Dr. Daniel Rothbart
Director
Dr. Rothbart is the Druscilla French Chair in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at the Carter School. He specializes in prevention of mass violence, ethnic conflicts, power and conflict, the ethics of conflict resolution, civilians in war and the psycho-politics of conflict. He currently serves as co-director of the Program on Prevention of Mass Violence.
Dr. Rothbart has authored or edited 10 books, received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Washington University, St. Louis, and began his academic career in the department of philosophy at GMU.
Randy Lioz
Manager
Randy is a master’s student at the Carter School, and has been working to address political polarization since 2017, serving in various roles at Braver Angels, and through his consulting firm, DOC: Depolarizing Organizational Cultures. He has regularly led workshops for regional and national audiences, in addition to spreading the depolarization message through interviews, speeches, writing, and podcast appearances.
Randy has a bachelor’s in economics from Duke University, and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Emily Williams
Affiliate
Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of New England and is currently pursuing a master’s degree from George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Emily’s research background is in social psychology with a strong focus on topics related to intergroup dynamics and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
She also works for Mindbridge, the nation’s leading non-profit using brain and behavioral science to empower human rights defenders. When Emily has a break from academics and work, she’s an avid world traveler who enjoys photography, painting, and reading!
Yenting Lin
Intern
Yenting Lin is a master’s student in public policy at George Mason University. He holds a BA and BS from National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan. His research interests include national security, hybrid warfare, digital repression, misinformation, and U.S.–Taiwan–China relations. He has previously worked with the Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society, a university think tank in Taiwan, and as a research intern at the National Health Insurance Administration in Taipei, Taiwan.
Yenting is also a member of the army reserve in Taiwan. In addition to his academic work, his writing has appeared in journals and outlets such as Small Wars Journal, American Intelligence Journal, The Defence Horizon Journal, Asia Times, and the University of Nottingham’s Taiwan Research Hub.
Chase Daley
Intern
Chase is a student at the Carter School, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution with a concentration in Interpersonal Dynamics. His passion for peacemaking emerged in his late 20s, motivating him to return to school to build a career on this newfound skill.
Having personally experienced online radicalization in his youth, he gained a unique understanding of how polarization forms. Chase’s long-term goal is to work with individuals seeking practical spiritual and mental solutions to overcome fear and dread. He believes that addressing internal conflict is essential for creating lasting change and peace in the world.
Madison Vuong
Intern
Madison is an undergraduate student at the Carter School with a concentration in Building Peace in Divided Societies, set to graduate in Spring 2026. She was a Peacebuilding Fellow ’25 and enrolled in George Mason University’s Peace Corps Prep Program. She is currently also interning at DC Peace Team, a D.C. nonprofit focused on nonviolent peacemaking and resistance.
With an interest in politics and youth education, Madison has interned for the U.S. House of Representatives and held several youth leadership positions in her community. She hopes to work in the nonprofit space after graduation.