Jennifer Parker is an Adjunct Fellow in naval studies at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra and a Nonresident Fellow at the Lowy Institute. She also holds the position of Nancy Bentley Associate Fellow in Indo-Pacific Maritime Affairs at the Council on Geostrategy.

Jennifer has served for more than 20 years with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). During her time in the RAN Jennifer specialised as a Principal Warfare Officer, including undertaking deep specialist training with the Royal Navy in Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer.

Jennifer has extensive operational experience from the Middle East to the Caribbean, and most areas in between. She has undertaken a series of naval appointments nationally and internationally in areas including force design strategy, career management, international exercise planning and operations. That included service as an exchange officer with the Royal Navy. Jennifer’s last appointment in the RAN was as Director of Operations in Bahrain of the Combined Maritime Forces, a 38-nation coalition promoting national security in the Middle East and Indian Ocean region.

Jennifer holds a Master of Arts in Strategy and Security from UNSW, and a Master of Laws from the Australian National University. She has been admitted to the ACT Supreme Court as a legal practitioner. Jennifer’s research areas of interest include maritime security, maritime law, uncrewed capabilities, force design and defence strategy.