Media and Resources

What is Conflict Transformation (CT)?

Conflict is part of the human experience. While conflict can be terribly destructive to our relationships and communities, constructive conflict can enrich our relationships and strengthen our social and political systems. 

The field of conflict transformation (CT) explores how destructive conflicts can change and become relatively constructive. The transformations that emerge might happen at the personal level (a change of heart), the structural level (a change in power), or somewhere in between. At Middlebury, the CT Collaborative seeks to expand the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that can foster more constructive conflict. 

Our CT Approach 

• An Overview: Middlebury’s approach to conflict transformation is organized around specific forms of knowledge, skills, and dispositions that can foster constructive conflict. The many programs that do this work share three core learning goals. Read more in our one-page overview.
• Partner Voices: our podcast, Opening Up, features students, experts, community partners, and faculty and staff who inspire and lead in this work.
• CT in the Classroom: Middlebury users can see syllabi, exercises, and readings by “enrolling” in our Canvas site, Conflict Transformation Curriculum. 
• Events: we work across the Middlebury institution, from Ripton to Middlebury to Monterey and around the globe. Many of our events are listed here. 
• CT Short Reading List: if you are new to conflict transformation, this two page reading list offers ways to get an overview and better understand specific skills. 
• CT Abroad Toolkit: students, staff, and faculty created a Toolkit for integrating conflict transformation into study abroad opportunities.