Center for Conflict Management Participates in 2026 Annual OPCSN Conference on Civic Engagement and Peacebuilding

Pictured, from left: Drs. Peralta, Nofziger and Meluch; sociology students Andrew Magons and Anya Knox.

The Center for Conflict Management (CCM) at The University of Akron was proud to be represented at the 2026 Annual Ohio Peacebuilding, Conflict Studies, and Nonviolence (OPCSN) Conference, held on Friday, February 13, 2026, at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. The conference, themed "Strengthening Democracy through Civic Engagement & Peacebuilding," brought together educators, researchers, students, and community practitioners from across the state.

Dr. Robert L. Peralta, professor of sociology and director of the Center for Conflict Management, attended the conference alongside two CCM students, providing them a valuable opportunity to engage with colleagues, explore current research, and participate in workshops focused on the intersection of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and civic life.

The conference featured contributions from CCM's own faculty and affiliated members. Dr. Stacey Nofziger, professor and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Sociology in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences (BCAS), presented on "Connecting Town and Gown through Experiential Learning," highlighting how partnerships between universities and community organizations can produce meaningful outcomes for students and local stakeholders alike.

Dr. Andrea Meluch, a faculty advisory member of the CCM and associate professor in the School of Communication, presented on "Strategies for Effective Community-Engaged Teaching Examining Conflict in the Community," discussing a spring 2026 course that engages students in real-world environmental and social conflict research in partnership with the Akron Community Action Network.

The conference also featured the CCM's Dr. Jen Batton as a panelist and moderator. As a conflict management training instructor, Batton moderated the opening panel and led a session on constructive conversations and media literacy, equipping attendees with tools to navigate misinformation and foster productive civic dialogue.

The experience resonated deeply with the students in attendance. One CCM student reflected, “Events like OPCSN are what makes the Center for Conflict Management a worthwhile program. Being able to network outside of UA and apply what you’ve learned in your courses to concrete, real-world conflicts transforms it from a set of class requirements into an investment in yourself and your career. It was a great opportunity to hear from panelists how engaging in community conflict with a critical, resolutive lens creates productive change in both local and national scales.”

The Center for Conflict Management at the University of Akron offers undergraduate and graduate-level coursework, a short-term certificate program, and hands-on experiential learning opportunities in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. CCM prepares students to address complex social conflicts with evidence-based, constructive approaches in community, organizational, and policy settings.

For more information, contact:

Robert L. Peralta, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
Director⎟Center for Conflict Management
Office: 330-972-6915
Email: rp32@uakron.edu