Peter T. Coleman | Lightnews

Peter T Coleman

@petertcoleman1.bsky.social

62 followers 26 following 92 posts

Columbia Prof, Dad, Psychologist, Dog-friend. Applying leading science and tech to advance peace, constructive conflict and social justice. Latest Book: The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization.

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Peter Thomas Coleman is a social psychologist and researcher in the field of conflict resolution and sustainable peace. Coleman is best known for his work on intractable conflicts and applying complexity science. .. more

Political science 24%

Sociology 21%

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Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · 25d

I have a solid rec. This book, organized around 43 songs, is a brilliant, moving exploration of the creative genius that emerged from the alchemy that was John & Paul's relationship. I read a chapter a day, then listened to the focal song, often hearing it anew. It was a tremendous ride.

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Oct 3

A gripping story about tradition, climate change, and murder in South Sudan. An excellent piece of investigative journalism.

aje.io/uv5bso

Death of a rainmaker: When drought means murder in South Sudan

For a group of people whose job means life, climate change can spell death.

aje.io

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Sep 27

Mourning in America.

pc84.medium.com/life-after-d...

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Sep 24

It is such a treat to work with this crazy talented group of colleagues from Columbia and Toyota Research Institute to build a useful app to leverage the findings from our research on optimal ratios of peace speech to conflict speech in the media. This is good tech.

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Sep 21

What are the consequences of omitting pieces of our past from the memory of our nation? A vital reflection for today.

www.nytimes.com/2001/04/28/o...

Opinion | War and Memory (Published 2001)

www.nytimes.com

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Sep 19

For all my colleagues trying to tone down the partisan divide in our country - here's a few evidence-based tips for bringing opposing groups together...

The Hidden Keys to Building Bridges in an Exhausted America | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-...

The Hidden Keys to Building Bridges in an Exhausted America

America’s divides won’t heal with one-size-fits-all appeals. Recent research reveals the hidden keys—hope, action, and fit—that truly mobilize people to build bridges.

www.psychologytoday.com

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Sep 6

Debunking the current myth that "woke" is wrong.

pc84.medium.com/in-defense-o...

In Defense of “Woke” Why Awakening to Injustice Is a Sacred American Tradition

Peter T. Coleman

pc84.medium.com

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Sep 4

Officially out in the MIT Negotiation Journal direct.mit.edu/ngtn/article...

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Aug 28

"To us, the solution is deceptively simple. Universities should create environments where students with different views must talk to one another routinely and establish ground rules that ensure they do so without distractions or prejudgment."
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/o...

Opinion | How We Brought Respectful Debate Back to The Harvard Crimson’s Editorial Board

www.nytimes.com

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Aug 27

Learn to lean into conflict.

Why Embracing Conflict Now Can Prevent Catastrophe Later greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item...

Why Embracing Conflict Now Can Prevent Catastrophe Later

It's tempting to avoid or suppress conflict in our relationships, workplaces, and society. But that often leads to bigger problems in the future.

greatergood.berkeley.edu

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Aug 27

Just in time for your next leadership crisis!
The science (Negotiation Journal) and practice (Greater Good Science) of navigating multi-front conflicts effectively.
greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item...
direct.mit.edu/ngtn/article...

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Aug 27

My latest installment on CIQ Leadership - how to respond to multi-front crises - is just out (Early Online) in MIT's Negotiation Journal. direct.mit.edu/ngtn/article...

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Aug 23

My son Adlai Coleman had his first story (on South Sudanese exiles from Sudan) published in the AP this week - and his photo was chosen as one of the top AP photos of the week. Full story: apnews.com/article/sout...

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Aug 21

Excited to see my article from the current Harvard Business Review on The Conflict-Intelligent Leader published in the German edition of Harvard Business Manager. Lernen und genießen!

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Aug 11

A high honor to join Sara Blanchard, William J. Doherty, Jennifer Freyd, Lilliana Mason, and Fathali M. Moghaddam on the Main Stage at the APA 2025 conference to discuss Burned Bridges and Broken Trust: Psychology’s Solutions for a Troubled Time.

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Aug 10

Here is a basic economics primer for us all - especially those buying into the Trump Tariff Tale. Ignore this at your peril.

x.com/FareedZakari...

Fareed Zakaria on X: "President Trump and the MAGA movement have manufactured an image of a struggling America, held back by globalization and free trade. The reality is that most Americans are doing far better than they were decades ago. My take: https://t.co/2UKIIYa9g0" / X

President Trump and the MAGA movement have manufactured an image of a struggling America, held back by globalization and free trade. The reality is that most Americans are doing far better than they were decades ago. My take: https://t.co/2UKIIYa9g0

x.com

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Aug 8

It was a genuine honor to be featured as a keynote speaker today - as part of a most prestigious group - to discuss toxic polarization in our country and how to find the way out. It was a packed house of highly attentive colleagues. Together we will find a way forward. @APA

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Aug 2

I am excited to be offering a Main Stage Keynote talk on escaping the trap of toxic polarization at the APA Conference in Denver next on August 8 - part of the session on Burned Bridges and Broken Trust. Colorado Convention Center, Four Seasons Ballroom 2-4. See you there!

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Aug 1

This video - WHICH I RECORDED 15 YEARS AGO - speaks to why the conflict in Israel-Gaza so readily became a source of deep division at Columbia and other universities today.

youtu.be/QN6YtawdPc8?...

A Conflict at Columbia University - The Five Percent problem

YouTube video by Peter Coleman

youtu.be

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Jul 26

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote: “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless yet be determined to make them otherwise.”

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Jul 23

What the World needs now...

Decency Is the Small Word That Holds a Big Country Together | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-...

Decency Is the Small Word That Holds a Big Country Together

Decency—America’s quiet strength—is fading. Yet small daily acts of respect could restore civility, ease divisions, and strengthen democracy. Here's how we can revive it.

www.psychologytoday.com

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Jul 23

What do we really know about peace?

pc84.medium.com/a-radical-ne...

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Jul 16

This HBR IdeaCast interview is an excellent complement to my current cover article on The Conflict-Intelligent Leader in the summer edition of Harvard Business Review. Check them out!

Podcast: hbr.org/podcast/2025....

Article: hbr.org/2025/07/the-...

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Jul 15

Just up!

HBR IdeaCast interview with me on Conflict Intelligent Leadership! hbr.org/podcast/2025...

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Jul 13

A high honor to get a shout out from my friend, the great poet Pádraig Ó Tuama, about my recent article on Conflict IQ Leadership!

Talk-about-talk open.substack.com/pub/poetryun...

Talk-about-talk

can sometimes help

open.substack.com

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Jul 11

A genuine honor to work with the Excellencies of the Global First Partners' Academy at the Ford Foundation this week. We discussed Conflict-Intelligent Leadership - and I learned a great deal!

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Jul 10

My 2 cents.

pc84.medium.com/columbia-bri...

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Jul 4

Do you have any advice for how people might answer the question what is the meaning of life?

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Jul 3

Got peace?

The U.S. ranks at the bottom globally in positive group interactions featured in the media, highlighting deep social fractures. Traditional peace indices miss such vital signs of peace: quality of relationships between social groups matters.

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-...

The Missing Peace?

Traditional peace indices overlook America's fragile social cohesion. New analysis shows that U.S. media portrays intergroup relations as overwhelmingly negative, signaling risks.

www.psychologytoday.com

Peter T Coleman @petertcoleman1.bsky.social · Jul 3

Broadway and 81st St in NYC at 9pm on a early July evening. It's how we roll.