Dr Jessica Collins
Aid to Pacific Islands, Pacific development policy, Pacific women’s development, Pacific Island politics, remittances.
![Dr Jessica Collins](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/jessica-collins-bio.jpg)
Dr Jessica Collins is 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.
![Australia’s superannuation rules leave Pacific workers out of pocket](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2024-05/GettyImages-148223394.jpg?itok=o85BRYXu)
![Western banks are vacating the Pacific, and Nauru is turning to China](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2024-04/Nauru%20flag%20comp.jpg?itok=b_p3uh_x)
![Tongan attitudes to the world](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2024-03/Tongan%20flag%20comp.jpg?itok=3EOEgDxa)
![State of play for Pacific women in 2024](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2024-03/Fiji%20women%27s%20team%20comp.jpg?itok=uqJVdeF9)
![Pacific Change Makers: NZ High Commissioner Dame Annette King on the Pacific, geopolitical competition, and her time serving in Australia](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-03/Pacific%20Change%20Makers%20BG_0.jpg?itok=wKERGTxe)
![China and Taiwan Are Big Pacific Donors – ButNot for Gender Equality](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-08/Lowy_DefaultImage_new.jpg?itok=oIU1OsDc)
![China and Taiwan are big Pacific donors – but not for gender equality](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-11/Untitled%20design.jpg?itok=qbPy8RXI)