Catherine Panter-Brick is the Bruce A. and Davi-Ellen Chabner Professor of Anthropology, Health, and Global Affairs at Yale University, with appointments at the Jackson School of Global Affairs and Department of Anthropology. She directs the Global Health Studies Multidisciplinary Academic Program and the Program on Conflict, Resilience, and Health, focusing on biocultural analyses of adversity, resilience, and peacebuilding. Key affiliations: Yale Institute for Global Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences, African Studies, South Asian Studies Her research examines: Health impacts of poverty, armed conflict, and social marginalization Intergenerational trauma and epigenetic signatures Refugee mental health and psychosocial interventions Gender roles in post-conflict recovery Systems-level approaches to peacebuilding Publications since 2022 demonstrate sustained focus on: Conflict-related stress biomarkers (cortisol, telomere length) Community-based mental health programs for refugees Cultural dimensions of resilience and wellbeing Humanitarian policy innovation and science diplomacy Scientific Recognition: Lucy Mair Medal (2011) for anthropological applications to poverty alleviation Keynote speaker at UN, WHO, and World Bank As Senior Editor of Social Science & Medicine 's Medical Anthropology section, she bridges academic research with policy implementation through fieldwork in Afghanistan, Syria, Jordan, and Brazil.
Mohammed Abu-Nimer is a full professor in the International Peace and Conflict Resolution program at the School of International Service (SIS), American University. He serves as the Chair of the Said Abdul Aziz for Peace and Conflict Resolution and previously directed the Peacebuilding and Development Institute from 1999 to 2013. He is also the co-founder and co-editor of the Journal of Peacebuilding and Development. With over 35 years of teaching experience, Professor Abu-Nimer holds a PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University, complemented by MA and BA degrees from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. His academic credentials are matched by extensive field experience conducting interreligious conflict resolution training in Egypt, Northern Ireland, the Philippines, Israel, Palestine, Chad, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka. His research specializes in faith-based peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue in social cohesion, and peace education methodologies in Arab and Muslim contexts. Professor Abu-Nimer has developed courses including SIS-619 Special Studies in International Politics: Dialogue: Approaches & Applications (Spring 2025) and SIS-613 Reconciliation and Justice (Fall 2025), reflecting his focus on practical applications of peace theory. His scholarly output shows consistent thematic development toward evaluating interreligious peacebuilding frameworks and documenting religious diversity management in the Arab region, with recent publications demonstrating increasing methodological sophistication in measuring peacebuilding outcomes. His significant recognition includes: Niwano Peace Prize 41st Award (2024) Leverhulme Foundation International Scholar Fellowship (2023) SIS Outstanding Scholarship Award (2013-2014) George Mason University Alumni Association Award of Distinction (2009) Jennings Randolph Senior Peace Fellow (2008) Professor Abu-Nimer maintains active engagement with international organizations, having served as senior advisor for policy and research at the Center for Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue in Vienna (2013-2021) and as founder of the Salam Institute for Peace and Justice, demonstrating his commitment to bridging academic theory with practical peacebuilding initiatives worldwide.
Emmanuel Katongole is a Professor of Theology and Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame, affiliated with the Keough School of Global Affairs and the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Catholic University of Louvain and has served in academic roles at Duke University, Uganda Martyrs University, and other institutions. His expertise spans African political theology, reconciliation, and Catholicism in the Global South. Education: Ph.D. in Philosophy, Catholic University of Louvain (1996) Master's in Religious Studies and Philosophy, Catholic University of Louvain (1995–1993) Bachelor's in Divinity and Philosophy, Pontifical University Urbaniana and Makerere University (1987–1983) Research Interests: Theology of reconciliation, political theology in Africa, and the Catholic Church's role in global conflicts. His publications include Who Are My People? (2022), Born from Lament (2017), and The Sacrifice of Africa (2010). He has received awards such as the Christianity Today Book Award (2008) and the Thomas Langford Award (2010). His work bridges theology, peacebuilding, and social justice, with a focus on African contexts. Grants/Fellowships: Kellogg Institute Research Fellowship (2013), Luce Fellowship (2017–18). Labs/Teams: Core faculty at the Kroc Institute; collaborator with Contending Modernities and the Center for Reconciliation (Duke).
