Jeffrey F. Collins is a Canadian defence and foreign policy analyst whose work bridges academic research, public service, and strategic leadership. A national expert in defence procurement and industrial policy, he has published dozens of articles and reports on Canada’s military capabilities, acquisition challenges, and emerging security partnerships, as well as two books: Reassessing the Revolution in Military Affairs (2015) and Canada’s Defence Procurement Woes (2024).
Collins is the inaugural Director of the Palmer Institute for Canadian Leadership at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown. He previously held senior policy roles with Canada’s Department of National Defence and the Government of Prince Edward Island, including work on the 2026 Defence Industrial Strategy. An award-winning teacher, he served as an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Prince Edward Island and remains an Adjunct Professor there.
A frequent commentator in national media, Collins analyzes procurement reform, naval modernization, and middle-power security cooperation, with recent work on submarine acquisition, wildfire-related security challenges, and Canada–Australia defence ties. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Carleton University, an M.A. in Strategic Studies from the University of Birmingham, an LL.B. from the University of Aberdeen, and a B.A. from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Expertise
- Canadian defence procurement
- Canadian seapower / maritime security
- Canada-Australia defence relations
Selected Publications
Collins, J. F. (2024). Canada’s defence procurement woes. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46363-1
Collins, J., & Futter, A. (Eds.). (2015). Reassessing the revolution in military affairs: Transformation, evolution and lessons learnt. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137513762
Collins, J. F. (2019, January). Overcoming ‘boom and bust’? Analyzing national shipbuilding plans in Canada and Australia [Policy paper]. Canadian Global Affairs Institute. https://www.cgai.ca/overcoming_boom_and_bust_analyzing_national_shipbuilding_plans_in_canada_and_australia
Collins, J. F. (2021). Defence procurement and Canadian foreign policy. In R. W. Murray & P. Gecelovsky (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of Canada in international affairs (pp. 275–295). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67770-1_13
Collins, J. F. (2021, September). Deadline 2036: Assessing the requirements and options for Canada’s future submarine force. Macdonald-Laurier Institute. https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/files/pdf/202109_Deadline_2036_Collins_PAPER_FWeb.pdf
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