Reimagining Conflict Management Pedagogy through Fantastical Role-Play Simulations.

The article examines the use of fantastical role-play simulations, specifically a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)-based scenario, as pedagogical tools for teaching cross-cultural negotiation to adult learners in graduate-level conflict management courses. Comparing this fantastical simulation to a traditional real-life-based negotiation exercise, the study found that while both methods effectively conveyed negotiation concepts and cross-cultural dynamics, the fantastical simulation encouraged greater creativity, improvisation, and application of a wider range of negotiation strategies. Participants noted that the fictional, pop-culture-infused setting facilitated engagement and problem-solving without some of the cultural biases sometimes present in real-world scenarios. The study highlights both the potential benefits and logistical challenges of implementing fantastical simulations and calls for further research on their effectiveness across different educational contexts and disciplines.