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
| 2012 - 2018 | 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
| 2015 - 2019 | 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 2021 | President: Award Committee UZH Alumni Fonds |
| 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) |
Conducted 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.
Editorial boards
Journal of Development Policy, Research and Practice, Pakistan, and European Bullettin of Himalyan Studies