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Building Confidence in Conflict: Elizabeth Franz on Mediation Education

Eileen Brown — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 18:07:50 +0000

Building Confidence in Conflict: Elizabeth Franz on Mediation Education Eileen Brown Fri, 01/23/2026 - 11:07

Elizabeth Franz has been teaching PACS 4150: Mediation Skills since Fall 2024, bringing more than a decade of hands-on mediation experience into the classroom. A trained mediator, practitioner, and innovator, Elizabeth draws on her work across a wide range of alternative dispute resolution models to help students develop practical skills, reflective awareness, and confidence in real-world conflict settings.

In the interview below, Elizabeth shares more about her teaching approach, her professional journey, and her work as a 2025–26 Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) Faculty Fellow alongside PACS Director Michael English.

The CTL Faculty Fellows program brings together a cross-disciplinary cohort of educators to address pressing teaching and learning challenges through innovative, technology-enhanced approaches. Fellows participate in a fall seminar to explore emerging topics in pedagogy and collaboratively design an initiative implemented in spring, with a focus on learner-centered, inclusive, and evidence-based practices. Participants receive a $3,000 professional development award upon successful completion of the program.

As a CTL Faculty Fellow, what kinds of teaching or learning questions are you most interested in exploring through this work?

I am deeply interested in how the structure of a classroom can shift from modeling top-down, hierarchical authority to modeling true collaboration and democracy. Often, the traditional setup of an instructor at the front of the room inadvertently trains students to be compliant "worker bees" rather than active participants in their own learning. My primary question is: how can we create a learning environment that offers the "reps" and repetition needed to train a generation of cooperative members? This inquiry aligns perfectly with mediation, where participants are the experts in their own lives and no decision is made without their consent. I’m exploring how we can encourage students to turn toward one another to build relationships, practice collective problem-solving, and engage in the kind of democratic collaboration that feels counterintuitive in our hyper-competitive society.

Through the CTL Faculty Fellows program, you and Michael English are working on a shared teaching initiative. Can you give us a snapshot of what you’re proposing and what excites you most about it?

Michael and I are proposing that the learning experience can—and should—model collaborative games. Research shows that play is essential to how humans learn and retain information, so we are gamifying both the content and the course structure. We are exploring tools like Solarpunk Futures to help students creatively imagine better futures together and using "choose-your-own-adventure" style explorations of course material. Most excitingly, we’re piloting a "Cohort Health" system in my mediation class. Instead of the instructor being the sole arbiter of "what happens when things go wrong," the students use a "STAR" (Score Then Automatic Runoff) voting system to democratically decide how to handle challenges like late assignments or missed classes. It’s a reward-based system—not a punishment—that makes explicit the fact that for us to work together, we have to show up, follow through, and maintain an active feedback loop.

What drew you to teaching in PACS, and what keeps you excited about working with PACS students?

Initially, I was drawn to PACS by the opportunity to work with colleagues I deeply respect, like Michael English and Tyler Keyworth. Having a degree in Peace Studies myself, I know firsthand that this is the most useful skill set a person can possess, especially at this moment in our history. I love that our students are "plugged in" and genuinely care about the world. What keeps me excited is the ability to provide them with tangible, industry-standard skills. Students in my class don't just get credit; they earn a mediation training certificate. This makes them more competitive in the job market and ensures they leave �� as better neighbors and professionals who know how to navigate the challenging conversations that are inevitable whenever two or more people are in a room.

How do your professional experiences outside the classroom shape how you teach and engage students?

Being a professional mediator makes me a more needs-oriented and receptive instructor. I am practiced in collaboration and I’m not afraid of the "heat" of challenging conversations; instead, I see conflict as an opportunity to identify and meet human needs. My work as a practitioner keeps me humble and reminds me to honor the trust students put in us to set them up for a future they want to live. As a Colorado local, it is also deeply rewarding to "pay it forward" to my own community. Whether my students become professional mediators or go into entirely different fields, I am using my professional experience to ensure they leave with better communication, relationship-building, and collective decision-making skills.

What’s one thing you hope students carry with them long after your course ends?

Above all, I hope they carry the value of listening to understand, rather than just listening to respond. I want them to leave with the ability to hear and express their own feelings and values clearly, which is the foundation of finding "win-win" solutions. I also hope they practice accepting fellow humans as they are, and meeting them where they are. For those who do choose to enter the field of mediation, I hope they see the certificate they earn as a doorway into a lifelong craft—one that has sustained me for 14 years and continues to be vital for a healthy society.

What is one fun fact about yourself that might surprise students?

