Iryna Eihelson holds a PhD in social psychology (2009) from the Institute of Social and Political Psychology at the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine (2009). Her research topic was self-efficacy as a factor in cross-cultural adaptation. She also possesses an MA in psychology (2000) from Taurida National University in Simferopol.
She is a member of Ukrainian Community of Dialogue Practitioners and has 25 years’ experience in the spheres of conflict prevention, reconciliation and the transformation of identity-based conflicts (ethnic, religious, language-based, etc.).
Dr. Eihelson is a researcher and trainer in conflict transformation, peacebuilding, peace and multicultural education, cultural sensitivity, critical thinking and memory policy and conflicts. She has also co-written education courses and materials on dialogue facilitation. She has worked with central and local authorities in Ukraine, mediators and facilitators, NGOs journalists, minority groups and educators at the secondary and university level. Her projects have received the support of international organizations like the OSCE, IREX, International Alert, dvv-International, IOM, IRI, CMI, Caritas and others.
Her work since 2022 has been focused on trauma-informed peacebuilding.
Selected Publications
Eihelson I. (2024) ‘Irrelevance of Ethnic-based Approaches to Peacebuilding in the Case of the Russo-Ukrainian War’, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, pp. 79-96.
Eihelson, I.,Tereshchenko, I., Kukharuk, O., Bezkhlibna, N. (2023) ‘How to Work with Conflicts in Communities in the Times of War. A Guide to the Concept of Mobile Groups’, Kyiv.
Eihelson I., Ieligulashvili, M., Kalenychenko, T., Kyselova, T. (2022) ‘Responding to the Russian Invasion from the Grassroots: An Overview of Conflict Response Practices by Ukrainian Civil Society from February 24 to May 31’, National Platform for Resilience and Social Cohesion, Kyiv.
Eihelson I. and Ieligulashvili, M. (2022) ‘Dialogue Across the Contact Line: Experience Exchange, Problem Solving, Relationships Building’, Right to protection, Kyiv.
Nagai, M., Eihelson, I., Ieligulashvili, M. (2021) ‘Donbas Conflict: Taking Stock of Peacebuilding’, International Alert.
Brunova-Kalisetska, I., Kyselova, T., Martynenko, O. (2020) ‘How to Integrate Dialogue in Transitional Justice. Policy Brief’, National Platform, Kyiv.
