Area of specialization
Within the broad field of Human Geography I contribute to enhance the knowledge about the institutional dimension of livelihood strategies; local resource-use conflicts; labour migration patterns and migration industry; societal participation processes focusing on South Asia and Switzerland.
Employment and education
Employment
| 2002 – 2019 | Full Professor (Ordinaria) of Geography at UZH |
| 1996 – 2019 | Head of Human Geography Unit |
| 1996 – 2002 | Associate Professor (Extraordinaria) of Geography at UZH |
| 1989 – 1996 | Senior Scientist at Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Dept. of Geography |
| 1985 – 1988 | Postdoctoral fellow at the Nepal Research Program of the German Research Council |
| 1979 – 1985 | Assistant and research associate at Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Dept. of Geography |
Education
| 1993 | Habilitation in Geography |
| 1983 | PhD (Dr. phil.) in Geography |
| 1978 | M.A. in Geography |
| 1973 – 1978 | Studies in Geography, Social Anthropology and Sociology at Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen / Germany |
Academic positions at UZH
| 2016 – 2020 | Director: Graduate Campus of the University of Zurich |
| 2012 – 2013 | Dean of Studies: Faculty of Science (per interim) |
| 2010 – 2012 | Deputy Director of the Department of Geography |
| 2006 – 2010 | Director of the Department of Geography |
| 2006 – 2010 | Directing board of MNF Planning commission of MNF |
| 2004 – 2006 | Deputy Director of the Department of Geography |
Institutional responsibilities and professional service
Commissions
| 2015 – 2018 | President: Gender Commission of Faculty of Science |
| 2013 – 2016 | Advisory Board: MNF-project ‘Gender equality in professorial appointments’ |
| 2008 – 2016 | Steering Committee member: North South Partnerships UZH |
| 2004 – 2016 | University Commission member: International Relationships |
| 2009 – 2011 | Committee: Gender Studies UZH |
| 2000 – 2003 | Committee Member: Public Relations, MNF |
| 1999 – 2003 | President: MNF-Commission: Promotion of Young Researchers, University of Zurich |
Research centres and programs
| Since 2012 | Executive Committee: Centre for Human Rights Studies, University of Zurich |
| 2005 - 2017 | Participating professor: University of Zurich Priority Research Program (UFSP): Asia and Europe |
| 2001 – 2013 | BoD: National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South |
| 2005 – 2009 | Executive Committee member: University of Zurich Priority Research Program (UFSP): Asia and Europe |
Scientific boards
| Since 2015 | Scientific Committee member: Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS) |
| 2014 – 2016 | Scientific Advisory Board: Institute of Interdisciplinary Mountain Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences |
| 2000 – 2008 | Swiss UNESCO commission, domaines sciences naturelles |
Graduate schools and mentoring
| 2010 – 2018 | BoD: International (interuniversity) Graduate School North-South |
| 2010 – 2017 | Study commission member: Doctoral Program UFSP Asia and Europe |
| 2006 – 2010 | Director: Zurich Graduate School in Geography |
| 2001 – 2004 | Adviser: Geo-Vip - promotion of the career of female young researchers |
Network affiliations
| Since 2017 | Council: UZH Alumni |
| Since 2011 | Corresponding member: Austrian Academy of Science |
| Since 2011 | Member: AcademiaNet |
| 2001 – 2018 | President (2001 – 2004), Vice-President (2004 – 2018): Geographic Ethnographic Society of Zurich |
| Since 2014 | Honorary member: Geographic Ethnographic Society of Zurich |
| 2013 – 2017 | Council: Zürcher Universitätsverein (ZUNIV) |
| 2010 – 2013 | Council (treasurer): European Association of South-Asian Studies |
| 1999 – 2002 | Advisory Board: Interacadémique Commission de Recherche Alpine (ICAS) |
Approved research projects
- “The Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora in Switzerland and its post-war forms of engagement in Sri Lanka”, SNSF (2017– 2019)
- “Employment Fund Nepal, Qualitative Impact Study Study”, Dept. of Geography, RIDA, U. Müller-Böker (lead), Helvetas (2015 – 2016)
- “Recruitment agencies in Nepal”, SDC (2013 – 2015)
- Thematic Node “Institutions, livelihoods and conflicts”, DSGZ, SwissPeace, U. Müller-Böker (lead), National Centre of Competence in North-South (2009 – 2013)
- “Negotiating rural development in South Asia’s periphery”, U. Müller-Böker. ProDoc SNSF (2008- 2011)
- Work Package “Livelihood options and globalisation”, DSGZ, Laboratoire de Sociologie Urbaine (EPFL), U. Müller-Böker (lead); National Centre of Competence in North-South (2005 – 2009)
- Individual Project “Institutional Change and Livelihood Strategies“, DSGZ, NADEL, Social Anthropology (UZH), U. Müller-Böker (lead); National Centre of Competence in North-South (2001 – 2005)
- “The Power of Images – their Creation, Reproduction and Strategic Use in the Shaping of Alpine Future”, N. Backhaus & U. Müller-Böker, NRP 48, SNFS (2002 – 2005)
- “Combining River Flood Protection and Nature Protection in Switzerland: Negotiating Institutional Change between the Logic of Planning and Societal Praxis”, U. Geiser & U. Müller-Böker (collaborators), EAWAG / WSL (2002 – 2006)
- “People and Resource Dynamics in Mountain Watersheds of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas, scientific backstopping in the field of socio-economic issues in natural resource management”, U. Müller-Böker & M. Kollmair, ICIMOD (2002 – 2005)
- “Searching Institutional Regulations for Sustainable Water Use in India and Switzerland”, U. Geiser & U. Müller-Böker, SNFS (1999 – 2002)
- “Nature and Society: Concepts of Nature exemplified by the Protected Areas of Nepal”, SNFS (1998 – 2001)
Teaching and supervision
Since 1996 until 2019 responsible for and involved in the teaching program at Bachelor, Master and Doctorate level.
Supervised PhD Theses: 26 (completed), 3 (ongoing).
Reviewing
Scientific board Erdkunde, editorial board Journal of Development Policy, Research and Practice, Pakistan, research councils and institutions (e.g. SNSF, DFG, RCN, ETHZ, VW-foundation, NGS, SNIS), appointment procedures (Switzerland, Germany, Austria, UK, Thailand, USA, Singapore), habilitations and promotions.