In Memoriam: Professor I. William Zartman

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Professor I. William (Bill) Zartman on 28 July 2025 at the age of 93. Bill was a friend of our department, a valued collaborator with several of our colleagues over the years, and the recipient of the honorary doctorate from our department.

Bill Zartman was a towering figure in the fields of negotiation, conflict resolution, and peace processes. Known worldwide for introducing the concepts of Ripeness Theory and Mutually Hurting Stalemate, he combined academic brilliance with a remarkable commitment to bridging research and practice. His career spanned decades of scholarship, institution building, and teaching, including at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, where he served as Jacob Blaustein Distinguished Professor of International Organization and Conflict Resolution.

Bill worked extensively in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, not only producing influential books and articles but also engaging directly in peacemaking initiatives—from proposing peace plans in Colombia to advising African leaders on conflict resolution in the Great Lakes region. He was a founding figure in several scholarly associations, helped establish important overseas research centers, and trained generations of students and practitioners.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was awarded numerous honors. Many here will remember him not only for his scholarship but also for his generosity of spirit, intellectual curiosity, and enduring support for our work.

Our thoughts are with his wife Marie-Daniele, his son Alex, and the rest of his family. Bill’s passing is a great loss to our field and to all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.