Madhawa Palihapitiya is an academic professional affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he serves as a Lecturer in the Conflict Resolution Program at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies. He also holds the role of Associate Director at the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration (MOPC), overseeing research, program evaluation, and fundraising for mediation initiatives. Education: MA in Conflict Resolution from Brandeis University BA from the University of Colombo Completed law courses at Sri Lanka Law College His work spans violent conflict prevention , mediation program design , and evaluative frameworks , with over 15 years of experience in both academic and practical conflict resolution domains. His research focuses on early warning systems , community-based mediation , and collaborative governance , often integrating data analysis and ICT for peacebuilding into his work. He has authored numerous publications on themes such as hate crime monitoring , housing stability through mediation , and court-connected ADR systems . His career bridges academic rigor with real-world applications in peacebuilding and public policy .
Eve Zucker is a Lecturer in Anthropology at Yale University, with affiliations at Columbia University’s Weatherhead Center for East Asian Studies, Cornell University’s Southeast Asia Program, and the Center for Khmer Studies (CKS). Her research focuses on mass violence aftermaths, social memory, and digital memorialization, particularly in Cambodia and Southeast Asia. She explores how societies recover from trauma through indigenous practices, rituals, and emerging technologies. Her key work includes Forest of Struggle: Moralities of Remembrance in Upland Cambodia , examining Khmer Rouge aftermaths, and co-editing volumes like Coexistence in the Aftermath of Mass Violence . She leads projects like the Digital Archive of Memorialization of Mass Atrocities (DAMMA), investigating AI’s role in preserving historical memory. Her research bridges anthropology, genocide studies, and digital humanities. Zucker’s interests span moral order reconstruction, virtual memory mediums, and post-conflict ethics. She serves on the boards of the Southeast Asian Council (SEAC) and CKS, advocating for grassroots memory initiatives.
Christopher Blair is an Assistant Professor of Politics at Princeton University's Department of Politics. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from the University of Virginia. His research focuses on the political economy of conflict and migration, examining counterinsurgency policies' impact on rebel and civilian behavior, host responses to displaced populations, and public opinion's role in shaping foreign policy. Research Interests: Blair's work bridges International Relations and comparative politics, specializing in international security, civil conflict dynamics, migration policies, and political psychology. He explores topics like refugee repatriation, border fortification, climate migration attitudes, and the interplay between historical analogies and foreign policy decisions. Recent Trends in Publications: His recent work emphasizes the geopolitical implications of migration and security, including border control strategies, climate displacement, and the effectiveness of sanctions. He also investigates how collective experiences, such as natural disasters, shape public climate policies. Teaching: Blair teaches courses on international relations, American foreign policy, and seminars on violent non-state actors and graduate research in international relations.
Marco Williams is a Professor in the Department of Radio/Television/Film at Northwestern University's School of Communication, where he leverages documentary filmmaking to explore critical intersections of race, history, and justice in America. An acclaimed director with over three decades of impactful work, his films serve as vital educational resources and catalysts for national dialogue on social issues. His academic foundation includes: MFA in Afro-American Studies, UCLA MFA in Producer’s Program, UCLA BA in Visual and Environmental Studies, Harvard University Williams' research centers on documentary as a tool for social change, with primary focus on African American historical narratives, civil rights legacies, and systemic inequities. His cinema verite approach combines rigorous scholarship with compelling storytelling to illuminate underrepresented perspectives and challenge dominant historical narratives. This methodology has established him as a leading voice in visual anthropology and critical race studies within media production. His filmography reveals consistent thematic evolution toward deeper examinations of institutional racism and resilience, with recent works expanding into educational equity and cultural memory. Williams' films frequently bridge academic research and public engagement through PBS broadcasts, film festival circuits, and community screenings that spark participatory dialogue. His extensive honors include: Emmy Award for Freedom Summer George Foster Peabody Award for Two Towns of Jasper Alfred I duPont Silver Baton Guggenheim Fellowship Lehman Brady Visiting Professorship at Duke/UNC National Association of Black Journalists Award Pan African Film Festival Awards Williams maintains significant academic influence through his professorship at Northwestern and previous role at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where he shaped emerging filmmakers' approaches to ethical storytelling and social documentation.
