Summary
Over the month of April, S-CAR was honored with eight awards, including a national award to Dean Kevin Avruch from the International Studies Association! Two books and a book chapter were published along with seven newspaper articles. Three tv appearances including a TEDx talk by Richard Rubenstein, and two radio interviews focused on means for resolving conflicts at home and abroad. Aya Hijazi, BA ’09, was part of this year’s White House Correspondents Dinner, in a pre-taped video segment shown just before the journalism awards ceremony.
Daniel Rothbart’s book on Systemic Humiliation in America, which included many chapters from S-CAR faculty, was published at the end of March, and is included at the end of this report in a section catching up on previous reports.
Chris Mitchell, Susan Allen, Laura Villaneuva, Dominika, Econa, and the Center for Peacemaking Practice hosted a delegation from Colombia (Bogotá, Medellin, and Antioquia) to discuss Colombia’s peaceful transition.
S-CAR was a strong presence at this year’s ISA conference in San Francisco, with twenty community members (at last count – please let us know if we missed somebody) presenting a multitude of papers, and acting as chairs and discussants. Three dissertations were defended by Joseph Obeng-Baah, Edward Thompson, and Irene Turner. Three books which received book launches this month, but were published earlier in the year, are highlighted at the end of the report, including the extensive number of chapters written by S-CAR faculty and students.
Awards and Honors
Julie Shedd, PhD ‘13 and Associate Dean, and Samantha Borders-Shoemaker, PhD candidate, were members of a joint team, with Fairfax County Libraries, that received the “Mason’s Jack Wood Town and Gown Award” on April 17, 2018.
Scott Cooper, MS ‘10, received an alumni award from “ASU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Alumni Honored for Entrepreneurial Spirit” from Arizona State University on April 18, 2018.
Robin Ericson, PhD ‘08, and adjunct faculty, was awarded Mason’s “2018 Online Teaching Excellence Award” from George Mason University on April 16, 2018.
Thomas Flores was awarded a “Grant Award from Institute of International Education and the United States Agency for International Development.” on April 25, 2018.
Carol Daniel Kasbari, PhD candidate, received the “AAUW American Dissertation Fellowship” from the American Association of University Women, April 16, 2018.
Patricia Maulden was invited to be an “Ambassador, George Mason University Diversity, Inclusion, and Well-Being Summit 2018 Design Team.” on April 18, 2018.
Sana Saeed, MS ‘08, was awarded the “Tsubaki Grand Shrine Scholarship” from the Tsubaki Ōkami Yashiro organization on April 2, 2018.
Academic Publications
Books
Suzanne de Janasz, Karen Dowd and Beth Schneider published a new version of their book Interpersonal Skills in Organizations, 6th Edition by McGraw-Hill Professional, April 10, 2018.
Michael D English, PhD ‘15, published his dissertation work into a book entitled The US Institute of Peace: A Critical History by Lynne Rienner Publishers, on April 12, 2018.
(*Note- three more books recently published but not in April are noted at the end of this report)
Book Chapters
Daniel Agbiboa published a chapter entitled “Patronage Politics and Electoral Violence in Lagos, Nigeria: Understanding the Micro-Level Dynamics” in Violence in African Elections Between Democracy and Big Man Politics by Zed Books, 2018.
S-CAR in the News
Alexandra Sosik and Fadel Allassan quoted Derek Sweetman, PhD candidate, in an article about “A New Generation Takes the Forefront in Gun Control Debate.” LocalKicks: Alexandria Virginia News, April 26, 2018.
David Alpher, PhD ‘11, article “Why Can’t Trump Just Take out Assad?” published in Medium, April 10, 2018 was reprinted a multitude of times nationally and internationally.
Danielle Douez reference Megan Price, PhD ‘16. “When Police Use Force: 3 Essential Reads” in an article for The Conversation, April 4, 2018.
Talha Kose, PhD ‘10, explored “Threats and Actions in Response to the Chemical Attack in Douma” for the Daily Sabah on April 12, 2018.
