New Jersey State Policy Lab Logo

Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

The Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (CNCR) works in public domains to improve the process of decision-making in order to yield results that satisfy interests and meet public needs. CNCR also works to improve dispute resolution processes. We believe that solutions that work–and last–are more likely to be achieved by constructive negotiation, consensus-building and problem-solving than by force or adversarial argument.

Mission

Created in 1986, the Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution’s mission has included education, training, research and direct services in preventing and resolving disputes. We operate as a “think-tank” on a wide range of issues in negotiation and conflict resolution to stimulate and act as a catalyst for research and practical application in policy and planning domains. We work with groups within and outside the state that have a vital interest in improving the way disputes are managed, such as the judiciary, agencies of state government, bar associations and a range of not-for-profit entities such as economic development, planning and policy, advocacy and professional groups.

Areas of Expertise

Collaboration • Peacebuilding • Conflict Resolution • Arbitration • Public Decision-making and Conflict Management • Mediation

Co-Founders

Linda Stamato and Sanford M. Jaffe

Popular Topics

Center for Conflict Resolution and Negotiation holds presentation with NGO Capacity Building Program of Prime Minister’s Office, Republic of Korea
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

CNCR Meets with Republic of Korea NGO Leaders

The Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy welcomed guests from the Republic of Korea on November 17, 2022. Dr. Chang Soo Choe of the NGO Capacity Building Program in the Prime Minister’s Office led a delegation that met with several professors as well as […]
Aerial view of a large distribution warehouse loading dock with many trucks outside.
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Managing Warehouse Mania in New Jersey

Lulu and Nimby are always with us, as resistance to the siting of various land uses occurs, and, now, the latest focus is the proliferation of warehouses. They are popping up all over the landscape. In New Jersey, though, there is a bill pending in the State Senate to give a voice to those living […]
Mature woman discussing experiences with group. Females are listening during therapy session. They are sitting together in community center.
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Why Do Mediators Do What They Do?

What guides mediator decisionmaking? Kenneth Kressel and his colleagues used reflective research methods to explore this question in three studies, which he describes in “How Do Mediators Decide What to Do? Implicit Schemas of Practice and Mediator Decisionmaking” (Ohio State University Journal of Dispute Resolution, 2013, p. 709). The theme that threads through all three […]
little bully bullying older boy
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Conflict Resolution at School & on the Playground

Children find themselves in precarious situations that often lead to escalated conflict with their peers. Conflicts arise in the classroom, lunchroom, library, school bus, playground, while standing in line, and any place where kids gather. During adolescence into the developing stages of puberty, many children act out their emotions in the form of teasing, gossip, […]
United Nations Building
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements

Adopted in December 2018, and signed in August, 2019, with more than 45 signatories, including the U.S. and China, the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements resulting from Mediation, also known as the “Singapore Convention on Mediation” (the “Convention”) applies to international settlement agreements resulting from mediation. It establishes a legal framework to invoke […]
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Reflections on Negotiation

Two opening observations: First, why this subject, negotiation, for this gathering? Its importance for thinking about future career plans? Sure, that’s so, very specifically so, and seemingly obvious (salary, benefits, lab space, childcare options, career trajectories, support services….all these things matter, of course) but how do you go about securing what you want, how do those […]
woman holding hand out signaling stop
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Silencing Victims of Sexual Abuse Must End

This column argues that providing confidentiality in settlements that involve actions, products or services that jeopardize the well-being of individuals or that harm public safety or health should be banned. Read Article by Linda Stamato and Sanford M. Jaffe
US Supreme Court Building
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Mandatory Arbitration Clause in Nursing Home Dispute

In May 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a binding arbitration clause when it heard the case of Kindred Nursing Centers Limited Partnership v. Clark. In Kindred, Beverly Wellner and Janis Clark, the wife and daughter of Joe Wellner and Olive Clark, each held power of attorney for their respective family members. When Joe and […]
Arbitrator in meeting
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Conflict Resolution and Public Policy

The invitation to speculate on the impact of the conflict resolution movement is hard to resist, and, given recent developments in the area of public policy–about which more below–the timing couldn’t be better. Accordingly, this essay offers some examples to suggest how profound the impact has been in the public domain, in practice, particularly, but […]
A young girl sits on the ground during a celebration in Tambapmining, a village on the lower Ramu River in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea (2017)
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Conflict Resolution and “Restorative Justice”

The field of conflict resolution embraces a range of “restorative justice” practices, and, as interest grows, it is valuable to understand some of its roots and, particularly, the value placed on restorative practices in cooperative, small societies. National Academy Anthropologist Polly Weissner, a member of Rutgers’ CIG@R’s collaboration with Arizona State University, has published a […]
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

When Conflicts Occur Try Student Mediation

The recent outbreaks of violent conflict at Morristown High School raise a number of concerns and issues for the school community. Not the least among them is finding ways to deal effectively with the differences that lead to destructive behavior. A major barrier can often be the very limited set of responses we have to […]
Happy african business man, black male student wearing headphones elearning on laptop computer sitting at kitchen table working from home office, learning online, studying remote training course.
Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

CIT Training for Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution has been finding several solid ‘homes’ in the last several years. Here is one example provided by Rosalyn Metzger, a lawyer and mediator, who supports and participates in a program, CIT, that teaches police officers, hospital screeners, and others, advocates included, how to respond to members of the public who are in crisis. What […]
Resources