From Conflict Narratives to Collective Action: Psychological Perspectives on Peace and Allyship

This talk explores how individuals and groups understand, experience, and act within contexts of intergroup conflict. Drawing on research conducted in Turkey, Northern Ireland, and Israel, I examine how conflict narratives shape attitudes toward peace, reconciliation, and collective action. Using qualitative, quantitative and mixed approaches, my work investigates how people from different ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds make sense of ongoing divisions and how these understandings influence their support for pro-minority policies and intergroup cooperation. A particular focus is placed on the role of allyship: how members of advantaged groups engage in actions that challenge inequalities and promote social justice in conflict settings. By integrating findings from multiple studies, the talk presents a framework for understanding the psychological processes that sustain or transform intergroup relations in divided societies, and highlights pathways toward more inclusive and peaceful coexistence.