Michelle LeBaron

Michelle LeBaron joined the UBC Law Faculty in 2003 as a full professor and Director of the UBC Program on Dispute Resolution. From 1993-2003, she taught at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution and the Women's Studies program at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Prior to moving to the US, she directed the Multiculturalism and Dispute Resolution Project at the University of Victoria. Professor LeBaron has lectured and consulted around the world on intercultural conflict resolution, and has practised as a family law and commercial mediator. She was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1982 after articling at Campney and Murphy in Vancouver.

Professor LeBaron's research focuses on how the arts can foster belonging and social cohesion across cultural and worldview differences. Her current project investigates how dance, movement and kinesthetic awareness can enhance practitioners' and parties' capacities to transform conflict and is the subject of a forthcoming book. Professor LeBaron's most recent book is Conflict Across Cultures, with co-editor Venashri Pillay of ACCORD (South Africa) and colleagues from three other world regions. She has also published on creativity, intuition, spirituality and intercultural relations.

Professor LeBaron also works on religion and conflict, exploring how identity, belonging and faith can foster community connection and resilience in diverse settings. She writes poetry and fiction and is a long-time practitioner of yoga.