In February 2026, the Behavioral Scientist magazine, in collaboration with the peace science organization Neuropaz, convened a significant online event to delve into the burgeoning field at the intersection of behavioral science and peace and conflict resolution. Titled "Neuropaz 2026 – Hard Truths and Paths Forward," the gathering aimed to confront the multifaceted obstacles hindering progress in peacebuilding, from funding challenges to the amplification of societal divisions through technology, and the prioritization of political expediency over genuine peace efforts. The event brought together a diverse array of leading scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and funders, fostering candid discussions to identify and overcome these barriers, ultimately illuminating new avenues for achieving lasting peace.
The urgency of such a dialogue was underscored by the prevailing global landscape, marked by increasing geopolitical instability, the persistent threat of armed conflict, and the growing recognition that traditional approaches to peacebuilding require augmentation with insights from the behavioral sciences. The theme, "hard truths and paths forward," directly addressed the often-unacknowledged complexities and setbacks inherent in this critical area of work. These challenges are not merely theoretical; they manifest as tangible obstacles such as dwindling research budgets, the weaponization of social media to incite outrage and division, and political systems that can be swayed by short-term gains rather than long-term stability.
The event, organized by Evan Nesterak, Editor-in-Chief of Behavioral Scientist, and Andrés Casas, Founder of Neuropaz, served as a vital platform for a comprehensive exploration of these issues. Their joint introduction set the stage, emphasizing the need for evidence-based strategies and a deep understanding of human behavior to navigate the intricate pathways to peace. The program was dedicated to the memory of Emile Bruneau, a prominent figure in peace science, whose work exemplified the power of interdisciplinary approaches to conflict resolution.
A Decade of Peace in Colombia: Reflections and Recognition
A pivotal moment of Neuropaz 2026 was the recognition of the tenth anniversary of the historic peace agreement in Colombia. In honor of this milestone and President Juan Manuel Santos’s instrumental role in its realization, Neuropaz presented him with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. President Santos, who served as President of Colombia from 2010 to 2018, engaged in a profound conversation with Andrés Casas, reflecting on the decade since the signing of the agreement and his ongoing commitment to peacebuilding through the Fundación Compaz.
The Colombian peace process, initiated in 2016, represented a landmark achievement in Latin America, bringing an end to over five decades of internal armed conflict. The agreement, however, was not without its challenges, facing implementation hurdles, societal divisions, and ongoing security concerns. President Santos’s reflections provided invaluable insights into the complexities of sustained peacebuilding, highlighting the importance of political will, societal reconciliation, and the continuous adaptation of strategies in response to evolving circumstances. His work with Fundación Compaz exemplifies a commitment to translating peace agreements into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens, fostering social cohesion and addressing the root causes of conflict.
Following this address, Andrés Moya and Felipe De Brigard presented two lines of applied research that emerged from the Colombian peace process. Their session, "Building Peace in Colombia 10 Years After the Historic Peace Agreement," offered compelling case studies demonstrating the practical application of behavioral science in fostering peace and preventing conflict. These examples served as powerful illustrations of how scientific insights can be translated into actionable interventions that contribute to reconciliation and long-term stability, not only in Colombia but also in other conflict-affected regions globally. The research likely delved into areas such as behavioral nudges for reintegration, the impact of communication strategies on intergroup relations, and the psychological effects of prolonged conflict on individuals and communities.
Understanding and Influencing Behavior in Conflict Zones
The event then shifted to exploring the critical role of understanding and influencing behavior during active conflicts. The session, "Understanding Behavior During an Active Conflict," addressed the inherent difficulties and immense value of such research. Participants examined behavioral dynamics at multiple levels: the individual, the community, and the institutional. Mareike Schomerus discussed individual interventions in Syria, offering a glimpse into the direct application of behavioral insights to support vulnerable populations and facilitate humanitarian aid.
Greg Power and Britt Titus explored research on the spread of hate speech and misinformation in online digital communities, a growing concern in contemporary conflicts. Their contributions highlighted how behavioral science can be leveraged to counter the amplification of divisive narratives and promote more constructive online discourse. Furthermore, Helena Puig Larrauri emphasized the crucial role of a behavioral perspective in building resilient and lasting democratic institutions, suggesting that understanding citizen behavior and motivations is paramount to establishing stable governance structures in post-conflict societies. This segment underscored the multifaceted nature of conflict, acknowledging that interventions must address not only overt violence but also the underlying social, psychological, and institutional factors that perpetuate it.
