Sara Hellmüller is a Senior Researcher at ETH Zurich. Previously, she was an SNSF Assistant Professor with the Graduate Institute's Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding (CCDP). She was also an academic visitor at the University of Oxford in the fall term 2022. She leads the SNSF PRIMA project "A child of its time: the impact of world politics on peacebuilding" and the SNSF AGORA project “Communicating about Peace: United Nations Peace Missions and their Mandates” hosted by both ETH Zurich and the Geneva Graduate Institute. Until 2019, she worked as senior researcher at swisspeace and lecturer at the University of Basel. Moreover, between 2017 and 2019, she was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Montreal. Sara obtained her PhD in Political Science from the University of Basel. During her doctoral studies, she was a researcher and research coordinator at swisspeace, a visiting scholar at Columbia University in New York, and an affiliated researcher at the University of Bunia in DR Congo.
Sara has (co-)led several multi-annual research projects, such as on the role of norms in mediation (2015-2019, funded by the SNSF), civil society inclusion in mediation (2018-2020, funded by the United States Institute of Peace), and most recently on how changing world politics influence UN peace operations (2020-2024, funded by the SNSF). She has also obtained funding for shorter-term projects implemented in cooperation with partners in Lebanon, Norway, Syria, Turkey, and the United States. Her research has been published in English, French, and German and she is the author of the book “Partners for Peace” (2018, Palgrave Macmillan). In the framework of her employment at swisspeace, Sara has built up their Syria program (including direct support to the UN office of the Special Envoy for Syria from 2016 on 2018) and has been involved in several peace processes, such as in Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, and Darfur.
Expertise details
Impact of changing world politics on UN peace operations
Interaction between local and international peacebuilding actors
Local, national, regional, and international aspects of armed conflicts and their interplay
United Nations peacemaking (particularly in Syria) and peacekeeping (particularly in DR Congo)
Norm diffusion in mediation processes (particularly the norms of inclusivity and impartiality)
Knowledge production on peacebuilding and its transfer to policy and practice
Single-authored monographs
Hellmüller, Sara, 2023, “Die Interaktion zwischen lokalen und internationalen Akteuren in der Friedensförderung: Partner für den Frieden”, Cham: Springer, Link (Translation of English book).
Hellmüller, Sara, 2018, “The Interaction between Local and International Actors in Peacebuilding: Partners for Peace”, Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, Link.
Edited volumes
Hellmüller, Sara; Martina Santschi (eds.), 2014, “Is Local Beautiful? Peacebuilding between International Interventions and Locally Led Initiatives”, Cham: Springer, Link.
Manuscripts under contract
Hellmüller, Sara, “Rethinking Peacemaking in a Multipolar World: Lessons from UN Mediation in Syria”, under contract with Oxford University Press, full manuscript to be submitted by September 2024.
Hellmüller, Sara, “Broadening perspectives on inclusive peacemaking: The case of the UN mediation in Syria”. Forthcoming in Third World Quarterly (January 2024).
Duursma Allard; Corinne Bara; Nina Wilén; Sara Hellmüller; John Karlsrud; Kseniya Oksamytna; Janek Bruker; Susanna Campbell; Salvator Cusimano; Marco Donati; Han Dorussen; Dirk Druet; Valentin Geier; Marine Epiney; Linnéa Gelot; Dennis Gyllensporre; Annick Hiensch; Lisa Hultman; Charles T. Hunt; Rajkumar Cheney Krishnan; Patryk I. Labuda; Sascha Langenbach; Annika Hilding Norberg; Alexandra Novosseloff; Daniel Oriesek; Emily Paddon Rhoads; Francesco Re; Jenna Russo; Melanie Sauter; Hannah Smidt; Ueli Staeger; Andreas Wenger, 2023, “UN Peacekeeping at 75: Achievements, Challenges, and Prospects”, International Peacekeeping, Vol. 30 (4), pp. 415-476, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2023, “Knowledge Production on Mediation: Practice-Oriented, but not Practice-Relevant?”, International Affairs, Vol. 99 (5), pp. 1847-1866, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Laurent Goetschel; Kristoffer Lidén, 2023, “Knowledge Production on Peace: Actors, Hierarchies, and Policy Relevance”, International Affairs, Vol. 99 (5), pp. 1839-1846, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Xiang-Yun Rosalind Tan; Corinne Bara, 2023, “What is in a Mandate: Introducing the Dataset on UN Peace Mission Mandates”, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Vol. 68 (1), pp. 166-192, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Bilal Salaymeh, 2023, “Multiparty mediation in a changing world: the emergence and impact of parallel processes to UN peacemaking in Syria and Libya”, International Journal of Conflict Management. Online first, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Marie Lobjoy; Xiang-Yun Rosalind Tan, 2023, “Beyond Generations: A New Approach to Categorizing Peace Missions”, Global Governance, Vol. 28 (4), pp. 509-533, Link.
