Anita Müller received her Ph.D. in history from the University of Zurich (1991). She served as a research assistant at the department for Islamic Studies at the University of Zurich (1989-1991), participated in ICRC missions in Kuwait (1991), and worked on cultural issues and racism at the Swiss non-governmental organization "Berne Declaration" (1992-98). She co-chaired the FIZ, a Swiss information and advocacy center for women from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and held a position as head of the Swiss delegation and of the Research, Analysis and Information department at the "Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron" (1998-1999). Before joining swisspeace in 2002, she directed the regional office of the Swiss Cultural Foundation Pro Helvetia in Egypt. At swisspeace she headed the Center for Peacebuilding (KOFF) from 2002-2010. She is now Deputy Director of swisspeace.