Social Gravity and the Dynamics of Peace
Betsy Levy Paluck introduced the compelling concept of "social gravity," defining it as a fundamental force in human social life that draws individuals toward shared ideas and behaviors within their social spheres. Her presentation explored how this phenomenon influences individual and collective actions in contexts of peace and conflict. Understanding social gravity offers a powerful lens through which to analyze how norms are established, maintained, and transformed, providing insights into the mechanisms that can either reinforce division or foster cooperation. This concept has significant implications for designing interventions that leverage positive social influence to promote peace, encouraging the adoption of pro-peace behaviors and attitudes by making them socially normative and desirable.
Scholars Reflecting on Lived Experiences of Violence
A particularly poignant session, "Scholars Reflect on Past and Ongoing Violence," brought together scholars whose academic work is deeply intertwined with their personal experiences of conflict. Oksana Myshlovska and Yasemin Gülsüm Acar shared their unique perspectives on how they navigate, rethink, and conduct their research in regions affected by violence. This panel offered a critical human dimension to the scientific discussions, acknowledging the emotional and ethical complexities faced by researchers working in sensitive contexts. Their reflections likely touched upon the challenges of maintaining objectivity while grappling with personal connections to conflict, the importance of culturally sensitive research methodologies, and the potential for scholarship to contribute to healing and reconciliation. This introspective approach is vital for ensuring that peace science remains grounded in lived realities and ethical considerations.
The Potential of Behavioral Science in War Prevention
The question of whether behavioral science can actively prevent war was addressed in a forward-looking panel, "Could Behavioral Science Prevent a War?" This session featured a dynamic exchange between researchers, practitioners, and technologists. The discussion revolved around identifying novel solutions, rigorous field testing, innovative funding mechanisms, and the role of technology in reducing costs for targeting, forecasting, and scaling peacebuilding initiatives.
Salma Mousa, Dave Levin, Catherine Thompson, and Josh Martin highlighted the need for a multi-pronged approach. Mousa’s work likely focuses on understanding the drivers of conflict at the grassroots level, while Levin might have discussed the application of technology and data analytics for early warning systems and conflict prediction. Thompson and Martin could have elaborated on the financial and logistical challenges of implementing peace interventions, emphasizing the need for cost-effective and scalable solutions. This panel implicitly argued for a proactive rather than reactive stance, suggesting that by understanding the behavioral precursors to conflict, interventions can be designed to de-escalate tensions before they erupt into full-blown violence. The potential implications of such advancements could include reduced human suffering, economic savings from averted conflicts, and the creation of more stable and prosperous global communities.
Innovating Peace Funding Paradigms
A critical aspect of advancing peace science and practice is securing sustainable and adequate funding. The session, "Innovations in Peace Funding," addressed the current challenges and opportunities in this domain. The panel acknowledged a significant reduction in investments from traditional bilateral donors in peacebuilding and foreign aid. Simultaneously, new pools of capital are emerging, often with a strong emphasis on measurable outcomes and quantifiable impact.
Håvard Mokleiv Nygård, Leslie Wingender, Zezhen Wu, and Nessa Kenny explored innovative models for bridging this gap. Their discussions likely focused on making a compelling case for investing in peace, even when its impact is difficult to quantify in the short term. This involved considering how to align the priorities of traditional peace funders with emerging capital sources and practitioners. The implications of this discussion are far-reaching, as effective peacebuilding requires sustained financial commitment. Developing new funding paradigms that recognize the long-term, often intangible, benefits of peace is essential for the field’s growth and impact. This could involve exploring impact investing, blended finance models, and innovative partnerships that can leverage diverse funding streams to support peace initiatives.
Confronting Hard Truths and Charting Future Directions
The event concluded with a reflective session where James Robinson shared his personal journey and the "hard truths" he has encountered throughout his career. His insights into what he has learned, why his perspectives have evolved, and his vision for the future offered a personal and profound closing to the conference. This introspective contribution served as a reminder that progress in peace science is an ongoing process of learning, adaptation, and intellectual humility.
The collective insights from Neuropaz 2026 underscore a significant shift in how peace and conflict are understood and addressed. By integrating behavioral science, the field is moving beyond traditional diplomatic and military approaches to embrace a more nuanced, evidence-based, and human-centered strategy. The event not only highlighted the challenges but also provided a hopeful roadmap for future endeavors, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to applying scientific understanding to the pursuit of a more peaceful world. The comprehensive collection of recordings and further resources made available by the organizers offers a valuable archive for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to contribute to this vital mission.