Rachel Manteuffel interviewed David J. Smith, MS ‘09, and Adjunct Faculty, in an op-ed piece for The Washington Post as “A Former Divorce Lawyer Became a Peace Activist. Was That the Best — or Worst — Training?” on April 10, 2018.
Hilary Matfess quoted Terrance Lyons in an article entitled “Fixing Ethiopia Requires More Than a New Prime Minister” in Lawfare, April 22, 2018.
Angela Mendes, PhD candidate, wrote an article entitled "Bridging differences: migration and integration in the Mediterranean" for S-CAR News, April 27, 2018.
Emily Yahr and Abby Ohlheiser wrote a Washington Post article on April 30, 2018, about the “White House correspondents’ dinner 2018: A complete recap, including Michelle Wolf’s controversial speech” which included a highlight about a video message by Aya Hijaz, BA ‘10.
Television and Radio Presentations
TV
Ibrahim Fraihat, PhD ‘06, explored the question “Will North Korean Give up Their Nuclear Weapons? ل تتخلى كوريا الشمالية عن برنامجها النووي؟,” on April 21, 2018 for Al Jazeera.
Aya Hijazi, BA ‘10, was invited by the White House Correspondents Association to create a video entitled “Aya Hijazi Addresses 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner” for the annual event held this year on April 28, 2018.
Richard Rubenstein presented a “TEDx- Transforming Violent Systems: The Key to Social Peace by Dr. Richard Rubenstein” at George Mason University on April 12, 2018.
Radio
Arthur Romano was engaged in a conversation on Sputnik International in a segment entitled “Kanye Supports Trump; Cosby Found Guilty; Candyman Jackson Out of VA” on April 27, 2018.
Yerevan Saeed, PhD student, was interviewed on the “Western Air Strike, Russian-Iranian Retaliation and Role of UN in Syria” for SBS KURDISH, April 15, 2018.
S-CAR Events, Presentations, and Public Lectures
Christopher Mitchell, Susan Allen, Laura Villaneuva, Dominika, Econa, and the Center for Peacemaking Practice hosted a delegation from Colombia (Bogotá, Medellin, and Antioquia) to discuss Colombia’s peaceful transition.
Mohammed Cherkaoui PhD ’12, presented a paper at the Al Jazeera Forum ‘Island Conference’ on April 28th on “Gulf, Arabs and the world in the context of ongoing developments " and was then given the honor of chairing the closing session entitled "Any future scenarios waiting for the Middle East” on Sunday April 29, 2018.
Idil Izmirli, PhD ’09, presented a paper entitled “Islam, Islamic Institutions, and Politics of Persecution in Pre-and Post-Occupation Crimea” for the International Conference “Crimea Matters”, April 28, 2018 at Colombia University, NY.
Daniel Rothbart served as an expert witness in the matter of a possible deportation of an immigrant to South Sudan, presented by the Executive Office of Immigration Review on April 2, 2018. [The court ruled against deportation in this case].
ISA 2018 Presentations
Susan Allen, Chair and Discussant - Action Research in Conflict Resolution Research and Practice
Tatsushi Arai, PhD ’05, Paper- “Syria: Capacity-Building for Reconciliation”; Discussant- “Scientific Study of Religion and International Studies”
Rochelle Arms, PhD candidate, Paper- “Practitioners Researching Their Own Practice: The Case for Action Research in Studying Conflict Analysis and Resolution”
Kevin Avruch, National Award Recipient and Distinguished Scholar Panel- Peace Studies Section: Distinguished Scholar Roundtable.
