Professor Sukhsimranjit Singh Presents Lecture on Stability in the Pandemic

On April 28, 2020, Professor Sukhsimranjit Singh presented a Zoom lecture, titled Stability in the Pandemic, hosted by the International Institute for Conflict Resolution and Prevention (CPR) in New York. Professor Singh was joined by his colleague, Professor Lela Love, Director of the Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo Law.

Professors Singh and Love discussed holistic methods to approach conflict while social distancing, and touched upon key mediation strategies and self-care techniques to create a positive and conflict-free living and work space.

Professor Singh shared strategies that facilitate active listening in an online environment and encouraged participants to focus on the common interest during the pandemic. Professor Love asked mediators to consider the BATNA, an acronym in ADR that refers to the best alternative to a negotiated agreement, and apply it to COVID-19, stressing that adaptability is key in these uncertain times.

Professor Singh also shared his experience teaching online over the past three years in Straus' online degree programs. He noted that people can connect successfully online, though the skill set requires time to practice and learn. He noted that for mediators, the lack of control online is a challenge, but one that can be mitigated by gaining fluency with technology, focusing on the opportunities presented by online meetings, and proceeding with a realistic set of expectations.

The program was well received by CPR and its member ADR professionals, and also included Straus alumni who participated in the lecture.