Michal Shavit

Michal has more than 25 years’ experience working at the intersection of ideas, international affairs, culture and public engagement. Throughout her career as a publisher, and prior to that as a political researcher in Parliament and a leading think tank, she has been fascinated by how people understand the world differently: how our histories, experiences and identities shape the stories we tell about ourselves and others. Her work has taught her the importance of approaching complexity with curiosity and listening carefully to different perspectives.

She holds a BA in Modern History from the University of Oxford and an MSc in The Theory and History of International Relations from the London School of Economics, where she specialised in the Middle East. Her academic background and professional experience have given her a longstanding interest in the political, historical and social dynamics that shape conflict, cooperation, peacebuilding, and have led her towards working in conflict resolution and the creation of more constructive pathways for dialogue and understanding.

Her ability to see the world through multiple lenses has been central to Michal’s professional life. For over two decades she has worked with writers, thinkers, academics, public intellectuals and policy makers from across the world, engaging with individuals whose perspectives on politics, society and human experience often differed profoundly. Through these encounters, she developed a deep appreciation for the role of narrative in shaping relationships between individuals, communities and societies - and for the importance of creating space where different perspectives can be heard and understood.

This experience is at the heart of Michal’s commitment to conflict resolution. She is drawn to the field because she believes that many conflicts are rooted not only in competing interests, but also in competing understandings of history, identity, experience and belonging. Her career has given her a particular sensitivity to the assumptions and narratives that shape how people see themselves and others, and to the importance of empathy, dialogue, managing radical differences and careful listening to build greater understanding.