LANDON E. HANCOCK
Assistant Professor, Center for Applied Conflict Management and Political Science Department
My research concentrates on the issue of ethnic conflict. This examination includes the dimensions of ethnic identity formation and change; the dynamics of ethnic conflicts; and the interplay of structural forces, institutions and policies with ethnic and cultural factors; and how these impact the outbreak of conflict, its resolution and the roles of these elements in the success or failure of post-conflict peace-building.
My most recent publications include a top to bottom review of the Northern Irish peace process published in International Studies Review, the number two journal of the International Studies Association, distributed to its over 4,000 members in over 80 countries. Additionally, in 2007 I co-edited—with Christopher Mitchell—Zones of Peace examining the role that sanctuary has played—and is currently playing—in hot conflicts and post-conflict zones. This work, in which I have several authored or co-authored chapters, has been well received with one review noting that the conclusion provides "excellent theoretical and practical knowledge" and "puts forth solid suggestions" for the use of peace zones. My co-editor and I will be presenting our book and subsequent developments at Notre Dame University in fall 2008.
Current research projects include work on culture and transitional justice; procedural justice in transitional justice—both of these reflecting an interest gained through teaching a seminar on the same—the role of framing in selling peace processes to constituents and a book prospectus focusing on patterns of interaction that lead either to the outbreak of ethnic violence or to the peaceful dissolution of troubled states. Two other main projects are extensions of my dissertation work examining the role of identity in the Northern Irish peace process. I am working with two colleagues to replicate this study in the context of the failed Oslo peace accords, and have already collected interview material from Israelis and Palestinians. My other study is more quantitative, examining the nature and effects of threat, and whether people tend to discriminate more or less when their primary identities are threatened. Both of these studies are funded by grants from the Solomon Asch Center at Bryn Mawr College.In addition, I was awarded a Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellowship by the United States Institute of Peace in 2001, which supported my research efforts examining the Northern Irish Peace Process.
Prior to coming to KSU I taught courses in conflict resolution, peace studies and ethnic conflict at George Mason University, American University and the University of Baltimore and have given guest lectures at Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv and Tblisi State University in the Republic of Georgia.I am currently a member of the International Studies Association and the International Society for Political Psychology.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Office: 321 Bowman Hall, Office D
Phone: 330-672-0904
E-mail: lhancoc2@kent.edu
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Conflict Analysis & Resolution, The Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution, George Mason University, 2003
M.A., International Relations, San Francisco State University, 1997
B.A., International Relations, San Francisco State University, 1991
FIELDS
Conflict Analysis & Resolution, Ethnicity & Race, Identity Conflicts, Social Identity, Peacekeeping, Peacemaking and Peace Processes, Religion and Conflict
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The interaction between identity conflicts and peacemaking. Indigenous and local peace processes, social conflict and development, comparative analyses of the generation and resolution of ethnic conflicts
PUBLICATIONS
"Ethnic Identities and Boundaries: Anthropological, Psychological and Sociological Approaches" in The International Studies Association Compendium. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Inc. Forthcoming.
"Zones of Peace." InThe International Encyclopedia of Peace. Edited by Nigel Young. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, forthcoming.
Zones of Peace: Local Conflict Mitigation and Peacebuilding in the Midst of Civil Violence. Co-editor (with Christopher R. Mitchell). Bloomfield, CT. Kumarian Press. 2007.
"Significant Events in the Northern Irish Peace Process: Impact and Implementation." In From Power Sharing to Democracy: Post Conflict Institutions in Politically Divided Societies. Ed. S. Noel. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press. 2005."Pushing for Peace and Stability: Some Comments on Colin Irwin's Polls." Forum: Northern Ireland in The Global Review of Ethnopolitics. Vol. 2, Nos. 3-4, pp. 83-84. 2003.
"To Act or to Wait: A Two Stage View of Ripeness." International Studies Perspectives. Vol. 2, No. 2 (May), pp. 195-205. 2001.
"The Indo-Sri Lankan Accord: An Analysis of Conflict Termination." Civil Wars. Vol. 2, No. 4 (Winter), pp. 83-105. 1999.
Soldier, Scientist, Diplomat, Mediator: The Multi-Disciplinary Context of Conflict Resolution. Co-editor (with others). Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Fairfax, VA. 1999.
"The Patterns of Ethnic Conflict." Ethnos-nation. Vol. 6, Nos. 1-2. 1998.
"Northern Ireland: Troubles Brewing." Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). Londonderry/Derry, Northern Ireland. UK. 1998. Available at: http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/landon.htm.
"The Pecos River Case: Sharing a Resource Among Old Rivals." In Braving the Currents: Evaluating Environmental Conflict Resolution in the American West. Eds. Tamra Pearson d'Estrée and Bonnie G. Colby. Norwell, MA: Kluwer, 2004 (with Annette Hanada).
"The Role of European Security Organizations in the Prevention of Violent Conflict and Post-conflict Peacebuilding: A Preview of OSCE and WEU Capabilities, Strengths, and Weaknesses." Peace Research Abstracts. Vol. 37, No. 5. 2000 (with Valery Perry and Allison Frendak).
"A Skeletal Solution to an Enigmatic Puzzle: A Framework for Intervening to Prevent Violent Ethno-identity Conflict." The CASID Connection. Vol. 16, No. 1 (Summer), pp. 38-58. 2000 (with Joshua N. Weiss and Valery Perry).
"The Conflict Within: The Interpersonal Conflict Between Arafat and Netanyahu." The On-line Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution. Issue 2:2. 1999 (with Joshua N. Weiss). Electronic publication at universal resource link http://www.trinstitute.org/ojpcr/2_2hanwei.htm.
BOOK REVIEWS
"Social Culture, Politics, and Nationalism in the Age of Globalization." Ed. R. Lukic and M. Brint. Nationalism & Ethnic Politics. 9:3, 2003.
"Social Conflicts and Collective Identities." Ed. P.G. Coy and L.M. Woehrle. Peace & Change. 28:4, 2003.
"Reconciliation, Justice and Coexistence." Ed. Mohammed Abu-Nimer. Peace and Conflict. 8:3, 2002.
"Identity in Northern Ireland." By Cathal McCall. The Ethnic Conflict Research Digest. 3:1, 2000.
"Identity and Affect." Eds. John R. Campbell and Alan Rew. The Ethnic Conflict Research Digest. 2:2, 1999.
"A Question of Identity." Ed. Anne J. Kershen. The Ethnic Conflict Research Digest. 2:2, 1999.
"Culture and Conflict Resolution." By Kevin Avruch. The Ethnic Conflict Research Digest. 2:2, 1999.
"Peacemaking in International Conflict: Methods and Techniques." Ed. I. William Zartman and Lewis Rasmussen. The Ethnic Conflict Research Digest. 2:1, 1999.