Ahmad Abu-Akel is a cognitive and social neuroscientist and Professor of Psychopathology at the School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa. A Palestinian originally from the Wadi Ara region of Israel, he began his involvement in peacebuilding as a teenager through volunteer work at the Givat Haviva Center for Peace. His research explores empathy and its potential role in conflict resolution, bringing B8 of Hope valuable insight into the psychological and social dimensions of peacebuilding.