He holds a doctorate in anthropology (Université Lyon2) and two post-doctorates in anthropology from Université Laval. His research is centered on the links between social recognition, social inequality and rural developpment in Brazil. His thesis is based on an extensive ethnography, and is mainly focused on the social demands of the Landless (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra), or MST, while his post-doctoral research is centered on the struggle against slave labour in Brazil.