World Anti-Bullying Forum 2023

Univ Of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC

Investigators

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract Bullying is an increasingly serious public health concern associated with various negative short and long term effects for both victims and perpetrators. Despite the pervasiveness of this problem, programming designed to address bullying shows modest effects. This deficit highlights an important need for additional international discussion on how to mitigate and end bullying. The World Anti-Bullying Forum (WABF) is a large, international multidisciplinary conference focused on engaging various stakeholders from diverse disciplines to promote discussion and engage in large scale work to further broaden the field's understanding of bullying. This event is the only one of its kind bringing together scholars, practitioners and youth advocates from around the globe for a multi-day conference on various forms of youth bullying. In 2023 the WABF will be held for the first time in the United States, presenting a unique opportunity for scholars who may not have attended previous events held in Europe. Diversity is an essential element of the WABF with previous events having representation from all six continents and over 40 countries. To increase accessibility for students from underrepresented backgrounds who may otherwise be unable to attend, this funding will be used to provide ten, $1,000 scholarships to cover the cost of travel and lodging to attend WABF 2023. Scholarship recipients will also receive free registration to ensure that the event is not cost prohibitive and to increase the diversity of representation at the event and in the field of bullying research. Increasing accessibility for these students will not only improve the success of the WABF, but will also help create a pipeline of diverse scholars who can continue this important work towards ending youth bullying.