Jennifer N. Brass

About the Author

Jennifer N. Brass is a distinguished scholar and author specializing in international development, governance, and civil society dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa. With a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, she has held faculty positions at leading institutions, including Indiana University, where she directs the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law. Her research draws on extensive fieldwork to explore the complex interplay between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and state institutions, shedding light on how these entities shape policy and power structures in post-colonial contexts. Brass's work bridges academic rigor with practical insights, influencing policymakers and activists alike. In her acclaimed book, Allies or Adversaries: NGOs and the State in Africa, she dissects the often ambiguous relationships that define modern African governance, challenging conventional narratives of partnership and conflict.