Silvia Susnjic

Silvia Susnjic, an ICAR Ph.D. student, is spotlighted this month for her research on peace psychology. Susnjic first became interested in the field of conflict resolution while studying psychology at Lewis- Clark State College. Susnjic credits her adviser, who specialized in nonviolence and peace psychology, for influencing her interest. After completing her degree in psychology, she moved on to Columbia University to research conflict resolution. Now at ICAR, Susnjic says that the Institute "seemed a normal part of the sequence, a perfect program with my interests in peace and conflict resolution and the emphasis on combining research and practice."

Susnjic is currently writing her dissertation at Point of View in Mason Neck as one of three fellows residing there. Her dissertation is on historical memory of the Bosnian s, Serbians and Croats and how it influences the perception of the other. Additionally, as chair of the Student and Early Career Working Group, part of the Peace Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association, Susnjic promotes a collaborative research project involving students and faculty interested in conducting multidisciplinary research in the field. "There is not enough research on historical memory as well as the relationship between psychology and conflict resolution," says Susnjic.

Reflecting on her time at ICAR, Susnjic states, “I am grateful to the entire faculty to have received a successful and inspiring education at ICAR, particularly professor Dennis Sandole. Professor Sandole gave me the strength to overcome all of the difficulties I faced in the past two years. He is a tireless mentor always encouraging me to 'shoot for the stars'. His guidance, encouragement and persistence have served to inspire these principles both in my academic and personal life."

After completing her dissertation, Susnjic would like to research and teach at a university in interdisciplinary studies or psychology.