Novelist and poet Arthur Koestler wrote about three experiences he hopes to impart on people, experiences that Neil Katz, Ph.D., professor and chairperson of the Graduate Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, also tries to produce every time he steps foot into a classroom or training event.
Katz said, “The first is a ‘ha ha’ experience because education should be enjoyable. The second is an ‘ah ha’ experience because education should provide many insights that allow people to gain wisdom. The third is an ‘ah’ experience because education should provide inspiration, prompting the student to want to continue to refine their knowledge and skills.”
Katz came to NSU two and a half years ago to help continue what he started in the field of conflict analysis at Syracuse University where he still has an emeritus appointment and a position in training in executive programs. He liked that NSU had a robust curriculum in the conflict analysis field and an appreciation for the practice elements of the curriculum.
“To be effective, you have to draw linkages between both theory and practice. What drew me to NSU is their appreciation for the practice as well as theory and I’m really dedicated to building bridges between the two,” he said.
Katz said he is part practitioner and part scholar. Therefore, Katz’s goal for NSU is to create more appreciation and support for apprenticeships in the field.
The passion Katz has for conflict analysis is what drove him to help pioneer the field in the late 1960s. During his dissertation on anti-war groups specializing in non-violent struggle, Katz became interested in conflict resolution. At that time, there was only conflict resolution in the area of labor management negotiations, not interpersonal or organizational negotiations.
He then started a program at Syracuse University in 1972 for non-violent conflict and change, specializing in social movement teaching and research.
“Now, it’s a very hot field,” said Katz. “Conflict resolution has become much more legitimate. I do a lot of training with groups such as major corporations, government and the Air Force and the Navy and that would not have been done before 1990.”
Before it was a vibrant field, people who were involved in peace movement activities or peace research were sometimes called communists. Katz said it wasn’t seen as a legitimate field at that time.
“It was always seen as fringe material that only very naïve and idealistic people would be involved with. Ironically, now some people are worried that it’s too main-stream, but I don’t think that. It’s material that everyone can benefit from. I love that my clients are a variety of corporate, government, educational and community groups,” he said.
Katz also has a consulting firm, Dr. Neil Katz and Associates, which means he wears a variety of hats.
“It’s challenging, but exciting. I believe you have to continually test theory in the practice environment. In the consulting and training world, your theories, knowledge and skill level are being tested every minute. In some ways, it is more of a true test of your ability and the utility of this material than traditional teaching and scholarship,” he said.
What Katz enjoys most about his work is that he can bring it home with him because many of the principles and skills learned can be used in a variety of challenges in everyday life. As a testament to his success in this, he was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Award from the Syracuse community for his career long commitment to nonviolent conflict resolution and the principles embodied in Dr. King’s life and work.
“I try to embody the principles and techniques of both nonviolence and constructive conflict resolution in my personal relationships as well as my business relationships. The material we teach in conflict resolution and negotiations can be used many times every day of one’s life,” Katz said.
