Dr Melanie Garson

Postgraduate Teaching Assistant

Dept of Political Science

Faculty of S&HS

Joined UCL: 1st Jan 2011

Research summary

Melanie’s research focuses on the role of reconciliation in stabilising peace agreements and the reversal of conflict psychologies in protracted identity conflicts. She is particularly interested in the social-psychological dimensions of conflict and their role in effective negotiation and mediation of international agreement. Melanie's more recent research considers the role of new and emerging technologies within international conflict and its resolution.

Her research primarily focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Israeli-Arab conflicts, Bosnia and Northern Ireland. She also undertakes research examining social trust and cohesion in divided societies, as well as processes of radicalisation and de-radicalisation, and soft approaches to counter-terrorism. Melanie has a special interest in innovative methods of teaching and is currently working on developing an imaginary scenario simulation to help teach about ethnic conflict and its management.

Teaching summary

Melanie's teaching spans a range of courses relating to international conflict resolution and international security.

This has included, Conflict resolution and Post-War Development (PUBLG082), International Security (POLS 0019A/B), Governing Divided Societies (PUBLG065), Theories of International Relations (POLS001A/B), and International Peace and Security (PUBLG0041).

In 2019/2020 Melanie will be launching and teaching two new courses:

PUBL0088 International Negotiation

PUBL0087 From Cyberwarfare to Robots: The Future of Conflict in the Digital Age

She will also be teaching:

PUBL0082: International Conflict Resolution and Post-War Development

PUBL0065: Governing Divided Societies

Education

University College London: Other Postgraduate qualification (including professional), ATQ03 - Recognised by the HEA as a Fellow | 2018
University College London: Doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy | 2017
: Other higher degree, Solictor | 2005
: Other Postgraduate qualification (including professional), Postgraduate Diploma | 2004
Tufts university, Boston, University: Other higher degree, Master of Arts | 2000
University of Cambridge: First Degree, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) | 1996

Biography

Melanie has been teaching on international conflict resolution and international security at UCL for the last seven years. She is an accredited mediator and prior to joining UCL has worked as a solicitor in the Dispute Resolution department of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where she was a member of the Commercial Disputes Group with experience in Public International Law, International Arbitration, and International Corporate Investigations, as well as teaching mediation and negotiation techniques. She has also worked as Director of Development and New Programmes for the Centre for Jewish Arab Economic Development (Israel), Director of Communications for Peaceworks LLC (New York), as well as for the People-to-People department of the Economic Cooperation Foundation (Israel), and the Education Programmes Department for the United Nations Association of the USA (New York.)

Melanie continues to work as an independent mediator and dialogue consultant for international and domestic civil and commercial disputes.

Melanie received her PhD from UCL and holds a Masters in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (Medford, MA), specialising in conflict resolution and negotiation. She holds a BA (Hons.) in Oriental Studies from Girton College, Cambridge. She also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Law and is a solicitor under the Law Society of England and Wales.

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