Job Posting: Western University

The public university in London, Ontario, is seeking an Associate Ombudsperson for a one-year temporary, full-time contract covering a leave of absence. (Sam Vandekerckhove has served in the position since June 2024.) The Associate Ombuds serves as the first point of contact for students and also supports the office's administrative functions. The on-site position reports to the University Ombuds, Whitney Barrett.

Get Ready for Ombuds Day 2026

The ninth annual Ombuds Day will be celebrated on Thursday, October 8, 2026, with the theme of “Mediation Meets the Ombuds World.” ABA Dispute Resolution Section Ombuds Day Subcommittee Chair Alec Chapa and event organizers Meg Willoughby and Caroline Adams, provide this explanation: 

Journal of IOA: Ombuds in a Complex World

Fred Wright, Fred Wright, Workplace Conciliator (Organizational Ombuds) in the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning for Victoria, Australia, is the author of the latest article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association. In "Ombudsing in Complex Environments," Wright argues that Ombuds need an updated role definition and knowledge base to effectively navigate increasingly complex organizational environments rather than relying on outdated professional assumptions and tools. The full article is now available online.

IOA Announces Speakers for 2026 September Symposium

The International Ombuds Association has released the agenda for its 2026 September Symposium, "Reframing Power and Influence: Exploring Intentional Ombuds Sway and the Tension Around Influence."  The event for intermediate and advanced Ombuds practitioners will take place on September 30 and October 1, 2026, at the Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, DC. 

Call for Presenters: IOA 2027 Annual Conference

The International Ombuds Association is inviting presentation proposals for its 22nd Annual Conference, which will be held in Vancouver, BC, on March 15-17, 2027. The announcement include several significant changes from last year's process, including the addition of half- and full-day pre-conference programs and a possible Research Symposium on the last day of the conference.

Call for Presentations: COFO 2026 Annual Conference

The Coalition of Federal Ombudsman is seeking proposals for presentations at its 2026 Annual Conference, which will be held in Alexandria, Virginia, on September 25, 2026. The free, hybrid event focuses on the needs of Ombuds practitioners serving in the federal government, but welcomes presenters and attendees from across the profession and broader alternative dispute resolution community. 

Article Examines Structural Vulnerability of Campus Ombuds

Paul J. Caffera, the University Ombuds at the University of Mississippi, is the author of a forthcoming article in Negotiation Journal, “The Ombuds in American Higher Education: A Distinct Dispute Resolution Role Built on a Flawed Foundation.” In his article, Caffera argues that a structural weakness embedded in the campus Ombuds model from its inception has left the role vulnerable to marginalization, closure, and outsourcing. 

Job Posting: Clark Atlanta University

The private HBCU in Southwest Atlanta is seeking a Special Assistant/Ombudsman for students and parents with concerns affecting the academic experience, student success, and campus climate. The new full-time, interim position is based in Academic Affairs and reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. CAU is part of Atlanta University Center Consortium with three other colleges and universities including Spelman College, which also recently established an Ombuds office.

Job Posting: Utah Valley University

The large public university in Orem is seeking its next Assistant Director of Student Conflict Resolution/Ombuds. The search will fill a position recently vacated by Victoria Cruz, who was promoted to Deputy Dean of Students. The full-time Ombuds position serves a student body of 37,000 and reports to the VP of Student Affairs. In addition, UVU's Ombuds oversees an Ombuds Fellowship Program.

University of Virginia Selects Next Ombuds

UVA has named Riley E. Barrar as its new University Ombuds. She will lead a program that serves nearly 40,000 faculty, staff, and students and supervises the UVA Health Ombuds, Henry Yampolsky, and a Program Coordinator.

Boston University Selects an Experienced Associate Ombuds

Samantha Levine-Finley has been appointed the new Associate Ombuds at BU, joining University Ombuds Francine Montemurro and Associate Ombuds Lailul Ikram. 

Johns Hopkins Expands Ombuds Services to All University Staff

JHU will expand its Ombuds Office this fall to provide services to university staff. The office was established in 2021 to serve PhD students and postdoctoral fellows and expanded last year to include master's and medical students. The office, led by Annalisa Peterson, will add an Associate Ombuds as it begins serving staff. 

ABA Ombuds Committee Begins Open Monthly Meetings

The American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution Ombuds Committee will begin monthly meetings on August 25, 2026. These meetings are free and open to "practicing ombuds from any sector, ombuds-curious, or just want to connect with individuals dedicated to the work." Bathabile K. S. Mthombeni and Matt Ricke are the committee co-chairs. Subsequent meetings are planned for: September 22, October 27, and November 24, 2026; and January 26, February 23, and March 23, 2027. (ABA Events.)

Ombuds Returns to University for Peace

UPEACE, the United Nations-affiliated university in Costa Rica, has reappointed Kathya Araya as its Ombudsperson. Araya previously served in the role from 2020 to 2022 and returns to the position following a search launched earlier this year. The Ombudsperson provides confidential guidance to students, staff, visiting faculty and scholars, interns, consultants, contractors, and others covered by university policies, with responsibilities including the prevention and resolution of prohibited conduct. 

FCO Announces 2026 Conference

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman has released details for its 2026 conference. The event will take place at the Delta Hotels Quebec City on October 19-22, 2026. The conference theme is "Ombuds: Institution of Trust - Strengthening Public Confidence" and registration is now open. 

Here are the scheduled speakers: