Brendan Schwartz

Senior researcher, Natural Resources

Brendan’s work focuses on enhancing rural communities’ participation in shaping natural resource policies and practice.

Full biography

Expertise

His action research focuses on socio-legal empowerment and natural resource policy across thematic areas such as: land tenure, mining, legal redress, legal empowerment, land-based investments and agriculture value chains.

Before IIED

Prior to joining IIED, Brendan worked for the University of Guelph as a research consultant on the study of the politics of commodities in Central Africa. He has also consulted for international development institutions and NGOs in West and Central Africa.

Education
MSc globalisation and development, SOAS; BA international relations, Connecticut College

Current work

Brendan facilitates peer-to-peer learning between civil society activists working to secure land rights in rural areas. He collaborates with Southern-based organisations to assist communities seeking legal redress for land/resource rights violations. Brendan is also involved in multiple projects focused on the mining sector, including in Mali, Cameroon, DRC and globally.