About
Richard Saunders is an Associate Professor in the Department of Politics at York University's Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. He specializes in African political economy, state-society relations in the Global South, and resource governance. His research focuses on resource nationalism, extractive industries, and neoliberal globalization in Southern Africa. Saunders holds a PhD from Carleton University and has extensive experience in community-based research and civil society collaboration in East and Southern Africa.
Education: PhD, Carleton University; MA, Queens University; BA, St. Francis Xavier University.
Research Interests: Saunders examines how marginalized groups navigate pressures from neoliberal reforms and transnational capital. His work bridges academic analysis with practical support for social movements, particularly around extractive resource policies. Key themes include resource nationalism in Zimbabwe and Zambia, the green transition in African extractivism, and the impact of Canadian mining policies in Africa.
Grants & Leadership: Saunders leads major SSHRC-funded projects, including the 2023-2029 'African Extractivism and the Green Transition' partnership and the 2020-2024 'Resource Nationalism in Southern Africa' initiative. He also collaborates with institutions like the University of Johannesburg and civil society groups such as the Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association.
Labs/Teams: As a senior research associate at the University of Johannesburg's Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, he fosters cross-border academic partnerships. His work supports graduate students in Africa-focused research through York's International Development Studies and Sociology programs.
