Framework for Open and Reproducible Research Training Launches Ombuds Program

FORRT, a decentralized, international, volunteer-based community that advances open and reproducible research practices, has established a Confidential Advisor and Ombuds program. The inaugural Confidential Advisor is Ruth Van der Hallen and the inaugural Ombuds is Thomas Rhys Evans. Together, they will provide confidential and informal support for members of the organization and help address concerns affecting the FORRT community. (FORTT Confidential Advisor & Ombuds.) 

Stony Brook University Adds Second Ombuds

The State University of New York at Stony Brook has expanded its Ombuds Office with the appointment of Alexis Rodgers as Stony Brook Medicine Ombuds. She joins Donna Buehler, who has served as University Ombuds since 2022, creating a two-person office serving distinct constituencies across the institution. Rodgers will serve Stony Brook Medicine, including hospitals, research facilities, and clinics, while Buehler will continue to serve the main campus and the rest of the university community. The two Ombuds will collaborate on workshops and other educational resources for the university.

Job Posting: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina's flagship public research university has opened a search for its next University Ombuds and Director of the University Ombuds Office. The full-time position reports directly to the Chancellor and serves faculty, staff, students, administrators, and postdoctoral scholars across the university. The position is expected to begin in October 2026 and succeeds Dawn Osborne-Adams, who served as University Ombuds from 2018 until earlier this year. The successful candidate will join Josh Canzona, who is serving as Interim Ombuds, and Victoria Dowd, Assistant University Ombuds and Program Specialist.

Meet Atlanta's Neighborhood Ombuds

A new webpage for Atlanta reveals that the city has appointed two Neighborhood Relations Managers to its Office of Neighborhood Ombuds: Amber Ware and Clyde Mitchell. As Neighborhood Relations Managers, they serve as External Ombuds for residents and neighborhood stakeholders with issues involving city government and programs. 

University of Kentucky Reopens Search for Next Academic Ombuds

The public university in Lexington has resumed its internal search for an Academic Ombud. The position may be filled by a tenured or emeriti faculty member who provides services to students with academic issues. UK had one of the first university Ombuds in the United States and 29 faculty have served in the position over the last five decades. Alice Turkington, Professor of Geography, has served several terms as the Academic Ombud since she was selected in 2021. The position reports to UK's provost and practices to IOA standards. (UK Provost News.)

Job Posting: Cornell University

The Ivy League university in Ithaca, New York, is hiring an Assistant Ombuds. The new, full-time position will join the University Ombuds, Bruce Lewenstein, and Assistant Ombuds, Maria Zambos. This is a new position and not a direct replacement for the role held by Ati Alipour, who moved recently to Harvard’s Ombuds Office. The Assistant Ombuds is an on-campus position that serves faculty, staff, and students (excluding Weill Cornell Medicine). 

Job Posting: Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA's Alternative Dispute Resolution Division in the Office of the Chief Counsel, is hiring for two positions at its headquarters in Washington, DC: an ADR Attorney-Advisor (a temporary CORE appointment) and a Supervisory ADR Attorney-Advisor (a permanent full-time appointment). The positions provide conflict management and organizational development services very similar to Ombuds work across FEMA. The ADR Attorney-Advisor is primarily a practitioner role focused on delivering services directly to clients and conducting legal analysis related to ADR systems and authorities. The Supervisory Attorney-Advisor combines ADR practice with significant management responsibilities, including supervising staff, assigning cases, managing workload, handling personnel matters, overseeing projects and committees, and helping shape division policy and strategy. Telework is available for both positions.

Harvard University Appoints Ombuds

Harvard University has selected Ati Alipour, CO-OP, as an Ombuds in the Harvard Ombuds Office. She joins the office on July 21, 2026, succeeding Lisa Neale, who retired earlier this year. Alipour joins Melissa Brodrick and Adam Barak Kleinberger, along with three consulting Ombuds who support the office.

ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Seeks Spring 2027 Conference Proposals

The American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution has issued a call for program proposals for its 2027 Spring Conference, which will be held in Chicago on April 16–17, 2027. The Section is seeking forward-thinking, skills-based presentations that help dispute resolution professionals address today's most pressing challenges. Selected programs will be 60 minutes long and feature two to four presenters. The organizers encourage proposals that bring together diverse perspectives, experiences, practice areas, and backgrounds. Proposals are due July 24, 2026. (ABA DRS.)

Jefferson Lab Selects External Ombuds Provider

The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, the DOE lab in Newport News, Virginia, has launched an Ombuds program, nearly a year after issuing a request for proposals seeking an external provider. The new program will be provided by Bultman Wilson Consulting, a Maryland-based human resources consulting firm led by Wiltina Wilson. The new Ombuds program will provide IOA-compliant services to about 700 lab employees and other scientific users for an initial initial contract term of five years. 

Registration Opens for Inaugural Mid-Atlantic Ombuds Network Annual Event

Registration is now open for the in-person annual event of the Mid-Atlantic Ombuds Network (MAON). After meeting virtually for several years, the regional group will convene Ombuds and other conflict resolution practitioners in Washington, DC, on October 15, 2026. Registration is $115.06 and includes breakfast, lunch, and a full day of educational programming, networking, and collaborative discussions. 

SAFE Dialogue Coach Launches AI Platform for Organizational Ombuds

A new AI-powered conflict coaching platform developed by a longtime Ombuds is being promoted as a resource that Ombuds can recommend to visitors preparing for difficult conversations. SAFE Dialogue Coach, created by Diedrick (D.A.) Graham, draws on draws on established conflict resolution and coaching frameworks to help visitors analyze conflicts, prepare for conversations, and practice communication strategies. According to Graham, the platform is intended to help individuals prepare for conflict resolution and, when appropriate, seek assistance from an Ombuds, serving "not as a replacement for the practitioner" but as a supplement to human guidance. SAFE Dialogue Coach joins a growing number of AI-based products and services being developed specifically for the Ombuds profession. 

ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Annual Membership Meeting

The ABA Section of Dispute Resolution will hold its Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, July 31, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Outgoing Section Chair Liz Hill will reflect on the Section's work over the past year and share a few thoughts as leadership transitions to a new team for the coming year. As the Section partners with IOA to implement a Model Ombuds Act, this promises to be an exciting year.

International Ombudsman Institute Adopts Ethical Principles Guide

IOI, the international association for more than 200 public-sector (Classical) Ombudsman programs in 100 countries, has adopted a new Guide to the Ethical Principles of Ombudspersons and their Staff Members. The document was unanimously approved by the IOI World Board at its May 2026 meeting in Curaçao and is intended to provide a common ethical framework for Ombudsman institutions worldwide. The guide identifies seven core principles that apply to Ombudsman programs regardless of their legal mandate or jurisdiction. It also addresses emerging issues such as accessibility, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence, emphasizing that technology should support, but not replace, human judgment. 

Job Posting: United Nations, Chile

The UN is hiring a Regional Ombudsman for its Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services in Santiago. The P-5 position manages a team of conflict resolution professionals and support staff serving the Latin American and Caribbean region. The appointment is for an initial one-year term and may be subject to extension.