Students might be surprised to learn that I can knit a hat in just one hour! I’m also a local who grew up right around the �� campus, though these days I make the hour-long commute from Littleton, where I live with my partner of 25 years. When I’m not mediating or teaching, you can usually find me playing the ukulele, salsa dancing, playing board games or out at the bowling alley.

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Info Session: Georgetown University School of Foreign Service - 10/9 @12pm

Eileen Brown — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 20:09:09 +0000

Info Session: Georgetown University School of Foreign Service - 10/9 @12pm Eileen Brown Fri, 10/03/2025 - 14:09

[�� Events Calendar] Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service (SFS) — the oldest school of international affairs/relations in the United States — prepares students to lead in national security, government, human development, business, and technology. Attend the info session on Thursday, October 9th at 12pm to learn more!

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Panel - Afghan Women Reflections on War and Peacebuilding - 9/25 @5pm

Eileen Brown — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:51:56 +0000

Panel - Afghan Women Reflections on War and Peacebuilding - 9/25 @5pm Eileen Brown Fri, 09/12/2025 - 09:51

Afghan Women Reflections on War and Peacebuilding from U.S. Occupation to Taliban Return

Join ��’s Peace, Conflict and Security Program and the Department of Geography for an informative panel discussion with Afghan women on their experiences.

Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Time: Doors open at 4:30pm, Panel discussion goes from 5pm to 7pm.
Location: CASE Chancellor’s Auditorium (4th Floor)

Panelists will share stories about their life and work, particularly in the areas of women’s education, international development, politics, and efforts at peacebuilding. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Jennifer Fluri.

This event is part of the Boulder Builds Peace Initiative organized in partnership with the Boulder Rotary Club Peace Building Action Group. There are lots of other events happening throughout September! Check out the specific events and ways to get involved on the Boulder Peace Zone.

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Meet Alexandra Bell: Nuclear Policy Expert and CEO of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Eileen Brown — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:21:47 +0000

Meet Alexandra Bell: Nuclear Policy Expert and CEO of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Eileen Brown Tue, 09/02/2025 - 15:21

[IAFS] The International Affairs (IAFS) and the Peace, Conflict and Security (PACS) Programs invite students to a fireside chat with Alexandra Bell, president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. This informal discussion offers the opportunity to meet Alexandra, hear about her career path, and learn more about the Bulletin’s work on nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies.

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Michael English - A&S Magazine - Protesters taking freedom of assembly to the streets

Eileen Brown — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 17:21:10 +0000

Michael English - A&S Magazine - Protesters taking freedom of assembly to the streets Eileen Brown Fri, 06/13/2025 - 11:21

[A&S Magazine] PACS Director and �� Boulder conflict scholar Michael English explains why public protests matter and what they can mean in the current political and social moment.

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Boulder Peace Week - September 15-26 - PACS Events

Eileen Brown — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 18:00:40 +0000

Boulder Peace Week - September 15-26 - PACS Events Eileen Brown Thu, 09/05/2024 - 12:00

PACS is excited to host two Boulder Peace Week events on September 26th, 2024, co-sponsored by Boulder Rotary Club and �� Boulder's International Affairs Program (IAFS).

Careers in Peacebuilding

Panel Discussion

September 26 - 3:15 to 4:15pm

CASE West Chancellor’s Auditorium

Join us for an engaging panel discussion to learn more about careers and experiences in the field of peacebuilding from experts including Dr. James Adams (post-conflict peacebuilding), Pamela Civins (Peace Corps), Brigadier General Traci Kueker-Murphy (women, peace, and security) and Ambassador Todd Campman (Former U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and Ecuador).

Resolving Highly Polarized Conflicts

Keynote - Professor Richard E. Rubenstein

September 26 - 4:30 to 5:45pm

CASE West Chancellor’s Auditorium

Join University Professor Emeritus at George Mason University Richard Rubenstein as he discusses the challenges and possibilities of addressing some of today’s most difficult conflicts. Professor Rubenstein is a former Director of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. He is the author of ten books on understanding and resolving social conflicts, including Resolving Structural Conflicts: How Violent Systems Can Be Transformed (2017). His books on religion and conflict include When Jesus Became God (2000), Aristotle’s Children (2004), and Thus Saith the Lord: The Revolutionary Moral Vision of Isaiah and Jeremiah (2006). His study of justifications for war in the United States is Reasons to Kill: Why Americans Choose War (2010). Richard was educated at Harvard College, Oxford University, and Harvard Law School, and holds an honorary Litt.D. degree from the University of Malta. He lives on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Dr. Susan Ryerson, and is active in work for peace and social justice.

