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Simon J. A. Mason is a Senior Researcher and Head of the Mediation Support Team at the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich. He has been working with the Mediation Support Project (MSP), a joint initiative between CSS and swisspeace supported by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), since 2005. Additionally, he has been involved in the Culture and Religion in Mediation project (CARIM), also supported by the Swiss FDFA, since 2011. Mason is a member of the UN and OSCE mediation rosters and serves as a senior advisor in the Master of Advanced Studies ETH Mediation in Peace Processes program. Mason holds a doctorate in environmental science from ETH Zurich and is a trained mediator accredited by the Swiss Mediation Association SDM. His educational background combines scientific training with practical mediation expertise, allowing him to bridge technical and diplomatic aspects of conflict resolution. Mason's research focuses on the application of mediation in complex peace processes, with particular attention to contexts where religious and cultural factors significantly influence conflicts. His work explores how mediation can effectively address security arrangements and navigate the complex relationship between environmental factors, natural resources, and conflict dynamics. Through extensive field experience in regions including Afghanistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Libya, North Korea, Palestine, Sudan, and Zimbabwe, Mason has developed practical insights that inform his academic contributions to the field of peace mediation. Mason has been actively involved in designing and delivering specialized training programs, including co-organizing the Peace Mediation Course for the FDFA and serving as a trainer in the annual UN Ceasefire Mediation Course and the Religion and Mediation Course. His practical experience spans conflict contexts worldwide, where he has facilitated workshops on conflict analysis, dialogue, negotiation, and mediation for diverse stakeholders including UN, OSCE, IGAD, and EU institutions. As head of the Mediation Support Team at CSS, Mason leads a group dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of peace mediation. The team produces research, develops practical tools for mediators, and provides direct support to mediation processes worldwide. Under Mason's leadership, the team has established itself as a leading center for mediation expertise, particularly in the areas of ceasefire negotiation, religious dimensions of conflict, and the intersection of environmental factors with peace processes.

• Peace Mediation
• Conflict Resolution
• Ceasefire Negotiations
• +3 more

Prof. Allard Duursma is an Assistant Professor and Chair of the Conflict Management and International Relations group at ETH Zürich. His research focuses on mediation, peacekeeping, and the interlinkages between local, national, and international armed conflicts. He employs quantitative methods and field-based case studies, notably developing the Peace Observatory dataset on peace negotiations. His work addresses topics like ceasefire effectiveness, third-party mediation strategies, and the impact of digital technology on peace processes. Prof. Duursma holds a PhD from the University of Oxford (2015), focusing on mediation legitimacy. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of International Peacekeeping and Executive Director of the Peace Observatory. His consultancies include advising the African Union, European Union, and United Nations on conflict resolution strategies. Key research areas include civilian protection in peacekeeping, mutual interventions in Africa, and the role of host-state consent in UN missions. He emphasizes evidence-based approaches to peacebuilding, combining rigorous data analysis with fieldwork insights. His recent work explores challenges in local ceasefire implementation, the evolving role of UN peacekeeping, and technology's dual-edged impact on conflict resolution processes.

