About
Vision
Revolutionizing the Science and Practice of Peace and Conflict
MD-ICCCR is an innovative Science-Practice Center committed to developing knowledge and practice to promote constructive conflict resolution, effective cooperation and social justice. We partner with groups, organizations and communities who wish to learn constructive conflict strategies so that they may develop just and peaceful relationships. We work with sensitivity to cultural differences and emphasize the links between research, education, and practice.
Activities
Research: We lead psychologically informed interdisciplinary research on the core theoretical and practical dynamics of constructive conflict resolution effective cooperation and social justice, built upon the theoretical legacies of Kurt Lewin and Morton Deutsch.
Education: We support the development of future leaders and increase public awareness of constructive strategies for change through our publications, media, certificate programs and executive education offerings.
Practice: We partner with groups and organizations to provide practical, evidence-based, locally relevant services.
Principles
Founded on Morton Deutsch’s legacy, we are committed to:
- Conducting rigorous basic science on difficult social issues.
- Honoring both empirical and practical knowledge.
- Promoting constructive conflict and social justice.
- Engaging in a scientifically informed and culturally sensitive manner.
- Understanding essential phenomena within a complex, systemic context.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Antiracism & Justice
At the MD-ICCCR, we are committed to social justice as a moral responsibility and a basic operating principle, and recognize its direct implications for our research, practice, teaching and learning, and internal operations. Some of the features of social justice that our faculty and staff strive to exhibit include:
- A commitment to recognizing and unpacking historical patterns of exclusion and oppression within the field of conflict resolution education and practice as well as higher education more broadly;
- Promotion of constructive conflict resolution as a vehicle for social transformation;
- Respect of diversity in all its forms;
- Inclusion of all abilities and ensuring appropriate access for our courses and other offerings;
- Eliciting student-faculty feedback;
- And, ongoing critical self-reflection and collective-education on privilege, oppression, implicit bias and antiracist principles, pedagogy, and practice.
We commit to build mindful classroom, research, and working environments that foster these features and promote faculty and staff leadership and participation in the practice of dismantling all forms of oppression. We are dedicated to learning and growth in this area through curriculum development and continuing education. As we work, we commit to communicating transparently and openly the steps we take along the way and welcome your feedback at every stage.