From the funder's perspective

Abstract

This special issue of Conflict Resolution Quarterly devoted to a survey of the field and applied conflict resolution research is especially welcome and timely. There is an increasing call from many quarters for knowledge about the appropriate applications and demonstrable outcomes of conflict resolution–related practices. At the same time, “industry-like” forces in the field tend to focus our attention more narrowly on specialization within the field. In response, the authors of this issue provide an important compilation of field research and evaluation literature across a broad sweep of the conflict resolution landscape. This is a very useful piece of work. The similar format of each review article encourages the comparison of findings across sectors. The commentaries help to place the knowledge gained in a more dynamic framework that is particularly useful as the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation makes its exit from a nearly two-decades-long role as a field builder and supporter. The foundation hopes that the collective work presented here will aid practitioners, field-related organizations, researchers, users of these processes, foundations, and others to better understand what we know about the utility, quality, and impacts of conflict resolution practice, as well as provide a base on which further knowledge-building efforts can be considered and pursued. The review articles are impressive for several reasons, not the least of which is the sheer volume and breadth of material covered. There are rich sources of information across all of the reviewed topic areas, not only about techniques, processes, and satisfaction-related indicators of success but about substantive design and impact studies that support the claim that the conflict resolution field has added considerable and measurable value to our society’s ability to address disputes and controversies successfully. There may indeed be fewer studies that adequately document the systemic impacts of conflict resolution programs and processes, as suggested by