Badache, Fanny; Sara Hellmüller; Bilal Salayme, 2022, “Conflict-Management or Conflict-Resolution: What Role in Peacebuilding for the United Nations in a Multipolar World Order?”, Contemporary Security Policy, Vol. 43 (4), pp. 547-571 (shortlisted for 2023 Bernard Brodie Prize), Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2022, “Peacemaking in a Shifting World Order: A Macro-Level Analysis of UN Mediation in Syria”, Review of International Studies, Vol 48 (3), pp. 543-559, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Martin Wählisch, 2022, “Reflecting about the Past, Present and Future of UN Peacemaking”, International Negotiation, Vol. 27 (1), pp. 1-9, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2021, “A Trans-Scalar Approach to Peacebuilding and Transitional Justice: Insights from the Democratic Republic of Congo”, Cooperation and Conflict, Vol. 57 (4), pp. 415-432, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2021, “The Challenge of Forging Consent to UN Mediation Processes in Internationalized Civil Wars - The Case of Syria”, International Negotiation, Vol. 27 (1), pp. 103-130, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2021, “Normen in der Mediation: Analyse und Ausblick”, Zeitschrift für Friedens- und Konfliktforschung, Vol. 10 (1), pp. 77-81, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Jamie Pring; Oliver Richmond, 2020, “How Norms Matter in Mediation: An Introduction”, Swiss Political Science Review, Vol. 26 (4), pp. 345-363, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2020, “Meaning-Making in Peace-Making: The Inclusion Norm at the Interplay between the United Nations and Civil Society in the Syrian Peace Process”, Swiss Political Science Review, Vol. 26 (4), pp. 407-428, Link.
Goetschel, Laurent; Sara Hellmüller, 2019, “Friedens- und Konfliktforschung in der Schweiz”, Zeitschrift für Friedens- und Konfliktforschung, Vol. 8 (1), pp. 79-98, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2019, “A ‘Global and Inclusive Agreement’? Participation of Armed Actors in the Inter-Congolese Dialogue and its Impact on Local Violence”, International Negotiation, Vol. 24 (1), pp. 38-60, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Corinne von Burg; Mathias Zeller, 2014, “Kann Mediation schaden? Konfliktsensitivität in internationalen Friedensverhandlungen”, Konfliktdynamik, Vol. 3 (4), pp. 2-11, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2014, “A Story of Mutual Adaptation? The Interaction between Local and International Peacebuilding Actors in Ituri”, Peacebuilding, Vol. 2 (2), pp. 188-201, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2014, “Explaining the Congo Wars”, book review of “Congo” by Thomas Turner, The Political Quarterly, Vol. 85 (1), pp. 93-95, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2013, “The Power of Perceptions: Localizing International Peacebuilding Approaches”, International Peacekeeping, Vol. 20 (2), pp. 221-234, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2012, “The Ambiguities of Local Ownership - Evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo”, African Security, Vol. 5 (3-4), pp. 236-254, Link.
Sara Hellmüller; Fanny Badache, 2025, “Children of Their Time: The Impact of World Politics on United Nations Peace Missions”, accepted by Contemporary Security Policy (April 2025 issue).
