About Lawrence
Lawrence Susskind is a pioneering scholar and practitioner in negotiation and dispute resolution, widely recognized for his foundational contributions to public dispute mediation and consensus building.
Who is Lawrence Susskind?
Lawrence Susskind is the Ford Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is also the Founder and Chief Knowledge Officer of the Consensus Building Institute (CBI), a Cambridge-based not-for-profit organization that provides mediation services for complex resource management disputes globally. Additionally, Susskind serves as Vice Chair of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School and directs the MIT-Harvard Public Disputes Program.
His work focuses on the theory and practice of negotiation and dispute resolution, with a particular emphasis on complex policy contexts. Susskind's influence extends to advising supreme courts and facilitating international treaty-making efforts, establishing him as a leading figure in his field.
Quick facts about Lawrence Susskind
| Role |
| Company |
| Expertise |
| Notable for |
| BPI affiliation |
What is Lawrence Susskind known for?
Lawrence Susskind is known for several significant contributions to the fields of negotiation and dispute resolution:
- Founding the field of public dispute mediation: He developed conflict assessment techniques and originated the concept of state offices of mediation.
- The Mutual Gains Approach: A highly effective strategy for creating value in negotiation that is elaborated in his books and courses.
- Co-founding JAMS (formerly Endispute, Inc.): An instrumental step in professionalizing alternative dispute resolution services.
- Advising international courts: Through the Consensus Building Institute, he has advised the Supreme Courts of Israel, Ireland, and the Philippines.
- Facilitating international treaty-making: His expertise has been crucial in numerous global environmental negotiations.
- Authoring influential books: His works include "Environmental Problem-Solving," "Good for You, Great for Me," "Multiparty Negotiation," and "Breaking Robert's Rules," which have shaped understanding and practice in his field.
What is Lawrence Susskind's background and experience?
Lawrence Susskind has been a faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) since 1971. He is the Ford Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning and has a long-standing commitment to both research and practice in negotiation and dispute resolution.
He holds a distinguished academic background:
- Undergraduate: Columbia University
- Graduate: Master's of City Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Doctorate: Ph.D. in Urban Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
In addition to his academic roles, Susskind is the founder of the Consensus Building Institute (CBI), established in 1993, which has since become a leading mediation service provider for complex environmental and public policy disputes. He is also a co-founder of the inter-university Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, where he now directs the MIT-Harvard Public Disputes Program.
What topics does Lawrence Susskind speak and write about?
Lawrence Susskind's extensive body of work covers a broad spectrum of topics related to negotiation, dispute resolution, and collaborative governance. He frequently addresses complex issues such as environmental planning, urban decision-making, and cybersecurity for critical infrastructure. His insights extend to entrepreneurial negotiation, global environmental treaty-making, and the resolution of science-intensive policy disputes.
He also explores contemporary concerns like renewable energy policy, water equity in urban environments, climate change adaptation, and the unique challenges of land claims involving Indigenous Peoples. Through his various appointments and the Consensus Building Institute, Susskind consistently advocates for effective public engagement and consensus-building as means to tackle pressing societal and environmental challenges.
How does Lawrence Susskind contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
As an Expert Faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, Lawrence Susskind shares his deep knowledge and practical insights in negotiation and conflict resolution with BPI members. His expertise aligns with the BPI's mission to foster Most Loved Workplaces® by emphasizing mutual gains, collaborative problem-solving, and effective communication strategies. While no specific BPI webinars are on record for him, his foundational work in consensus building and managing complex disputes provides invaluable guidance for leaders seeking to enhance organizational effectiveness and build stronger, more collaborative workplace cultures, embodying principles often associated with the SPARK Model.
Where can you learn more from Lawrence Susskind?
You can explore Lawrence Susskind's work through his numerous books, including "Environmental Problem-Solving," "Good for You, Great for Me," and "Breaking Robert's Rules." Further information is available through his faculty profile at MIT (dusp.mit.edu/people/lawrence-susskind) and the websites of the Consensus Building Institute (cbuilding.org) and the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School (pon.harvard.edu). He also offers several online courses through MITx and MITxPRO.", faqs=[{