Research

The Conflict Management and International Relations (CMIR) group at ETH Zurich, under the leadership of Prof. Allard Duursma, conducts research on conflict management efforts in armed conflicts. The broader research agenda of our team covers how local and international actors support peace processes. The current research focus is on the effectiveness of mediation and peacekeeping, as well as on the dynamics between peace processes in different types of armed conflicts across local, national, and international levels. We also examine the impact of climate and environmental factors on peacebuilding, particularly in non-state conflicts. Another focus area is the role of local ownership and civil society engagement in peace processes, particularly during implementation phases. To implement this research, we collect and integrate data on negotiations and peace agreements, such as the external page Peace Observatory dataset. We examine broader trends and specific case studies to deepen our understanding of peace processes.