
![Dr Jessica Collins](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/jessica-collins-bio.jpg)
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 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.
![Lowy Poll 2023: Australians still jittery about China in the Pacific](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-06/Penny%20Wong%20at%20PIF%20comp.jpg?itok=BiYDWrf6)
![Seeking independence: three books to read this summer](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-12/jessica-ruscello-OQSCtabGkSY-unsplash.jpg?itok=SkwlV1j8)
![Will the new US Congress still pay for its Pacific promises?](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-11/GettyImages-1244620586.jpg?itok=x-8uu43f)
![The Global Fragility Act in PNG: can the US succeed?](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-10/PNG%20parliament%20compressed.jpg?itok=kdWGoZOl)
![What happened at the Pacific Islands Forum](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-07/Albanese%20in%20Suva.jpg?itok=Czvh5TC5)
![Pacific Islands Forum meeting: the black cloud returns](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-07/Kiribati%20at%20PIF.jpg?itok=hpedEtO4)
![What Australians fear with China pressing in the Pacific](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-06/GettyImages-1241087415%20copy.jpeg?itok=O4CrPKj-)
![Gender equality in the Pacific: less talk and more action](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-06/GettyImages-1402764219.jpeg?itok=DxIC75sG)
![An Australia-America-Pacific partnership – for and with the region](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-06/GettyImages-1027412540_3.jpeg?itok=xPLGQbg3)