Restorative Justice, Peacebuilding and Constructive Conflict Dialogue in Schools

Role: Principal Investigator

This SSHRC funded project (2019-2021) engages in consultation with elementary school teachers (Grades K-8) who are integrating restorative and peacebuilding practices in diverse classrooms in Toronto. The purpose of this research project is to study teaching strategies for conflict management and classroom dialogue in diverse classrooms and to develop understanding of school’s practices and beliefs on managing conflict. The study also intends to better understand how professional development (e.g., opportunities for collaborative/sharing discussions with colleagues, and/or participation in peacemaking circle training, or board mandated restorative justice training) influences teachers’ classroom practices. This study questions how selected teachers facilitate and engage students in peacemaking circles focused on social and interpersonal conflict and how students engage and respond to these processes.