Brendan Schwartz

Senior associate (law, economies and justice programme), Natural Resources

Brendan Schwartz's picture
Languages: English, French (professional fluency), Fulfulde (basic)

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

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.