Hannah Brown, PhD student, Paper- “Providing Refuge: A Human Rights Regime Analysis of Legal Protections for Displaced Persons in Sub-Saharan Africa” (with Natasha Bennett (University of California, Santa Barbara)
Alexander Cromwell, PhD candidate, Papers- “Researching Peace Education with Pakistani Youth: Ethics in Interpretivist and Action Research Approaches”; “Supporting Peace Education Follow-On to Strengthen Peacebuilding Practice”
Carol Daniel Kasbari, PhD candidate, Paper- “Ethical Challenges in Studies of Decolonizing Resistance: The Case of Palestinian Everyday Resistance (Sumūd)” (with Sean Chabot (Eastern Washington University) and Stellan Vinthagen (Gothenburg University))
César Estrada Perez, PhD candidate, Paper- “Disappearances and Clandestine Graves in Mexico: Killable Youth in Contemporary Systems of Mass Violence”
Sarah Federman, PhD ‘14, Paper- “Genocide Testimonies: Narrative and Ethnographic Approaches”
Pamina M. Firchow, Papers- “Interactive Approaches to Peacebuilding and Reconciliation Policy: Research, Design, Implementation, and Evaluation”; “A Conceptual History of Reconciliation in Conflict-Affected Settings”; “The Impact of the Colombian Peace Accord on the Pueblos Indígenas: Using Bottom-Up Indicators to Include Communities in Measurement”; Roundtable participant- “Assessing New Research Approaches to Indicators of Peace”
Philip Gamaghelyan, PhD ‘17, Paper- “Misconceptions and Advantages of Participatory Action Research: A Case Study of Research with Conflict Resolution Practices in Nagorno-Karabakh and Syria”
Landon Hancock, PhD ‘02, Paper- “1916 – 2016 Commemorations of Difference in Northern Ireland”; Chair- “The Economics of Ethnic Conflict, Discussant- International Interventions and Local Resistance”
Douglas Irvin-Erickson, Papers- “International Studies, Action Research, and Problematizing Power: Rules, Epistemology, and Norms”; “Dying in the Age of Vacuity: Genocide, Terrorism, and Other Visions of Good Guys and Bad Guys”; Chair- “Genocide and World Politics: Global Rules, Complex Forces, and Transforming Conditions”
Karina Korostelina, Papers- “Truth or Reconciliation? Canada's Legacy of Colonial Politics”; “Friend or Foe: Conflicting Identities Guiding Altruism”; “Intergroup Conflict and Social Boundary in Central Asia”; “Foreign Policy Approach to Resilience”.
Agnieszka Paczynska, Chair, Roundtable participant- “Emerging and Traditional Donors and Conflict-Affected States: The New Politics of Reconstruction”; Chair- “Foreign Aid, Security, and World Politics”; Discussant – “Domestic and International Aspects of Electoral Norms and Practices”
Jeremy A. Rinker, PhD ‘09, Paper - “Identity, Rights, and Awareness: The Power of Discourse to Change Entrenched Systems of Oppression”
Oded Adomi Leshem, Phd candidate, Paper- “Scaring Rival Parties into Collaboration: Fear, Threat, and Support for Negotiation in Intractable Ethnonational Conflicts”; Discussant- “Emotions, Trauma, and Mindsets in Peace Studies”.
Lisa McLean, PhD candidate, Paper- “Resisting Erasure: Migration, Gendered Activism, and Mourning in Mexico”
Jessica M. Smith, PhD candidate, Paper- “Power & Participation: Women’s Approaches to Social Transformation in the Aftermath of War”; Roundtable participant – “Measuring Inclusion”.
Daniel Rothbart, Paper- “State-Sponsored Psychic Violence: Instruments of Power over Marginalized Groups “
ISA Working Groups
Juliette Shedd, PhD ‘13 and Associate Dean - Change in the Higher Education Landscape: The Power of Intercultural Networks in Innovative Learning
Sarah Rose- Jensen, PhD candidate - Pay It Forward: Women Helping Women (by invitation only)
S-CAR Dissertations Defenses
Dissertation Defenses
Joseph Obeng-Baah - “Unearthing the Undercurrents of Social Conflict in a Multinational Mining Project Community in the Eastern Region of Ghana” on April 16, 2018.
Edward Thompson - “Transcendent Community and the Question of God: An Insight-based Study of Spiritual Discernment in a Church in Conflict” on April 10 2018.