Sara Hellmüller; Goetschel, Laurent; Kristoffer Lidén, 2023, “Knowledge Production on Peace: Actors, Hierarchies and Policy Relevance”, International Affairs, Vol. 99 (5), Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Martin Wählisch, 2022, “Reflecting about the Past, Present, and Future of UN Mediation”, International Negotiation, Vol. 27 (1), Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Jamie Pring; Oliver Richmond, 2020, “Norms in International Mediation”, Swiss Political Science Review, Vol. 26 (4), Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2020, “Mediation”, In: The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Peace and Conflict Studies, Oliver Richmond and Gëzim Visoka (eds.), pp. 1-10, Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2020, “Civil Society Inclusion in Peace Processes”, In: The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Peace and Conflict Studies, Oliver Richmond and Gëzim Visoka (eds.), pp. 1-7, Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2020, “Democratic Republic of Congo: Local and international peacebuilders' interaction”, In: The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Peace and Conflict Studies, Oliver Richmond and Gëzim Visoka (eds.), pp. 1-13, Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2020, “Inclusion and Performance as Sources of Legitimacy: The UN Mediation on Syria”, In: Local Legitimacy and International Peacebuilding, Oliver Richmond and Roger Mac Ginty (eds.), pp. 160-179, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2020, “The Role of Civil Society Actors in Peacemaking and Peacebuilding”, In: The Routledge Handbook of Peace, Security and Development, Fen Osler Hampson, Alp Özerdem, Jonathan Kent (eds.), pp. 407-419, Abingdon / New York: Routledge, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2019, “Beyond Buzzwords: Civil Society Inclusion in Mediation”, In: Conflict Intervention and Transformation: Theory and Practice, Ho-Won Jeong (ed.), pp. 47-63, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2016, “Timing and Sequencing of Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Peacebuilding Efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo”, In: Building Sustainable Peace: Timing and Sequencing of Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Peacebuilding, Arnim Langer and Graham K. Brown (eds.), pp. 243-261, Oxford: Oxford University Press, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2016, “Connections for Peace: Frictions in Peacebuilding Encounters in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo”, In: Peacebuilding and Friction: Global and Local Encounters in Post Conflict-Societies, Annika Björkdahl; Kristine Höglund; Gearoid Millar; Jair van der Ljin; Willemijn Verkoren (eds.), pp. 172-187, London / New York: Routledge, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2014, “Introduction”, In: Is Local Beautiful? Peacebuilding between International Interventions and Locally Led Initiatives, Sara Hellmüller; Martina Santschi (eds.), pp. xv-xx, Cham: Springer, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2014, « Que signifie la paix en République Démocratique du Congo ? Des perspectives locales sur les stratégies internationales », In : Annuaire Français de Relations Internationales Vol. XV, Centre Thucydide (eds.), pp. 657-671, Paris : Université Panthéon-Assas, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2014, “Owners or Partners? A Critical Analysis of the Concept of Local Ownership”, In: Is Local Beautiful? Peacebuilding between International Interventions and Locally Led Initiatives, Sara Hellmüller; Martina Santschi (eds.), pp. 3-14, Cham: Springer, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Heinz Krummenacher; Martina Santschi, 2014, “Concluding Remarks”, In: Is Local Beautiful? Peacebuilding between International Interventions and Locally Led Initiatives, Sara Hellmüller; Martina Santschi (eds.), pp. 85-86, Cham: Springer, Link.
Sguaitamatti, Damiano; Sara Hellmüller, 2012, “Macht und Gerechtigkeit in Friedensverhandlungen“, In: Mediation erforschen? Fragen - Forschungsmethoden – Ziele, Dominic Busch; Claude Hélène Mayer (eds.), pp. 87-110, Wiesbaden: Springer, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Marie-Joëlle Zahar, 2019, “UN-led mediation in Syria and civil society”, Accord Issue on “Navigating Inclusion in Peace Processes”, London: Conciliation Resources, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Julia Palmiano Federer; Jamie Pring, 2017, “Are Mediators Norm Entrepreneurs? Exploring the Role of Mediators in Norm Diffusion”, Working Paper, Vol. 4, Berne: swisspeace, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2015, “Timing and Sequencing of Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Peacebuilding Efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo”, Centre for Research on Peace and Development Working Paper, No. 35. Leuven: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2014, “International and Local Actors in Peacebuilding: Why Don’t They Cooperate?”, Working Paper, Vol. 4, Berne: swisspeace, Link.
Iff, Andrea; Rina M. Alluri; Sara Hellmüller, 2012, “The Positive Contributions of Businesses in Transformations from War to Peace”, Working Paper, Vol. 2, Berne: swisspeace, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Flavia Keller, 2023, “Mediation in Peacekeeping Contexts: Trends and Challenges for Mission Leadership”, Global Observatory, New York: International Peace Institute, Link.
Badache, Fanny; Sara Hellmüller; Rosalind Xiang-Yun Tan; Bilal Salaymeh, 2023, “75th Anniversary of United Nations Peace Missions” Geneva Graduate Institute Newsletter, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Lucile Maertens, 2023, “A Plus for Peace: Switzerland in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)”, Geneva Graduate Institute Newsletter, Link.
