The CNCR's Conflict Resolution in Schools Program (CRiSP) examines the institutionalization of conflict resolution education (CRE) in K-12 schools.
The CRiSP was initiated in 1998 as a service-learning pilot engaging university students to teach conflict resolution knowledge, skills, and abilities to students in the Atlanta Public Schools. The pilot was completed in 2001 and the CRiSP moved to its current research phase. Consortium members are examining issues of institutionalization of CRE in K-12 schools with the objective of producing practical, accessible materials for school stakeholders and conflict resolution theorists and practitioners. Some of the subjects under consideration include:
Examining the current state of law and policy, both state and federal, regarding CRE and how it impacts the institutionalization of CRE in K-12 schools. Click here to view the Conflict Management in Education (CME) Legislative Database.
Identifying the most common barriers to institutionalization of CRE in K-12 schools and how they may be successfully overcome.
Providing direction for school stakeholders to determine whether CRE is appropriate to meet the needs of their school.
Consistent with the mission of the CNCR is the study of institutionalization of Conflict Management (CM) in the University System of Georgia. The Board of Regents' Initiative and Policy Direction on Conflict Resolution, enacted in 1995, required each of the 34 institutions within the University System of Georgia to design and implement a CM program to meet their individual needs.
In collaboration with the Chancellor's Office, the CNCR provides technical expertise and training support for the Initiative; administers the System-wide Mediation Program; and, conducts periodic evaluation on the development and implementation of CM.
For more on Conflict Management in Higher Education, please visit our section on this site.
Since its founding, the CNCR has promoted the study of complex, multi-party, public policy disputes, particularly those involving the natural environment. The CNCR members have participated in numerous EDR processes as facilitators and mediators. Co-founder and Executive Committee member, Dr. Michael Elliott evaluates the effectiveness of processes and institutions used in the resolution of such disputes.
In addition, the CNCR is developing a collaborative program with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on institutionalizing innovative and collaborative processes for the resolution of international environmental and natural resource disputes.
The CNCR has initiated and supported research across a broad range of topics in conflict resolution. Currently, the CNCR primary research mission is to understand the institutionalization of conflict handling mechanisms. “Institutionalization” refers to “the extent to which there are well-known, regularized, readily available mechanisms, techniques, or procedures for dealing with a problem.” (Miller & Sarat, 1980-81).
In addition to the Conflict Resolution in Higher Education, CRiSP, and Environmental Dispute Resolution programs, the CNCR has initiated and currently sustains a number of on-going research projects:
The Lexicon Project:
In 1989, the CNCR initiated the Lexicon Project to monitor the development of language in the emerging field of conflict resolution; to increase knowledge and awareness of the wide range of conflict resolution terms and their meanings, nationally and internationally; to improve dialogue and understanding between professionals and theorists in conflict resolution; and to promote uniformity and consistency of the professional language. In September of 1999, the Project's Dictionary of Conflict Resolution was published by Jossey-Bass. Orders can be made through Jossey-Bass or through www.amazon.com or through similar booksellers.
The Lexicon Project monitors the creation and evolution of the language of conflict resolution and solicits new terms, definitions, and comments from interested individuals and organizations. Please contribute by e-mail to CNCR@gsu.edu, or by mail to "The Lexicon Project" c/o CNCR.
Court-Connected ADR Evaluation Project:
In November, 2000, the CNCR hosted a conference on the evaluation of court-connected ADR (CCA) programs. CCA programs are the most visible pervasive attempts at institutionalization over the last two decades. Attended by administrators of CCA programs and leading researchers and evaluators from around the country, the conference focused on best practices for future research and evaluation in this area. The CNCR maintains a collection of evaluation instruments and reports on CCA programs, maintains a database of current laws on CCA qualifications and ethics for neutrals, and continues to support additional research in this area.
ADR Transplant Project:
The CNCR promotes the development of best practices in the attempt to institutionalize conflict handling strategies developed in one society into another society. After hosting a conference on the topic in March, 2001 (see conference papers published in 19:3 Conflict Resolution Quarterly 2002), the CNCR continues to support inquiry in this area. Projects include a comparative study of court-connected mediation in Germany and Australia.
Research Fellows, Seed Grants, and Symposia:
Consortium Research Fellows are highly-qualified researchers in the early stages of their professional careers. See Consortium Research Fellows for more information on their research activities.
Through seed grants and symposia series, the CNCR has initiated numerous conflict resolution theory-building projects, some of which are reflected in the CNCR Working Papers series.
