Dr. Maor Shani

Osnabrück University
Institute of Psychology

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Since 2020, I have been a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Department of Developmental Psychology at Osnabrück University. Prior to this, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Anthropology from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, followed by a Master’s Degree in Comparative Politics and Sociology from Jacobs University Bremen. I received my PhD in Psychology from the Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS). Before coming to Osnabrück, I served as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Department of Psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Description of research

My research focuses on intergroup relations, with a specific interest in socio-psychological approaches to improving these relationships. For my doctoral dissertation, I evaluated the long-term effects of contact intervention aimed at promoting reconciliation between Jews and Palestinians. As part of the INCLUSIVITY project, my current work explores school interventions designed to foster intergroup tolerance in diverse social contexts. Simultaneously, I am conducting research on the role of emotions in intergroup conflict, the psychosocial impacts of racism and discrimination along with effective coping strategies, and socio-psychological aspects of managing chronic illness among children and adolescents.

Selection of relevant publications

*Shani, M., Horn, D., & Boehnke, K. (2019). Developmental Trajectories of Political Engagement from Adolescence to Mid-Adulthood: A Review with Empirical Underpinnings from the German Peace Movement. In N. Balvin & D. Christie (Eds.), Children and peace: From research to action (pp. 271-290). Springer.

*Kunst, J. R., Kimel, S. Y., Shani, M., Alayan, R., & Thomsen, L. (2019). Can Abraham bring peace? The relationship between acknowledging shared religious roots and intergroup conflict. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 11(4), 417–432

*Shani, M., & Boehnke, K. (2017). The Effect of Jewish-Palestinian Mixed-Model Encounters on Readiness for Contact and Policy Support. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 22(4), 219-224.

*Boehnke, K., Schmidtke, H., & Shani, M. (2010). „Peace-Making: Socio-Psychological Approaches“. In: Daniel Bar-Tal (Ed.) Intergroup Conflict and their Resolution: Social Psychological Perspective. Frontiers of Social Psychology Series, Psychology Press.

What do you like about the project?

QUOTES

“It's the opportunity to collaborate with an amazing group of researchers who have extensive knowledge in diversity and tolerance studies. Together, we explore how we can apply innovative, promising methods in real-world settings to encourage mutual respect, tolerance, and cooperation among adolescents from different social and cultural background. My hope is that our collective efforts will result in evidence-supported initiatives that can help lessen prejudice and polarization, not just in Germany, but around the world!”

Dr. Maor ShaniUNIVERSITY OF OSNABRÜCK