Dr. Govinda Clayton is a senior researcher in peace processes at the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich. His research focuses on negotiation; mediation; and dialogue processes. He currently leads a research programme focusing on ceasefires during civil war, in collaboration with the Swiss and Norwegian Ministries of Foreign Affairs. He has published work in all of the leading international peer-​reviewed peace and conflict journals, including: the Journal of Peace Research; Journal of Conflict Resolution; International Studies Quarterly; Conflict Management and Peace Science; Cooperation and Conflict; and Studies of Conflict and Terrorism. As well as mainstream media outlets, such as the Washington Post.

Beyond academia Dr Clayton is actively involved in the development and practical use of conflict resolution tools. He is the executive director of the British Conflict Research Society (CRS) and a member of the Folke Bernadotte Academy conflict prevention working group, and regularly works with major international organisations and foreign ministries. Dr Clayton has run negotiation capacity building workshops, peacebuilding projects and supported processes in locations including: Lebanon, Myanmar, South Korea, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Armenia, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Dr Clayton has worked with the United Nations, World Bank, African Union. As a consultant he helped develop the Heineken Worlds apart advertisement.

He is also the ‘Connector’ on Doha Debates.