• Conflict Management
• International Relations
• Peacekeeping
• +3 more

Dr. Julia Palmiano Federer is a Senior Researcher at the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zürich, where she leads a book project on process design for peace mediation. She is also a PhD Candidate at the University of Basel and a Program Officer in the Mediation program at Swisspeace. Her work spans academia and policy, with extensive teaching experience in Europe, Turtle Island (Canada and the U.S.), and Southeast Asia. Education: MA in International Affairs from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. PhD Candidate at the University of Basel. Research Interests: Her research focuses on innovative and critical approaches to peace mediation and conflict resolution. Key areas include the role of norms in peace mediation, the influence of NGOs in peacemaking, the impact of Track Two dialogues on inclusion and effectiveness, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous ethical knowledge exchange on mediation and peacemaking. Publications and Research Trends: Her recent publications delve into the complexities of peace mediation, particularly in Myanmar, exploring themes like norm promotion, NGO roles, and the challenges of inclusive peace processes. Her work often examines the intersection of liberal and illiberal norms in mediation, the unforeseen consequences of norm promotion, and the role of Track Two diplomacy in conflict resolution. Scientific Awards and Recognition: While no specific awards are mentioned, her work is widely recognized in the peace mediation community, and she is an active member of several prestigious institutions and networks, including the Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Collaboratory at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership, the Geneva Center for Security Policy, and swisspeace. Advising and Grants: Her research is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, and she has contributed to policy papers on international peace mediation, gender, and Myanmar politics. She is also involved in networks supporting women and women of color in peace and conflict research. Labs and Teams: She is part of the CSS Mediation and Peace Promotion Cluster at ETH Zürich and collaborates with various research groups and networks dedicated to peace and conflict studies.

• Peace Mediation
• Conflict Resolution
• Norms in Mediation
• +5 more

Dr. Corinne Bara is a Lecturer at ETH Zürich's Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, specializing in international security policy. Her research focuses on peace and conflict dynamics with particular emphasis on ceasefire agreements and peacekeeping operations. Research interests center on civil conflict resolution mechanisms, including: Ceasefire agreement implementation and sustainability Credibility dynamics in conflict bargaining UN and non-UN peacekeeping mission effectiveness Post-conflict violence patterns Civil war recurrence prevention Recent work analyzes ceasefires as central components of conflict management, examining how institutional arrangements and reputation factors influence their success. Publications establish new datasets for comparative conflict research and develop theoretical frameworks linking violence patterns to conflict resolution outcomes. Teaches 'Researching Peace and Security' at ETH Zürich, covering methodological approaches to peace and conflict studies.

• Conflict Resolution
• Peace Studies
• Civil War Dynamics
• +2 more

Dr. Valerie Sticher is a Senior Researcher at the Center for Security Studies within ETH Zurich's Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences. Her interdisciplinary work bridges political science, conflict studies, and technological innovation, focusing on how satellite data and AI can enhance conflict analysis and humanitarian response. Previously, she has held academic positions at the University of Zurich, Johns Hopkins University, AI Singapore, and Leiden University. Dr. Sticher's research interests center on the dynamics of armed conflicts, with particular emphasis on ceasefire compliance, strategic decision-making processes in war, and the application of remote sensing technologies for monitoring conflict zones. She employs both qualitative methodologies and computational approaches to analyze how satellite data, particularly nighttime light imagery and SAR data, can serve as proxies for identifying humanitarian crises and assessing war-related damage. Her work on the Remote Monitoring of Armed Conflicts project represents a significant contribution to automating the detection of war damage through open-access satellite imagery. Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward integrating technological innovations with traditional conflict analysis, particularly focusing on Ukraine and other active conflict zones. She has pioneered methods for using satellite-based nighttime light data to monitor humanitarian situations and has developed machine learning approaches for assessing building damage in conflict areas. Her research bridges the gap between political science and data science, creating actionable insights for policymakers and humanitarian organizations. Dr. Sticher has received multiple awards for her research, though specific awards are not detailed in available sources. Her work has been published in leading journals including Communications Earth & Environment, British Journal of Politics and International Relations, and International Studies Review. Her academic journey reflects a unique trajectory from practical field experience to scholarly research. Before entering academia, she served as a political affairs officer for the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste and as a senior program officer with the mediation support team at the Center for Security Studies, providing her with valuable on-the-ground insights that inform her current research. Dr. Sticher is actively involved with the Remote Monitoring of Armed Conflicts project and the Deep Learning-based Mapping of Conflict project at ETH Zurich's Center for Security Studies, where she serves as Co-Principal Investigator. These initiatives represent cutting-edge interdisciplinary efforts to develop automated systems for conflict monitoring that can enhance both academic understanding and practical humanitarian response.

• Armed Conflicts
• Conflict Analysis
• Satellite Data Applications
• +5 more