Status of the "State of the Field" Plotted Out at Point of View
On November 30, 2007, the Point of View: Center for Advanced Studies in Conflict Dynamics and Intervention hosted a workshop titled "Towards Defining the State of the Field: A Research Agenda for Conflict Resolution". The workshop, organized by Professors Nadim Rouhana and Andrea Bartoli at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR) at George Mason University, brought together an impressive roster of scholars, practitioners, students, and guests.
The workshop's main objective was to help further define the boundaries of the field of conflict resolution, sharpen its definition, and set a research agenda for the field. The daylong workshop consisted of three panels, two hours each, and began with welcoming remarks by the Associate Director of ICAR, Kevin Avruch, and workshop organizers.
Each panel featured three speakers that were followed by discussion among all participants. The first panel focused on the issue of conflict resolution boundaries, definitions, and new approaches. It also addressed the questions of the relationship between conflict resolution and other fields and the distinguishing aspects of conflict resolution from other fields.
The first panel was facilitated by HoWon Jeong and included the following presenters: Ron Fisher from American University, Nadim Rouhana from ICAR, and Marc Ross from Bryn Mawr College.
The second panel, facilitated by Sandra Cheldelin, focused on conflict resolution practice, such as the range of practice methods and the requirements for appropriate practice. Panelists included Mohammed Abu-Nimer from American University, Eileen Babbitt from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and Andrea Bartoli from ICAR.
The third panel focused on perspectives for setting a research agenda for the next ten years. The panel was facilitated by Christopher Mitchell and included the following panelists: Terrence Lyons from ICAR, Tamra Pearsond'Estrée from the University of Denver, and Anthony Wanis-St. John from American University.
The response of the participants was enthusiastic. A comprehensive written workshop report is now available in print and online. This event is just the first in a series of workshops on the state of the field of conflict resolution.
ICAR graduate students and alumni that assisted with this event were Karolyn Bina, Scott Cooper, Mónica Flores, Karen Grattan, Samuel Rizk, Pamela Struss, and Mark Stover.
Please visit the Point of View: Center for Advanced Studies in Conflict Dynamics and Intervention website at http://icar.gmu.edu/ pov.html to download "Towards Defining the State of the Field: A Research Agenda for Conflict Resolution" and to view a listing of future events.