Lara J. Nettelfield is a Clinical Professor in the Program in International Relations at New York University. Her research focuses on human rights, forced migration, transitional justice, technology's societal impact, and social movements. She co-authored Srebrenica in the Aftermath of Genocide (2015), which examines post-genocide social repair mechanisms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and authored Courting Democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2010), analyzing the impact of the ICTY on democratization. Both books received significant academic recognition, including the Marshall Shulman Prize (2011). Nettelfield holds a PhD in Political Science from Columbia University, with additional training at the Harriman Institute. Her career includes work with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), OSCE, and NATO Parliamentary Assembly, alongside NGO advisory roles. She serves on editorial boards for journals like East European Politics and Review of International Studies , and frequently contributes to media outlets such as the New York Times , Foreign Policy , and BBC . Her recent projects include an oral history initiative on Europe's refugee crisis and analyses of technology's role in humanitarian efforts. Awards include the HEA Fellowship (UK) and multiple research grants on Balkan conflict studies. Nettelfield's work bridges academic rigor with practical policy engagement, emphasizing accountability mechanisms and civil society roles in post-conflict reconstruction. Her publications span scholarly articles on missing persons, asylum system critiques, and lessons from European migration policies. She remains actively engaged in debates about racial equality in US asylum systems and the ethical dimensions of quantitative data in conflict analysis.
Eric Legg is an Associate Professor in the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University, affiliated with the Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions and the Global Sport Institute. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Utah, an M.S.S. from the United States Sports Academy, an M.A. from Wake Forest University, and a B.A. from the College of William & Mary. His research focuses on socio-ecological approaches to youth sport development, exploring how community experiences can maximize positive outcomes through coaching education, transformational leadership, and collaboration between non-profits and government agencies. Key themes include sense of community in sports, grit, empathy, and public-private partnerships. Legg has published extensively in journals like SCHOLE , Journal of Park & Recreation Administration , and Sport, Education, and Society , emphasizing applied research with community partners. His recent work addresses pandemic-era educational pivots, diversity in sport governance, and sport’s role in post-conflict peacebuilding. He serves as National Council Chair for the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA), chairs its Training Advisory Group, and founded the nonprofit Tennis on the Hill. Legg teaches courses on youth sport management, nonprofit assessment, and community service evaluation at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Mehmet Yavuz serves as an Assistant Professor within the School of Human Sciences at Kansas State University's College of Health and Human Sciences. He earned his doctoral degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Manitoba and completed his master's at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. His academic career spans teaching and research focused on transformative peace processes, particularly examining how marginalized identities navigate and reshape post-conflict societies. Dr. Yavuz's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Manitoba M.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell Dr. Yavuz's scholarly work critically investigates the complex interplay between peacebuilding initiatives, identity formation, and systemic marginalization. His research program centers on disrupting normalized forms of violence—whether direct, structural, or cultural—across diverse social contexts. Key areas include queer peacebuilding in divided societies, intergenerational trauma transmission, youth-led reconciliation efforts, and community-engaged methodologies. Geographically, his work concentrates on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Turkey, and broader regions of the Balkans and Middle East, offering nuanced perspectives on how sexual and ethnic minorities navigate post-conflict landscapes. Analysis of Dr. Yavuz's recent publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory centered on LGBTQIA+ experiences within peace processes. His scholarship demonstrates particular innovation in applying queer theory to post-Yugoslav reconciliation efforts in Bosnia, while also examining rural pride movements in Kansas and migrant justice during the pandemic. Methodologically, his work consistently employs qualitative approaches and community-based participatory research, generating rich insights into how marginalized communities create spaces for resistance and transformation even within constrained political environments. As an academic advisor, Dr. Yavuz actively supervises graduate students working at the intersection of peace studies and social justice. He directs the Creative Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Lab (CPACT), which provides research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students through volunteer positions and funded assistantships. His externally supported research includes a Peace and Justice Association mini grant for investigating LGBTQIA+ activism in Manhattan, Kansas, demonstrating his commitment to locally grounded peacebuilding initiatives. The Creative Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Lab (CPACT) serves as Dr. Yavuz's primary research hub, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration on three key projects: rural pride activism in Kansas, queer peacebuilding in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ethnic reconciliation processes. This lab environment emphasizes experiential learning, connecting theoretical frameworks with community-based action to develop innovative approaches to conflict transformation.
Erasmus Jacobus Petrus Cilliers is an Associate Teaching Professor at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy, specializing in development economics with a focus on education quality improvement in sub-Saharan Africa. His work spans field experiments evaluating teacher professional development programs in Indonesia, Mozambique, and El Salvador. He contributes to the World Bank's Coach program through his advisory role and has conducted influential research on post-conflict reconciliation in Sierra Leone and school accountability in Tanzania. Education: University of Oxford: D.Phil in Economics (Rhodes Scholar) University of Oxford: M.Phil in Economics (Distinction) Research interests center on education policy, conflict recovery, and governance. His work bridges academic rigor and policy impact, addressing challenges such as teacher incentives, school accountability reforms, and the digital transformation of teacher training. Media coverage of his research includes mentions in the South African State of the Nation address and global outlets. Grants and advisory roles include leadership of a multi-million dollar research fund (Research into Improving Systems of Education) and World Bank consultancy on education reforms in Tanzania and Nigeria. His training programs on impact evaluations have guided policymakers globally.
