INTRO
SOMEBODY: “So, what do you do?”
ME: “I work with architects, urban planners, city governments…”
SOMEBODY: “Oh, so are you an architect?”
ME: “No, not quite. I’d say ‘applied anthropology’ best describes what I do.”
SOMEBODY: “Anthropology? Like studying humans?”
ME: “Yes, humans in their built environments, to be precise. I like to think of us as a ‘species of spaces.’ People shape places, and places shape people.”
METHOD
Anthropology aims to better understand human interaction and behaviour. Anthropological methods such as participant observation, interviews, workshops, surveys, archival or media research have one thing in common - they all result in a thorough understanding of the existing context. Developing solutions from there, ensures that your project is more connected with its future users.
HUMAN-CENTERED PROJECTS
I take a human-centred approach to every project. Starting with a structured needs analysis, supports designers to create spaces (and services) that are truly meaningful and relevant to the people who will use them. When projects focus only on financial, legal, or technical aspects, they risk becoming outdated from the start - hard to use and even harder to love.
WORKFLOW & PROCESS MANAGEMENT
Change is inevitable and ever-present, yet it often catches us unprepared. I'm a firm believer in structured yet adaptable work processes that help your team stay organised. We begin with a thorough analysis of your existing processes and software. From there, we introduce improvements across a variety of domains: project management and planning, data management, financial oversight, IT infrastructure, knowledge transfer among team members, custom excel solutions for architects, and the refinement of prospection and tender procedures.
ABOUT
With an interdisciplinary background in political science and urban anthropology, I have ten years professional experience in the private and the non-profit sector. I work with i.a. Osmos (social designers), ncbham (interior architecture), Miss Miyagi and Stadsmakersfonds (sustainable real estate), &bogdan architects, noAarchitecten, Sill & Sound Architects, Jo Matba (DJ and producer), Psycol (psychologist collective), Fairphone (sustainable smartphones). Please connect with me on LinkedIn for detailed information about my skills and experience.
CONTACT
Martina Schwab - Applied Anthropology, based in Brussels, Belgium
info@martinaschwab.eu
+32 4 883 663 41
My interventions typically span 1-6 months. For a lasting impact, I also offer opportunities for long-term collaborations and personalized coaching. Thank you for your interest. Don't hesitate to reach out with your questions or projects.
LEGAL NOTICE
IMPRESSUM
Responsible for the content and design of this site:
Martina Schwab
Based in Brussels
BELGIUM
VAT: BE 0644 969 133
Email: info@martinaschwab.eu
DISCLAIMER
The contents of this website were prepared with utmost care. Nonetheless, we cannot assume liability for the timeless accuracy and completeness of the information. This website contains links to external websites. As the contents of these websites are beyond our control, we cannot accept liability for them. Responsibility for the contents of the linked pages is always held by the provider or operator of the websites.
PRIVACY POLICY
Data Protection
Martina Schwab - Applied Anthropology takes your rights concerning your personal data seriously. In this statement Martina Schwab - Applied Anthropology explains how it collects, processes and uses your personal data. It thus constitutes the general privacy policy of Martina Schwab - Applied Anthropology. The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, e-mail address, or telephone number of a data subject shall always be in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and in accordance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to Martina Schwab - Applied Anthropology.
The responsible for data processing is Martina Schwab, based in Brussels, VAT: BE 0644 969 133. For questions concerning this statement and our policy you can at all time contact info@martinaschwab.eu.
When and for which purposes does Martina Schwab - Applied Anthropology collect data and how is it processed?
Martina Schwab - Applied Anthropology collects and process your personal data when you as a customer approach us in the context of our services or when you contact us in one way or another: for instance when you fill in paper or electronic forms, during a conversation, business card exchange, contact by phone or e-mail correspondence. Normally we obtain those data directly from you, but it is possible as well that we receive those data from other parties which whom you collaborate.
We only process data that is needed for the execution of the services you are approaching us for, such as your name, address, e-mail address and professional data, like your company name, financial data and VAT-number and all other data needed in that case. These activities will be referred to as “client administration” and they concern in particular the fulfilment of agreements we make with you. If you are a supplier, we process your data or the data of your contact persons in the context of deliveries of goods or services for the generic purpose of “administration of suppliers”. Further we process your data, as a client or supplier, for making up invoices and other accountancy documents. This makes up the purpose “accountancy”. Finally, we may process your data out of legitimate interest for the execution of our activities, e.g. to consult your advice or address your services. These activities we describe as “communication” or “public relations”.
What are the foundations of the processing of data by Martina Schwab - Applied Anthropology?
Initially we collect and process your data based on the contractual relation we have with you as a consequence of your commission and the contract (service agreement) we conclude with you. That is as well the foundation for the processing of data of suppliers and for the processing in the context of “accountancy”. Where the processing is not necessary for the fulfilment of the contractual relation, as is the case with direct marketing, communication and public relations, it is based on our legitimate interests as a business, especially the freedom to conduct business and of information. Thereby we at all time assure the balance between your and our interests, amongst others by providing you with a right of objection.
Are the data being communicated to third parties?
Your data are mainly processed internally in the context of administration of clients and suppliers or for accountancy purposes. For specific services they may be passed to processors we address, but always under our control. Unless subject to opposition from your side, they can also be shared with other companies with whom Martina Schwab - Applied Anthropology collaborates.
Sometimes we are obliged to share data about you. That is in particular the case when we have the legal obligation or when governance instances that have the right to, ask them from us. In that case we will control if the requirements to request your data are being fulfilled.
Your data are in principle not being passed down to third countries or international organisations. This may however happen in the context of the contracts for cloud services we conclude. In that case your data will possibly be stored on servers of countries to which in principle only we have access. In that case we make sure that the provider of the cloud service is established in a third country with an adequate protection level or that there is an agreement with the provider guaranteeing the protection of your rights.
Your rights
You can at all time inspect the data we process about you and if necessary have them rectified or removed. For this, you can send a request to info[at]martinaschwab.eu, with a proof of identity. This we ask to avoid that your data get shared with a person who has no right on them. In case you disagree with the way Martina Schwab - Applied Anthropology processes your data, you can at all time file a complaint at the Data Protection Authority (www.privacycommission.be), Rue de la Presse 35, 1000 Brussels.
Modifications
Martina Schwab - Applied Anthropology reserves the right to make modifications and updates on this policy. Modifications and updates will be communicated on the website. The entire policy will remain published on the website.
