International Conference at UM Focuses on Global Conflict Management
49th annual meeting of Peace Science Society unites preeminent group for discussion, research
NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | BY EDWIN SMITH
David Carter of Princeton University answers questions after speaking at the 49th Annual North American meeting of the Peace Science Society (International). Photo by Kevin Bain/Communications
A prestigious annual event that encourages the development of peace analysis and conflict management around the globe met at the University of Mississippi’s the Inn at Ole Miss this weekend.
The 49th Peace Science Society International Conference, which began Thursday (Nov. 12) and ended Saturday (Nov. 14), focused on how social science theory relates to international relations. Presenters included scholars and experts from a wide variety of fields.
Representing UM as participants were Jeffery Carter, assistant professor of political science; Benjamin Jones, assistant professor of political science; and Susan Allen, associate professor of political science.
“The Peace Science Society Annual Conference is one of the largest conferences featuring rigorous academic research on peace, violence and conflict around the world,” said Carter, one of the event’s organizers and presenters. “The University of Mississippi is honored to host the conference for the first time in this region.”
Carter presented findings from his paper “You Must Choose, but Choose Wisely: Interstate Conflict and Endogenous Leader Selection.” His talk focused on whether leaders’ personalities influence their decisions on responses to conflict situations.
“We ask questions like, ‘Can the domestic population influence the likelihood of international conflict based upon the leaders’ personal choices?’” he said.
Jones’ presentation, titled “Sequencing Peace: Civil War Termination as a Path-Dependent Process,” included original research on when and how countries plan their recovery after a civil war has ended. Allen chaired a group of presenters Friday morning in Ballroom B.
Besides providing speakers for the conference, the political science department held the event to get students involved.
“It was a great opportunity to see how an academic conference is run, but more importantly, I was able to meet so many young professionals doing amazing new research in my field,” said Nate Andrew, a doctoral student from Mapleton, Utah.
The conference is sponsored by the university’s Office of the Provost, College of Liberal Arts and Department of Political Science.
For more about the Peace Science Society (International), visit http://sites.psu.edu/pssi/.
https://libarts.olemiss.edu/international-conference-at-um-focuses-on-global-conflict-management/
