CMU Faculty

Dr. Jobb Arnold is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Conflict Resolution Studies at Canadian Mennonite University. His research examines how communities interpret and respond to environmental and social stress, and how these processes shape trajectories toward conflict, cooperation, and resilience.

Drawing on comparative work in Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, and Canada, his research integrates psychosocial, qualitative, and geospatial approaches to better understand how meaning-making, coherence, and social dynamics influence conflict outcomes. His work contributes to interdisciplinary debates in conflict studies, peace research, and social psychology, with particular attention to community-level processes and adaptation under conditions of uncertainty.

Areas of Teaching

Conflict and Social Cohesion; Resilience and Adaptation under Stress; Genocide and Mass Violence; Reconciliation and Peacebuilding

Education

PhD, Queen's University (2014); MA University of British Columbia (2007); BA Lakehead University

Work in Detail

Teaching

Foundations in Psychology and Conflict Studies

• PSYC 1010 – Introduction to Psychology
• CRS 1200 – Introduction to Conflict Resolution

Conflict, Communication, and Social Dynamics

• PSYC 2950 / CRS 2250 – Conflict and Communications
• PSYC 3040 – Political Psychology
• PSYC 3050 – Cultural Psychology

Peace, Violence, and Psychosocial Processes

• PSYC 3950 – Peace Psychology
• CRS 3331 – Genocide, War and Violent Conflict
• CRS 3332 – Trauma and Violence
• CRS 3931 – Conflict Resolution and Human Rights

Research

Dr. Arnold's research examines how communities interpret and respond to environmental and social stress, and how these processes shape pathways toward conflict, cooperation, and resilience. His work integrates psychosocial, qualitative, and geospatial approaches to analyze community-level dynamics across diverse contexts, including Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, and Canada. His current research focuses on climate variability, meaning-making, and conflict processes among rural farming communities in Zimbabwe.

A. Selected Recent and Ongoing Research

Assessing Psycho-Social Adaptation and Conflict Resolution Capacities Among Rural Farmers in the Context of Extreme Drought (2023–2025)
Foundations for the Future of Rural, Brandon University, 2025

Who Brings the Rains? Integrating Satellite Precipitation Data and Indigenous Rainmaking Perspectives
Foundations for the Future of Rural, Brandon University, 2025

Why Peace Professionalism Matters in Uncertain Conflict and Development Contexts
Canadian Association for the Study of International Development, 2024

B. Peer-Reviewed Publications

Arnold, J. (2023). Conflict and Reconciliation in Canada: Antagonism and Agonistic Peacebuilding. Journal of Transdisciplinary Peace Praxis.

Arnold, J. (2019). Salutogenesis and the Prevention of Social Death... Genocide Studies and Prevention.

Arnold, J. (2018). Bare Nature: Re-grounding Relational Genocide... Space and Culture.

Arnold, J. (2011). A Psychological Investigation... Rwanda. In Confronting Genocide.

Byrne, S. & Arnold, J. (2009–2010). Northern Ireland peacebuilding articles (Geopolitics; Journal of Human Security; Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding)

C. Reports, Applied Work, and Public Scholarship

Community Meth Response Training Manual (2020)

Enhancing Educational Outcomes for South Sudanese Refugee Youth (2020)

Being Online During COVID-19 (2020)

Stewarding Sacred Seeds (NAIITS, 2020)

Applied

Applied Engagement and Leadership

Dr. Arnold's applied work spans academic, policy, and community contexts, with a focus on conflict, resilience, and social change.

Academic and Program Leadership

• Adjunct Professor, Doctoral Program in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Manitoba (2017–present)
• Program Coordinator, MA Peacebuilding and Collaborative Development (2019–2024)
• Practicum Advisor, Conflict Resolution Studies, Menno Simons College (2016–present)

Policy and Advisory Roles

• Manitoba Public Safety Training Strategy Steering Committee, Clunis Consulting (2023–2024)
• Indigenous–Settler Working Group, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (2019–present)

Research and International Experience

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Affect Project, University of Manitoba (2015)
• Networks Advisor, Resilience Research Centre, Dalhousie University (2013)
• Research Analyst, European Union Monitoring and Evaluation, Northern Ireland (2008–2009)
• Good Governance Project, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Rwanda (2005)

Early Career Leadership

• Youth Programs Team Lead, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (2001–2014)

Community

Community Engagement

Dr. Arnold engages in community-based work focused on conflict, integration, and social cohesion, particularly in relation to Indigenous–settler–newcomer relations.

Ongoing Engagement

• Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, Indigenous–Newcomer Sector Table (2015–present)

Community Training and Workshops

• Conflict in the Workplace, Staff Training Workshop, Career Trek, Manitoba (May 2025)