Profile
Julia Pickhardt is a research assistant in Sara Hellmüller’s project “Yes I Do: A Theory on Belligerent Consent to United Nations Peace Missions.” She is also conducting her PhD research in the department of International Relations and Political Science, focusing on political agency in multipolar mediation set-ups.
She has over ten years of experience in facilitating and implementing dialogue and mediation efforts in the Middle East, leading initiatives such as the Iran–Saudi Dialogue Initiative at CARPO, political dialogue platforms in Iraq with forumZFD, and inclusive dialogue processes in Yemen with CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation. Holding a BA in Arabic and Islamic Studies and Politics from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and an MA in Development Studies from the Graduate Institute, Geneva, she combines academic training with practical experience in peace and dialogue processes.
PhD Thesis:
From Margins to Power: Belligerents’ Agency in the Shadow of Multipolar Mediation. Exploring Yemen’s Peace Negotiations
PhD Supervisor: Sara Hellmüller
Julia’s PhD project aims to examine how multipolarity affects the agency of conflict parties in peace mediation. Focusing on Yemen as a case study, it explores how belligerents navigate external pressures from regional and international actors and what this means for more effective and inclusive mediation processes.
Areas of expertise:
- Conflict mediation and peacebuilding
- Dialogue Facilitation
- Middle East
Publications and Works:
- Julia Pickhardt & Mustafa Karahamad (May 2021): ‘Overcoming Gulf rivalry? Challenges and chances of Saudi-Iranian dialogue", in: PRIF blog. Available online.
- Julia Palmiano Federer et al. (January 2020): Beyond the Tracks? Reflections on Multitrack Approaches to Peace Processes, swisspeace, CSS ETH Zürich, Folke Bernadotte Academy and HD Centre. Available online.
- (January 2017): ‚Über Nacht wieder beste „Freunde“?‘, in: WeltTrends, pp. 14-16.