Biography

Brendon is a DPhil student at the School of Geography and the Environment, supervised by Peter Barbrook-Johnson and Doyne Farmer.

His research focuses on understanding technology adoption, particularly how technologies spread and evolve across countries. He examines the drivers behind cost reductions and deployment patterns in green technologies, using complexity economics and data science approaches. His work aims to uncover the conditions that accelerate or hinder widespread adoption, with an emphasis on equitable outcomes during technological change.

Before coming to Oxford, Brendon co-founded a clean-tech startup focused on battery storage and demand-side management. He also consults on projects related to energy, finance, and strategy.

Brendon holds an MSc in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford, and a BASc in Engineering Physics from the University of British Columbia. He is funded by the Rhodes Trust and the Bezos Earth Fund, and is a former MasterCard Foundation Scholar.

Recent Publications

Jan 2025
INET Working Paper
No. 2025-01 - Technological progress at national level: Increasing diffusion speeds with ever-changing leaders and followers
Brendon Tankwa ,  Lucas Vazquez Bassat ,  Pete Barbrook-Johnson ,  J. Doyne Farmer
Oct 2023
INET Working Paper
View All Related Publications