Ronald J. Fisher papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

Unredacted folders in Series 6, Boxes 18-23 may only be accessed onsite in SCRC's reading room. Oral history interviews in Series 7 may only be listened to onsite in SCRC's reading room until 2043.

Terms of access:

All folders in Series 6, Boxes 18-23 must have the names of participants in problem-solving workshops redacted by SCRC staff before digital or photocopies are made for researchers or for offsite use. Permission to publish material from Ronald J. Fisher papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

Ronald J. Fisher papers, C0322, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
13.0 linear feet (27 boxes)
Creator:
Fisher, Dr. Ronald J. and Fisher, Ronald J.
Abstract:
Materials from the professional life of Dr. Ronald J. Fisher, a distinguished visiting professor at the George Mason School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Ronald J. Fisher papers, C0322, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains materials from Dr. Ronald J. Fisher's entire professional life, from the late 1960s to the mid 2010s. His work covers a wide array of topics, from domestic conflict resolution, training and consultation, and international disputes such as ones in Cyprus and Sudan. Some materials also have French translations. Content includes items from workshops, conferences, books, journal articles, professional correspondence, and materials from various peace groups/non-governmental organizations.

Series 1: Correspondence and Domestic Conflict Resolution Training Materials (1965-2001). Correspondence includes letters and e-mails from Dr. Fisher's time in graduate school to the mid 2010s, to leaders in the industry such as John Burton, Herbert Kelman, and James Laue. This series includes professional correspondence to both individuals and publishers for his works. The domestic conflict resolution training materials are from his early career while at the University of Saskatchewan.

Series 2: International Conflict Resolution Training and Consultation Materials (1992-2001). The materials contained in this series involve non-governmental organizations and his association with them. It contains workshop materials, correspondence, and handouts.

Series 3: Conflict Resolution Initiatives (1983-2006). Contains work with various organizations and groups on topics such as ethnopolitical warfare, international conflict resolution, and intergroup conflict training.

Series 4: Conflict Resolution Book Manuscripts (1970s-2005). Contains print-outs of chapters and research from his published books. Contains interviews with influential professionals in the field such as John Burton, Christopher Mitchell, and Leonard Doob.

Series 5: Journal Articles, Conference Papers, and Book Chapters (1968-2015). Contains works throughout his career, starting with his MA thesis. This series contains materials from his contributed works to various individuals' books, non-governmental organizations, and conferences.

Series 6: Conflict Resolution Workshops, Conferences, and Non-Governmental Organizations (1988-2013). Contains materials from Cyprus and Sudan related peace workshops, Cyprus trips, and writings relating to the conflict. Furthermore, it contains materials relating to non-governmental organizations such as the U.S. Institute of Peace, Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy, Institute for World Affairs, etc.

Series 7: Audiovisual Materials (1983-1992). Contains interviews with various influential names in the field, such as Herbert Kelman, Leonard Doob, Christopher Mitchell, Tony Derueck, John Groom, James Laue, and recordings from Fisher-led several workshops. Digital versions of these tapes are available to the public for use onsite in SCRC's reading room.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. Ronald J. Fisher was a prominent figure and contributor to the field of Conflict Resolution. He started his career at the University of Saskatchewan in the early 1970s, working as a Professor of Social Psychology with a specialization in Conflict Resolution. Fisher worked with the regional community, developing workshops for domestic and international issues, and participated in university organizations to further his goal for international peace. Later, he worked at a variety of institutions, including the George Mason University School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, as a visiting professor and at American University as the Director of the International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program.

Dr. Fisher actively participated in conferences and workshops with a variety of people in the Conflict Resolution field. He researched and conducted workshops on the crises in countries like Cyprus and Sudan to find a peaceful end to their civil strife. Dr. Fisher also hosted and contributed to a variety of peace groups and non-governmental organizations, such as the United States Institute of Peace and the Institute of World Affairs, what is now the Alliance for Peacebuilding.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Ronald J. Fisher in March 2018.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Christopher Babbitt in August 2019. EAD markup completed by Christopher Babbitt in August 2019.

Arrangement:
  1. Series 1: Correspondence and Domestic Conflict Resolution (1965-2001)
  2. Series 2: International Conflict Resolution Training and Consultation Materials (1992- 2001)
  3. Series 3: Conflict Resolution Initiatives (1983-2006)
  4. Series 4: Conflict Resolution Book Manuscripts (1970s-2005)
  5. Series 5: Journal Articles, Conference Papers, and Book Chapters (1968-2015)
  6. Series 6: Conflict Resolution Workshops, Conferences, and Non-Governmental Organizations (1988-2013)
  7. Series 7: Audiovisual Materials (1983-1992)

This collection is arranged into seven series based on Dr. Fisher's original order of the materials. Some series titles were amended for clarity. Each series is arranged chronologically.

Physical / technical requirements:

The majority of the audiovisual materials found in Series 7 have been digitized and are available for use in the Special Collections Research Center.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard