Authors

Raymond Aycock is currently a Master’s candidate at the Monterey Institute of International Studies focusing on the study of conflict resolution, and is particularly interested in movements, great and small, that resist the dominant discourse regarding development and modernity.

Glenn Curtis retired in 2009 after 28 years as a research analyst with the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. He has an MA in Environmental and Resource Policy from George Washington University and a PhD from Indiana University in Russian Literature. He is the editor of eight volumes in the Library of Congress Country Studies series, including studies of Russia, Poland, Iran, and Greece.

Denise DeGarmo is a professor of international relations at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She was recently a faculty fellow of the Palestinian American Research Center, an affiliate of the Council of American Overseas Research Centers.

Michelle Glasser graduated from MIIS in 2009 with a concentration in Conflict Resolution. As a student, she developed a training tool for Mercy Corps Colombia to provide alternatives to violence for youth at risk. She is now focusing on community based violence reduction initiatives.

Rebecca Halton is a freelance writer, speaker, and 2011 graduate of the Monterey Institute of International Studies (International Policy — Conflict Resolution). She worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in a variety of communications roles, most recently as the Deputy Press Secretary for the PA Department of State.

Michael Houseman is an MA candidate at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, where he concentrates on human security and development. He focuses on gender equality and human rights in Eastern Europe and the South Pacific.

Pushpa Iyer is the Director of the Centre for Conflict Studies. She specializes in identity conflicts, non-state armed groups, civil wars, peace processes and peacebuilding in post-war societies. She is currently a faculty member at the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Rona Kabiri received her MA in International Policy Studies with a concentration in Security and Development from Monterey Institute of International Studies. She was born in Afghanistan and lived there during the reign of the Taliban. She moved to the US for her graduate studies in 2009.

Kyrstie Lane is Managing Editor of Reflections. She received her BA in International Affairs and French from the University of Puget Sound and is currently a graduate student at Monterey Institute of International Studies, pursuing her MA in International Policy and Conflict Resolution.

Penny Marquez is currently a student at Monterey Institute of International Studies, working towards her Master’s in International Policy with a concentration in Conflict Resolution. Her focus areas are identity based conflicts and conflicts across cultures.

P.K. McCary is a professional storyteller and journalist with over 30 years experience in anti-violence programming for youth. She is co-founder of Think Peace International, a multimedia educational organization made up of artists, educators, and activists working for change through stories.

Emily McLaughlin is Associate Editor of Reflections. She graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in Political Science. She is currently a student at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, working towards an MA in International Policy Studies as well as an MBA.

Sardor Abdullaev Mukhudinovich from Uzbekistan, is a Ph.D. Candidate in Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies at Universitat Jaume I in Spain. His main interests include peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and development studies.

Marina Savinovich was born in Dubrovnik, Croatia. She came to the US 11 years ago to attend college and is an alumna of San Jose State University. She is currently a successful business owner as well as a graduate student at MIIS, studying conflict resolution.

Anita Seth is Executive Director of IF (www.integrities.org), a Santa Cruz, CA nonprofit educational and social change organization whose mission is to foster hopeful alternatives for the local and global community. Anita has approached social transformation from a spiritual perspective for 30 years, and is a Reiki Master Teacher.

Natalie Singer is the Research Editor for Reflections. She recently graduated from the Monterey Institute of International Studies with a Masters in International Policy Studies and Conflict Resolution. She currently lives in Monterey and works as a volunteer mediator for the Superior Court of Monterey County.

Lynn Slaughter-Naves is a graduate student of International Policy Studies with a concentration in Human Security and International Development at the Monterey Institute. She served 5 years in the U.S. Air Force as a Russian Cryptologic Linguist. Her areas of research focus on women’s security programs in conflict areas as well as Middle Eastern studies.

Sasha Sleiman is pursuing her Master’s Degree in International Policy Studies with a concentration in Human Security and Development at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Her specific interests lie in conflict resolution and gender issues. She graduated from Western Washington University in 2009 with a B.A. in Comparative Politics.

Carrie Stiles is a peace activist and scholar from Oregon. She has traveled, studied, and worked in over thirty countries on five continents. Her most recent research was in the Himalayas, exploring the conservation practices of Garhwali farmers working with the NGO Navdanya. Carrie aspires to raise awareness about how small actions lead to large-scale social transformation.

Caitlin Turner is a graduate student at the School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, where she studies the role of social media in collective action and conflict escalation.

Quinn Van Valer-Campbell will graduate from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in December 2011 with her M.A. in International Policy Studies and a concentration in Conflict Resolution. Her interests include religion and conflict and the former Yugoslavia.

Christine Williams graduated in 2010 from the Monterey Institute of International Studies specializing in Conflict Resolution. She currently works for Delight Me, a mobile application company devoted to health and well-being. She is particularly interested in the potential for women in peacebuilding and (smart) strategies for economic development.

Jasmine Wolf is an MA candidate at Monterey Institute of International Studies, focusing on cross-cultural cooperation and gender rights. She is an advocate for American Indians regarding gender equality, sovereignty, cultural appropriation, and repatriation. Jasmine also is a counselor for foster children and has an extensive background working with gang youth.