Welcome!

What a wonderful time to begin this blog than on my birthday!   I am so thrilled to began this exciting venture and the get to know you my readers as I share resources related to conflict resolution and peacemaking.  It is evident with the social climate we live in today that more attention is needed in resolving conflict on a global perspective.  On a daily basis we are bombarded by media with a variety of forms of violence from school bullying, workplace violence, corporate dispute and political conflict in chambers resulting in all but fist fights among statesmen.

When I decided to begin my journey into the doctorate program at Nova Southeastern University during Fall 2010, little did I know at the time that I would begin a venture that is exciting, challenging and eventful.  I entered the program with a particular interest in researching why negotiations end in many impasses - be it mediation, national, or international hostage negotiations.  I am currently working towards developing my research topic focusing on impasse impacted by fear and the inability to forgive. Particular focus is on the topic Afrocentricism and Eurocentrism schools of thought and the conflict that has divided cultural groups who continue to have differences of opinions on the subject.  The conflict has been emotional charged and divisive among African-Americans and Whites alike.  My research currently is focusing on identifying what the particular issues are that seems to be dividing people groups.

My courses began last fall with Foundations of Conflict Resolution and Human Factors, which set the pace for the courses that followed.  To date, I have completed Conflict Theory, Mediation, Public Policy, Qualitative Research Methods and Crisis Negotiation, Qualitative Research Methods II, and Practicum Research.

Hopefully, this forum will have a two-fold purpose - to share the academic ventures I will be engaging in with my research and the experiences and lessons learned as a PhD student while on this journey.
I hope you will enjoy the regular updates during this wonderful chapter in my academic life and the research subjects presented.  I hope to feature not only updates on work I will be engaging with over time, but also those of my academic peers who are conducting exceptional research in their prospective areas and interest in a broad arena of topics.  Your comments and inputs are welcome.

Peace and Blessings,
Nona