Solon J Simmons

Dr. Solon Simmons is an Associate Professor of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University with a Ph.D. in sociology and the author of the recent book, Root Narrative Theory and Conflict Resolution; Power, Justice and Values, which provides researchers and practitioners a tool grounded in cutting edge approaches to narrative and conflict. Root Narrative Theory is useful for capturing the moral and intellectual bases of radical disagreement, fostering a sense of radical curiosity, and helping parties to pursue deeper mutual understandings.

He is also the author of The Eclipse of Equality: Arguing America on Meet the Press (Stanford University Press, 2013) and Professors and their Politics with Neil Gross (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014). His current work on peace and conflict resolution combines Weberian institutional theory, with critical social philosophy, bringing in insights from semiotics and narrative analysis with the goal of developing a deeper understanding of the ideas and ideologies of rivals in conflict.

Solon served as interim dean for the Carter School in 2013, and Vice President for Global Strategy for George Mason from 2014-2017, and he teaches classes on conflict theory, narrative, media, discourse and conflict, human rights, quantitative and qualitative methodology, global conflict, and critical theory.