Rowan Moore Gerety is a Phoenix-based investigative journalist and author specializing in political conflict, environmental justice, and economic inequality in Southern Africa. His work for The New York Review of Books, NPR, and The Atlantic combines anthropological rigor with narrative depth, often focusing on communities marginalized by globalization.
We’ve followed Rowan Moore Gerety’s career as a journalist and audio producer with admiration for his incisive reporting on global inequities. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Gerety has built a reputation for immersive storytelling that bridges anthropology and journalism. His work spans Mozambique’s post-colonial economy, environmental conservation, and the human toll of political instability. After studying anthropology at Columbia University, Gerety began his journalism career in 2011, contributing to outlets like The New York Times, Harper’s Magazine, and The Atlantic, while producing award-nominated radio documentaries for NPR and BBC.
Gerety’s most recent long-form analysis dissects Mozambique’s 2024 presidential election and its violent aftermath. The piece traces the resurgence of Frelimo, the ruling party since independence, and its suppression of opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane’s campaign. Gerety combines on-the-ground accounts of police brutality with macroeconomic critiques, highlighting how foreign mining and gas companies exploit the instability. His reporting reveals how protests over electoral fraud evolved into broader demands for a “new social contract,” underscoring the intersection of corporate interests and state violence. The article’s depth—drawing from historical context, survivor testimonies, and corporate financial disclosures—exemplifies Gerety’s ability to weave complex narratives into urgent, accessible journalism.
This radio feature and accompanying article explore Mozambique’s controversial crocodile culling program, designed to reduce fatal attacks on villagers while funding conservation efforts. Gerety interviews fishermen, government officials, and biologists, balancing human safety concerns with ecological sustainability. His nuanced portrayal challenges simplistic “man vs. nature” frameworks, instead highlighting how poverty and resource scarcity drive conflict. The piece remains a touchstone for debates on community-led conservation, cited by NGOs and policymakers alike.
Adapted from his book of the same name, this essay delves into the paradoxes of Mozambique’s rapid economic growth. Gerety profiles individuals like Bento, a child laborer in Maputo, to illustrate the gaps between GDP metrics and lived reality. His anthropological lens exposes how foreign investment in gas and coal exacerbates inequality, leaving subsistence farmers and fishermen behind. The article’s blend of personal narratives and macroeconomic analysis influenced development discourse, prompting critiques of World Bank policies in the region.
Gerety prioritizes stories that illuminate grassroots activism and systemic oppression, particularly in Mozambique and neighboring countries. Pitches should highlight connections between local struggles and global capital, as seen in his NYRB coverage of anti-Frelimo protests. For example, his reporting on Albino José Sibia’s killing by police underscores his interest in citizen journalism and digital dissent. Avoid U.S.-centric angles unless tied to multinational corporations or diaspora communities.
Gerety’s NPR piece on crocodile culling demonstrates his knack for linking environmental issues to socioeconomic justice. Successful pitches might explore climate migration, resource extraction, or community-led conservation in the Global South. He avoids “parachute journalism,” so prioritize sources with on-the-ground expertise, such as local NGOs or subsistence farmers.
His Atlantic essay exemplifies his skill at contextualizing contemporary crises within colonial legacies. Pitches could examine cultural practices disrupted by globalization or the resurgence of indigenous knowledge in post-conflict zones. Gerety rarely covers urban art or entertainment trends unless tied to broader political themes.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Politics, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