Badache, Fanny; Sara Hellmüller; Bilal Salayme, 2022, “Back to the Future? UN Peacebuilding in a Multipolar World Order”, Contemporary Security Policy Blog, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2022, “Wind of Change: Peacemaking in a Multipolar World Order”, British International Studies Association Blog, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2022, “War in Ukraine: Conflict Management in a Multipolar World Order”, Geneva Graduate Institute Newsletter, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2022, “Re-establishing Congruence: UN Peacebuilding in a Shifting World Order”, The Global, Geneva Graduate Institute, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2019, “Congo’s Elections Had a Startling Result. This is What’s Going On”, Monkey Cage, Washington Post, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2018, “Six Aspects to Consider on the Interaction between Local and International Actors in Peace Processes”, Global Observatory, New York: International Peace Institute, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2018, “Mediation Perspectives: Partners for Peace”, Center for Security Studies (CSS) Blog, Zurich: ETH Zurich, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Marie-Joëlle Zahar, 2018, “Against the Odds: Civil Society in the Intra-Syrian Talks”, International Peace Institute Issue Brief, Link.
Abo Naser, Metwaly; Sara Hellmüller; Leila Hilal; Ryme Katkhouda; Yosra Nagui, 2016, “Inside Syria: What Local Actors Are Doing For Peace”, Research Report, Berne: swisspeace, Conflict Dynamics International and FarikBeirut, Link.
Kirchhoff, Lars; Sara Hellmüller; Anna Hess; Anne Isabel Kraus; Chris McNaboe; Valerie Sticher, 2016, “Challenges to Mediation Support in Hot Wars: Learnings from Syria and Ukraine”, Mediation Support Network (MSN) Discussion Points, No. 7, Foreword by Jimmy Carter, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2015, « République Démocratique du Congo : à la recherche d'une réponse durable et globale », Diplomatie, Nr. 16, pp. 48-52, Link (not accessible online).
Hellmüller, Sara; Julia Palmiano; Matthias Siegfried, 2015, “Norm-Pushers or Deal-Brokers? Normative Challenges of Modern-Day Mediators”, Oslo Forum 2015 Background Paper commissioned by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Geneva, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Julia Palmiano; Mathias Zeller, 2015, “The Role of Norms in International Peace Mediation”, Research Report, Berne/Oslo: swisspeace/NOREF, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Julia Palmiano; Mathias Zeller, 2015, “The Role of Norms in International Peace Mediation”, NOREF Policy Brief, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; Corinne von Burg; Mathias Zeller, 2014, “Can Mediation Do Harm? Conflict Sensitivity in International Peace Negotiations”, Essential, Vol. 4, Berne: swisspeace, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara, 2014, « République Démocratique du Congo. Une Lueur d’Espoir ? », Diplomatie, Nr. 69, pp. 8-12, Link (not accessible online).
Hellmüller, Sara, 2014, “Mediation Perspectives: Localizing Peace Processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo”, Center for Security Studies (CSS) Blog, Zurich: ETH Zurich, Link.
Hellmüller, Sara; John Ahere, 2014, “Mediation and Conflict Transformation”, Mediation Support Network (MSN) Discussion Points, No. 5, Link.
Mason, Simon; Sara Hellmüller (eds.), 2013, “Regional Intergovernmental Organizations in Mediation Efforts”, Mediation Support Network (MSN) Discussion Points, No. 3, Link.
Alvarez, Miguel; Sabina Avasiloae; Roxana Cristescu; Paul Dziatkowiec; Sara Hellmüller; Lars Kirchhoff; Anne Isabel Kraus; Simon Mason; Martha Mutisi; Nathan Stock; Barbara Unger; Zahbia Yousuf, 2013, “Translating Mediation Guidance into Practice: Commentary on the UN Guidance for Effective Mediation by the Mediation Support Network”, Mediation Support Network (MSN) Discussion Points, No. 2, Foreword by Jimmy Carter, Link.
Conversation on my article A trans-scalar approach to peacebuilding and transitional justice: Insights from the Democratic Republic of Congo published in Cooperation and Conflict, Link.
Interview on the dataset on the dataset on UN Peace Mission Mandates (UNPMM) that we established as part of the SNSF PRIMA project, Link.
Short movie on my book The Interaction between Local and International Peacebuilding Actors: Partners for Peace, Link.