New Leadership for Middlebury's Conflict Transformation Initiative, Meet Netta Avineri

Middlebury's Conflict Transformation Initiative enters a new chapter with Professor Netta Avineri as executive director. Building on a foundation laid by Professor Sarah Stroup, Dr. Avineri brings expertise in linguistic anthropology and intercultural competence to guide the initiative’s next phase. The program emphasizes viewing conflict as an opportunity for growth, integrating experiential learning, cultural analysis, and global partnerships. With a strong infrastructure already in place, the initiative aims to deepen its impact across Middlebury and beyond. Read more in the blog post below.

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Professor Netta Avineri works with a graduate student at the Middlebury Institute campus in Monterey. Courtesy of: https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/news/conversation-netta-avineri-new-executive-director-middleburys-conflict-transformation

Professor Netta Avineri is stepping into a pivotal role as the new executive director of the Kathryn Wasserman Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation at Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Taking over from Professor Sarah Stroup, Dr. Avineri brings a unique background in applied linguistic anthropology and over a decade of experience leading intercultural competence initiatives at the Institute.

The $25 million initiative, now at its midpoint, aims to integrate conflict transformation knowledge and skills throughout Middlebury's educational programs. What sets this approach apart is its reframing of conflict as potentially constructive rather than inherently negative—asking how conflict can serve as "a window" for creating positive change.

Dr. Avineri's personal journey from a multilingual, multicultural immigrant household to academia has shaped her understanding of how language, culture, and conflict intersect. Her work emphasizes that conflict transformation isn't about quick fixes but requires deep analysis, cultural competence, and relationship building across multiple levels—from personal to global.

The initiative has already created substantial infrastructure including coursework, experiential learning programs, faculty training, and an interdisciplinary fellowship program supporting approximately 50 fellows annually. Students engage through hands-on experiences working with restorative justice practitioners, peacebuilders in Rwanda, and community organizations locally in Monterey.

One of the program's strengths lies in its emphasis on experiential learning combined with critical reflection. As Dr. Avineri notes, the most meaningful moments come when "people come with an open heart and an open mind," allowing for unexpected connections and new forms of knowledge sharing.

Looking ahead, the collaborative plans to expand its impact through strategic partnerships with other universities and community organizations globally, while continuing to weave conflict transformation approaches into the broader Middlebury educational experience.
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Want to learn more about this innovative approach to conflict transformation and Dr. Avineri's vision for the future? Read the full interview with detailed examples of student projects and faculty integration strategies.

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Read the complete article here: https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/news/conversation-netta-avineri-new-executive-director-middleburys-conflict-transformation