�� Boulder Peace Week

In recognition of the United Nations International Day of Peace, Boulder Rotary Club and PACS have collaborated on two events for the 2024 Boulder Peace Week (September 15-26). This year's theme is Boulder Builds Peace with the goal of involving and highlighting diverse Boulder-connected organizations and individuals who focus on international and local peacebuilding. Events during the week will include keynote speakers, discussion panels, a workshop, music and arts, a kids’ passport to peace scavenger hunt, and a Peace Faire (see flyer) with many peace minded organizations participating. This will be a collective public/civic engagement to contribute to an informed constructive discourse about peace and conflict in these difficult times. All events are free and open to the public.

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The Vow from Hiroshima (Film Screening)

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:53:57 +0000

The Vow from Hiroshima (Film Screening) Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/11/2024 - 07:53

The Joanna Macy Center for Resilience and Regeneration is hosting film screening of "The Vow From Hiroshima." This film tells the powerful story of Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, and her journey towards advocating for a Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty. Naropa University will be hosting the film screening and a Q&A with the writer and producer Mitchie Takeuchi following the film. This version of the film is set to be released on PBS across the nation and this screening is a world premiere in this format. This event is co-sponsored by the Peace, Conflict, and Security Program at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Event Details:
   •   Film: The Vow From Hiroshima
   •   Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
   •   Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm MT
   •   Location: Naropa University Performing Arts Center
   •   RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earth-justice-day-film-screening-the-vow-from-hiroshima-tickets-869464871837?aff=oddtdtcreator

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National Security Panel Discussion

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 17:23:19 +0000

National Security Panel Discussion Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/04/2024 - 11:23

The PACS Program is hosting a small team of fellows and faculty from the US Army War College Eisenhower Program to discuss national security related topics. Students interested in careers in national security or who are just curious about these topics are encouraged to attend. PACS students are especially encouraged to attend because this panel will heavily relate to PACS material that is taught in courses! The panel will be held on April 17th from 12pm to 1:45pm in CASE E422. More information on the panel can be found on the �� Events Calendar. See you there!

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Center for Leadership Opportunities & Events

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 17:15:55 +0000

Center for Leadership Opportunities & Events Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/04/2024 - 11:15

The �� Boulder Center for Leadership, a partner of PACS, is hosting upcoming events and has opportunities for students to get involved!

Upcoming events that are part of the Conference of World Affairs (CWA) that are being sponsored by the Center include:

Leadership for a Sustainable Future: A panel that discusses questions related to the complex challenges and solutions in ensuring both people and our planet thrive.
- Wednesday, April 10th from 3pm to 4:10pm in Macky Hall
Mobilizing Youth: Encouraging Democracy and Election Turnout: A panel that discusses the importance of mobilizing youth to vote in elections.
- Wednesday, April 10th from 4:30pm to 6pm in the Center UMC Ballroom

Find more information on the CWA schedule.

The Leading Edge Council is a student-driven group that connects all of the Center programs. The council aims to create an interconnected, inclusive community and help shape student leaders. They host meetings on Tuesdays in ENVD 122 from 2pm to 3pm. If you're interested in joining, please email centerforleadership@colorado.edu. Visit the Leading Edge Council website for more information.

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Studio Lab- Application Deadline 4/5

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 17:45:21 +0000

Studio Lab- Application Deadline 4/5 Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/01/2024 - 11:45

The Studio Undergraduate Research Lab is currently accepting applications! Studio Lab is an excellent experiential learning opportunity for undergraduate students at �� interested in conducting research. Students will be matched with projects from faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences and are paid to work on these projects for about 5 hours a week. Deadlines for the 2024-25 academic year are dueApril 4th. Visit theStudio Lab webpage for more information!

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news

Building Confidence in Conflict: Elizabeth Franz on Mediation Education

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Info Session: Georgetown University School of Foreign Service - 10/9 @12pm

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Panel - Afghan Women Reflections on War and Peacebuilding - 9/25 @5pm

Afghan Women Reflections on War and Peacebuilding from U.S. Occupation to Taliban Return

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Meet Alexandra Bell: Nuclear Policy Expert and CEO of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

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Michael English - A&S Magazine - Protesters taking freedom of assembly to the streets

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Boulder Peace Week - September 15-26 - PACS Events

Careers in Peacebuilding

Resolving Highly Polarized Conflicts

���������� Boulder Peace Week

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The Vow from Hiroshima (Film Screening)

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National Security Panel Discussion

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Center for Leadership Opportunities & Events

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Studio Lab- Application Deadline 4/5

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�� Boulder Peace Week