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Conciliation research attracts ARC funding

Building on this conflict resolution research, Victoria University has been granted competitive funding of $312,825 over three years under the Australian Research Council's (ARC) Linkage Projects scheme, for the Information Systems project: 'Developing negotiation decision support systems that promote constructive relationships following disputes'.

The research will be undertaken by VU, with partners, Relationships Australia - Queensland Branch; and Victoria Body Corporate Services Pty Ltd.

The project researchers are:

• Professor John Zeleznikow - School of Information Systems, Victoria University;
• Professor Tania Sourdin - School of Law, LaTrobe University;
• Dr Brooke Abrahams - School of Information Systems, Victoria University;
• Dr Arno Lodder - Centre for Electronic Dispute Resolution, Free University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

It is hoped that the development of negotiation support systems that focus upon complying with notions of equity, rather than mere integrative bargaining, will lead to more durable outcomes, meaning negotiated settlements will not be discarded and constantly re-litigated.

The development of appropriate systems will provide those in dispute with information and knowledge that will lead to the continuation of constructive relationships following disputes and reduce the magnitude and extent of conflicts. This will lead to significant cost savings in the administration of justice as well as reduced legal fees. It will result in more harmonious communities especially in families and body corporates.

Further information:
School of Information Systems, VU. Ph: (03) 9919 4007; Email: InformationSystems@vu.edu.au