Organizational Ombuds: A Necessary and Valuable Role

The field of ombuds work is one that has evolved over the centuries and includes the modern Organizational Ombuds as a collaboration and conflict management profession. Now that the International Association for Conflict Management has established its first ombuds position, this novel session aims to help IACM members and conference participants understand the value of this role. This session will approach the practices of organizational ombuds from multiple perspectives from North America, including Higher Education and Federal Government. In addition to an overview of the origins and development of organizational ombuds work, this session will provide an in-depth look at the principles of the practice and the contribution of ombuds roles within institutions, including the role of the ombuds in the International Association for Conflict Management itself. We will also utilize real world examples for discussion, and present data to illustrate the usage and significance of ombuds work. This session is intended to encourage attendees to engage with case studies drawn from presenters’ experiences, and to demonstrate how the practices can be applied more broadly.