The Transformation and Reconciliation Lab (TRL; nick-named for the late 90s/early 2000s cultural landmark MTV's Total Request Live) is a student-led research lab that documents and disseminates key findings in reconciliation practice and provides accompaniment research to practitioners worldwide. TRL is producing new knowledge surrounding healing-centered reconciliation methodologies, expert- and program-driven reconciliation processes, and the role of 'insider-reconcilers' in transforming conflict. TRL is currently developing models for accompaniment research and other support mechanisms to strengthen collaborative efforts toward reconciliation within the context of the U.S. and across the globe. Currently, Carter School doctoral student Leo Hylton manages TRL.

If you're interested in joining our team of researchers or collaborating on one of our studies, please contact MHCR Associate Director, Rowda Olad, at rolad@gmu.edu.

TRL TEAM MEMBERS

  • Leo Hylton (he/him), Lab Manager. Leo leads all of TRL’s research projects and co-conceptualized the Healing-Centered Peacebuilding and Reconciliation (HCPR) research project with research partner and MHCR Impact Manager Deborah Sachare. Leo currently leads HCPR research design development to explore the impact of intrapersonal (inner) healing on the cohesion and efficacy of reconciliation processes. He also supports the development of publications and presents at research conferences. Leo brings a social justice lens to this transdisciplinary healing-centered work.

  • Ava Parker (she/her), Healing-Centered Research Assistant. Ava is building out annotated bibliographies as a foundational element of forthcoming scholarly publications and preparation for the HCPR research design which will explore the impact of intrapersonal (inner) healing on the cohesion and efficacy of reconciliation processes. Ava brings a community health lens to this transdisciplinary healing-centered work.

  • Brooks Munns (he/him), Insider-Reconciler Research Assistant. Brooks is building out annotated bibliographies as a foundational element of forthcoming scholarly publications and preparation for the HCPR research design which will explore the impact of intrapersonal (inner) healing on the cohesion and efficacy of reconciliation processes. He will also support secondary data analysis from Phase I of the InRec study for elements of HCPR. Brooks brings a community health lens to this transdisciplinary healing-centered work.

  • Kenzie Zander (she/her), Healing-Centered Research Assistant. Kenzie is building out annotated bibliographies as a foundational element of forthcoming scholarly publications and preparation for the HCPR research design which will explore the impact of intrapersonal (inner) healing on the cohesion and efficacy of reconciliation processes. Kenzie brings a psychological lens to this transdisciplinary healing-centered work.

  • Dr. Nick Sherwood (he/him), MHPSS Technical Advisor. Dr. Sherwood created and currently leads MHCR’s Insider-Reconcilers (InRec) research study. He is writing a scholarly book focusing on resilience-building within peacebuilders operating in active conflict zones based on data gathered from Phase I of this project. He also advises the development of the HCPR research design and supports ongoing publications and presentations on MHCR’s research. Dr. Sherwood is an expert in peace psychology, mental health and psychosocial support for peacebuilding practitioners, and qualitative/participatory methods.

  • Avery Butler (he/him), Research and Administrative Officer. Avery supports MHCR’s Insider Reconciliation Summit and Phase II of the Insider-Reconcilers Study under the mentorship of Dr. Sherwood. He actively participates in facilitations and research on insider-reconcilers and trauma healing. Avery brings a community justice lens to this transdisciplinary healing-centered work.

  • Deborah Sachare (she/her), Impact Manager. Deborah co-conceptualized the HCPR project with research partner and MHCR Lab Manager, Leo Hylton. She translates TRL’s research findings into practical, actionable insights that are used by MHCR’s programs and ongoing grant-based projects. Deborah is also supporting the development of publications and presenting at research conferences.

  • Rowda Olad, Associate Director. Rowda brings a wealth of expertise in mental health/psychosocial support (MHPSS) from her work in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. She is informing the integration of MHPSS into reconciliation research and practice while developing a line of research focused in this area. Rowda also supports the development of publications and presents at research conferences.

CURRENT PROJECTS

  • Healing-Centered Peacebuilding and Reconciliation: Exploring the Correlation between Intrapersonal Healing and Process Cohesion

How does a peacebuilding or reconciliation practitioner's intrapersonal healing journey impact their ability to facilitate and shape peacebuilding or reconciliation processes? Does a more robust intrapersonal healing journey correlate to a more cohesive, effective peacebuilding or reconciliation process? Conversely, does a weaker, more fragile, or nascent healing journey correlate to a more incohesive or ineffective peacebuilding or reconciliation process?

The aim of this study is to explore the correlative relationship between practitioner healing/wellbeing and process cohesion, in hopes of creating an empirical foundation to garner material support for insider-reconcilers and other local peacebuilders and reconciliation practitioners.

    • Insider-Reconcilers: A Qualitative Exploration of Local Practitioners Engaged in Reconciliation Processes

Insider-reconcilers (InRec) support reconciliation processes in conflict contexts and are also deeply connected to or involved in one or more parties to the conflict. InRec are key players in peacebuilding processes and are often seen as trustworthy, efficient, and transformative facilitators. This study seeks to understand InRec’s (1) understanding of reconciliation after violence has occurred, (2) their practical involvement in reconciliation processes, and (3) the impact of reconciliation work on practitioners’ wellbeing. MHCR has completed Phase I of this study (involving interviews with 42 insider-reconcilers across global regions) and is developing Phase II, which will begin in 2025.

    • Bridging Divides in Social Movement: A Comparative Analysis of Two LGBTQ-Justice Movements in the US

In partnership with Professor Karina Korostelina and Carter School PhD student and RCID Lab Manager Mike Sweigart, MHCR and RCID researchers have been contracted by GMU’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth and Business for a Better World Center to contribute to the United Nations’ university consortium of sustainable development goals research. This research project will focus on experiences of social divisions, and repairing these divides, within queer and trans activists in Washington, DC, and Athens, GA.

PAST PROJECTS

  • The Impact of COVID-19 on Religious Leaders and Their Communities

What have been the sources of strength (i.e., resilience) of religious leaders and their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, once their social religious practices and coping mechanisms were disrupted? And, what lessons can be learned from the innovative responses of religious organizations to the pandemic? This study interviews religious leaders around the world, utilizing a comparative case-study approach to answer these questions.

    • Reconciliation Theories of Change: A Mixed-Methods Exploration & Recommendations for Peacebuilding Institutions

How can the maximum impact of change be realized in peacebuilding through reconciliation processes that are inclusive and transformative? The aim of this study is to consider the theories of change, methods of evaluation, results, and impacts of reconciliatory peacebuilding in order to begin answering this question.

This project’s funder, the United States Institute of Peace, produced a final report drawing on our findings: Support Structures for Sustained Reconciliation.

    • Approximating Expert Knowledge: Reconciliation Experts Delphi Method Study

What are the strengths, weaknesses, and risks of various approaches to reconciliation? And, if there is significant disagreement on this question, what is the content of these disagreements? This study utilizes the Delphi method (i.e., multiple rounds of surveys to a panel of reconciliation experts) to answer these questions.

List of Supporters to the TRL

TRL staff wishes to thank the following individuals and organizations for their generous support of our research:

  • Mary Hoch Foundation

  • The Hoch Family

  • Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

  • United States Institute of Peace

  • Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  • Helsinki Deaconess Foundation

  • Center for Well-Being and Resilience

  • Transforming the Mind for Peace Laboratory

  • George Mason University

  • Unnamed Private Donors

The TRL relies on the generosity of donations to fund our research, if you would like to donate to the TRL cause, you can use the link below: