Events on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
PON organizes a large number of events each month to give students, academics, practitioners and the public the opportunity to engage in discussions with leading scholars in the field. These events include Dispute Resolution Forums (DRF), the Kelman Seminar Series, the PON Film Series, and the PON Brown Bag Lunch Series.
The PON Calendar has a complete listing of all current PON events.
In addition, a number of events and activities are organized specifically for the Student Interest Group (SIG), a network that brings together over 650 students interested in the field of negotiation and conflict resolution. SIG events and activities include:
To be notified of upcoming events, and receive updates about internships and job announcements, sign up for the SIG listserv. To subscribe, email Sarah Woodside at swoodside@law.harvard.edu with the subject ‘subscribe.’
Past Events
Below is a sampling of recent SIG events. For past Student Discussion Group events, please click here.
HLS/PON Information Session and PON Open House
PON hosts two open house events in September: a special information session for Harvard Law School students; and an Open House for all interested Boston-area students, faculty, and practitioners.
At both events, PON programs and opportunities such as the International Negotiation Initiative, Student Discussion Groups and Summer Fellowships were presented. The events also provide a great opportunity for networking and connecting with others in the field.
Fireside Chat with Professor Guhan Subramanian
Professor Subramanian spoke with students about his own path into the field of negotiation and about his curent research at a recent Fireside Chat. His research focuses on corporate deal-making and governance, which he illustrated using his recent New York Times op-ed piece, Board Silly, on the impact of corpoarate board structure.
Third Annual PON Internship Fair
Over 15 Boston-area host organizations and 75 students attended the Third Annual Internship Fair. Organizations specializing in the international, educational, legal, and training sectors were all represented.
PON organizes the Internship Fair as part of its mission to help prepare students for careers in negotiation and dispute resolution. At the event, host organizations briefly introduced their organization and the opportunities available to students. Following this, students circulated among tables to speak with representatives and distribute resumes.
Career Panel and Workshop: Pursuing a Career in International Conflict Resolution
Three unique and successful panelists - Craig Zelizer, visiting professor at Georgetown University; Diana Chigas, Project Co-Director, Collaborative for Development Action/Reflecting on Peace Process and Professor of Practice, The Fletcher School; and Rebecca Wolfe, Senior Program Officer, Mercy Corps - shared their personal experiences and gave valuable advice on ways to enter into the competitive world of international conflict resolution. All three panelists described their jobs, backgrounds and offered insights into trends in the field. Presentations were followed by an extensive question-and-answer session.
The panel was followed the next day by an interactive workshop facilitated by Craig Zelizer. During the workshop, Craig provided practical advice about getting your preferred job in international conflict resolution to participants. He discussed concrete strategies such as how to frame your existing skills to grab the attention of employers, how to expand your current skill set most effectively, and helped attendees create an action plan to set and achieve their international career goals.
Informal discussion for student activists with Ela Gandhi
A group of students met with Ela Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s granddaughter, for an informal discussion about her experiences as a peace activist, social worker, and former Member of Parliament in South Africa. Participants asked Ms. Gandhi about her memories of her grandfather, her own philosophical commitment to principled nonviolence - or Satyagraha - and the sociopolitical situations she finds most troubling today. This informal, hour-long session was a follow-up to the Program on Negotiation’s large public symposium of December 4, 2006, Negotiation: The Hidden Dimension of the Nonviolent Struggles of our Era.
Negotiation Simulation: ‘Bubbly Island’
Bubbly Island brought together 35 business, law, and master’s degree students for a one-day multiparty crisis decision-making role simulation. The simulation was facilitated by PON visiting scholar Dr. Sara Ulrich, Senior Lecturer at Paris University XI and Secretary General of the CADMOS. The participants were tested on their leadership skills and their ability to manage the stresses of an international crisis, late-breaking events, and on-the-spot press conferences.
“In addition to things I learned about negotiating, one very strong feeling I left with was the opportunity to be in the position of advocating for another country and seeing from an outsider’s perspective how the US so often comes across….I lived in China for three years and I still had never been hit as profoundly as I was yesterday with the consequences of power differentials and the role of alliances…This is an invaluable gift you have given me.” Eve Bower, Fletcher School (Ambassador of Turkey)
“I felt lucky to have such a key position, and I feel I learned a lot about both the demands of running a meeting and the importance of strategic considerations. It was a truly wonderful experience for me.” Kyle Glover, Harvard Law School (EU Presidency Finland)
“I honestly feel that this was an amazing educational experience, worth every minute, and I believe it gave me some renewed energy.” Luisa Melo, Fletcher School (Ambassador of Ukraine)
“The simulation was a great, great experience. I am really glad I had the opportunity to participate in such an event!” Anna Nyiry, PON Negotiation Seminar Participant (Ambassador of France)
Holiday Wine & Cheese with PON Faculty
An informal Wine & Cheese event gave students the opportunity to meet and mingle with faculty from PON consortium universities who are involved with PON research projects and courses. This provided a great opportunity for students to learn about faculty research, PON’s work, and related opportunities.
PON Summer Fellows Brown Bag Presentation
Under the supervision of Professor Guhan Subramanian, PON supports negotiation and conflict resolution-related internships and research of promising graduate students through the Program on Negotiation Summer Fellowship Program.
In the fall, summer fellow present their experiences and research to an audience of more than thirty students and faculty at a brown lag lunch.
Women, Negotiation and Leadership: A Workshop with Deborah Kolb
Deborah Kolb, professor at Simmons School of Management and author of Her Place at the Table, led an insightful workshop on women, negotiation, and leadership. The workshop discussed four highly effective strategic negotiating moves that women can use to get what they need to be successful in any leadership role.
“We need to negotiate to ensure that the role fits our strengths and abilities, that we have the visible backing of key leaders, and that we have the resources that will enable us to perform effectively.” This was one of the key messages from Professor Kolb to the 35 participants. This is accomplished through preparatory, positioning, process and appreciative moves.
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