Lauren Young is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of California, Davis, and Director of Graduate Studies. She co-directs the UC Davis Contentious Politics Lab with Juan Tellez. Her research focuses on political violence and collective action, particularly election violence dynamics in Zimbabwe and vigilante responses to crime in Mexico. Methodologically, she pioneers the use of WhatsApp for data collection in conflict zones and develops ethical research frameworks for violent contexts. Her work integrates experimental methods with field research, emphasizing reproducibility and transparency. Key affiliations include Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP), the Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA), and the Future of Democracy Initiative at UC IGCC. Recent research explores party strength’s role in election violence and citizen responses to crime through anger-driven mobilization. Her publications span 2021–2025, addressing topics like repressive governance, electoral clientelism, and conflict resolution strategies in authoritarian settings. She advocates for methodological innovation in politically sensitive environments while maintaining rigorous ethical standards.
Peter Mandaville is Professor of International Affairs at the Schar School of Policy and Government and Director of the AbuSulayman Center for Global Islamic Studies at George Mason University. He served as Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at USAID (2024-25) and Senior Advisor at the United States Institute of Peace (2022-24). His government roles include positions at the U.S. State Department's Policy and Planning Staff and Office of Religion and Global Affairs. His research examines the intersection of religion and international relations, particularly the geopolitical dimensions of religious soft power. Key areas include: State use of religion in foreign policy Transnational Islamic networks US religious engagement strategies Political Islam in global affairs His publications focus on religious soft power, Wahhabism's global influence, and US policy approaches to religious engagement. Recent works analyze Saudi religious transnationalism (2022), religious freedom in national security frameworks (2022), and critiques of Western exceptionalism in Muslim engagement (2020-2021). Research supported by: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Henry Luce Foundation. Advising: Supervised doctoral dissertation on Arab Christian identity in the US (Randa Kayyali, 2013). Leads the AbuSulayman Center for Global Islamic Studies, coordinating research on Muslim political thought and state-religion dynamics.
Paul A. Shackel is an Affiliate Professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park, with a primary affiliation in the Department of Anthropology (ANTH). His research focuses on historical archaeology, labor history, and heritage studies, with a particular emphasis on marginalized communities and industrial landscapes. Shackel’s work bridges academic scholarship with public engagement, addressing themes like structural violence, memory politics, and community representation. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology and has conducted extensive fieldwork in Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal regions, examining labor conflicts, mining trauma, and ethnic divides. His research methodologies include oral history digitization, text mining, and archaeological surveys of industrial sites like Eckley Miners’ Village and the Lattimer Massacre site. Shackel has also explored cultural heritage in contexts such as Cuba, Greenland, and Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park. Shackel’s articles critically address topics like unchecked capitalism in industrial regions, the transgenerational impacts of structural violence, and the role of museums in negotiating contested histories. He advocates for heritage practices that center marginalized voices and foster social justice. Recent projects include studies on New Philadelphia, an early multiracial townsite in Illinois, and the Rosewood Massacre, emphasizing intersectional violence and collective memory. His work has contributed to public benefits through heritage preservation initiatives, civic engagement programs, and archaeological tourism frameworks that promote peacebuilding and cultural understanding.
Dr. Luke Glowacki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Boston University, with affiliations to the Center for Innovation in Social Science and African Studies Center. His research focuses on human evolution, warfare dynamics, and social behavior in small-scale societies, particularly among Ethiopian/South Sudanese pastoralists. Education: PhD, Harvard University His work combines fieldwork with computational modeling to understand intergroup violence, cooperation, and cultural evolution. Publications span Science , PNAS , and Nature Human Behaviour , with popular science contributions to New York Times and Washington Post . He co-founded the Omo Valley Research Project in 2019. Research Trends: Recent publications emphasize social network impacts on conflict (2025), cultural evolution of rituals (2024), and subsistence-behavior links (2023). Key themes include warfare origins, cooperation mechanisms, and methodological innovations in studying mobile populations.