Irene Turner - “Mgr. Christophe Munzihirwa: Leadership and Influence on the Dynamics of the Congo Conflict” on April 26, 2018.
Updates to previous S-CAR Activity reports
Books
Adina Friedman, PhD ‘06 and Adjunct Faculty. School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Pioneers in the Field, 1982-2017, Mason Publishing Group. October, 2017.
Christopher Mitchell and Landon Hancock, PhD ‘02. Local Peacebuilding and Legitimacy: Interactions between National and Local Levels, Routledge Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, February 20, 2018.
Daniel Rothbart. Systemic Humiliation in America: Finding Dignity within Systems of Degradation, Palgrave Macmillan, March 31, 2018.
Book Chapters
Catherine Ammen, MS ’11, and Christopher Mitchell. “Legitimacy, International Accompaniment, and Land Reform in Colombia” in Local Peacebuilding and Legitimacy: Interactions between National and Local Levels, Routledge Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, February 20, 2018.
Rajit Das, MS ’16. “External Peacebuilders and the Search for Legitimacy: The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy in Kashmir” in Local Peacebuilding and Legitimacy: Interactions between National and Local Levels, Routledge Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, February 20, 2018.
Landon Hancock, PhD ’02. “Legitimate Agents of Peacebuilding: Deliberative Governance in Zones of Peace” in Local Peacebuilding and Legitimacy: Interactions between National and Local Levels, Routledge Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, February 20, 2018.
Karina Korostelina. “Insults as Tools of Systemic Humiliation” in Systemic Humiliation in America: Finding Dignity within Systems of Degradation, Palgrave Macmillian, March 31, 2018.
Patricia A Maulden. “Targets of Violence, Zones of Peace: The Child and School as Post-Conflict Spaces” in Local Peacebuilding and Legitimacy: Interactions between National and Local Levels, Routledge Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, February 20, 2018.
Christopher Mitchell. “By What Right? Competing Sources of Legitimacy in Intractable Conflicts” in Local Peacebuilding and Legitimacy: Interactions between National and Local Levels, Routledge Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, February 20, 2018.
Christopher Mitchell, and Landon E. Hancock, PhD ’02. “Legitimacy, Peace and Peacebuilding” in Local Peacebuilding and Legitimacy: Interactions between National and Local Levels, Routledge Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, February 20, 2018.
Joseph Montville, S-CAR associate. “The Civil War at 150 Years: Deep Wounds Yet to Heal” in Systemic Humiliation in America: Finding Dignity within Systems of Degradation, Palgrave Macmillian, March 31, 2018.
Arthur Romano. “Truth-Telling from the Margins: Exploring Black-Led Responses to Police Violence and Systemic Humiliation” in Systemic Humiliation in America: Finding Dignity within Systems of Degradation, Palgrave Macmillian, March 31, 2018.
Daniel Rothbart. “Power and Humiliation” in Systemic Humiliation in America: Finding Dignity within Systems of Degradation, Palgrave Macmillian, March 31, 2018.
Mary Hope Schwoebel, PhD ’08. “Hybrid Sources of Legitimacy: Peacebuilding and Statebuilding in Somaliland” in Local Peacebuilding and Legitimacy: Interactions between National and Local Levels, Routledge Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, February 20, 2018.
Solon Simmons. “Systemic Humiliation and Practical Politics: Class Thematic Reasoning and the Rise of Donald Trump” in Systemic Humiliation in America: Finding Dignity within Systems of Degradation, Palgrave Macmillian, March 31, 2018.
Laura Villanueva, PhD candidate. “Harnessing Legitimacy through Networks: Civilian-Led, Closed Virtual Communities as a New Type of Zone of Peace” in Local Peacebuilding and Legitimacy: Interactions between National and Local Levels, Routledge Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, February 20, 2018.
Presentations
Tatsushi Arai, PhD ‘05, led the first in a series of missions in March 2018 in north-eastern Nigeria for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN migration agency, to conduct a multi-stakeholder survey aimed at establishing a model of former Boko Haram fighters' peaceful return and reintegration in their home communities.