The Ombuds Blog: Book Chapter Examines Ombuds Work in Czech Universities

October 06, 2025

Book Chapter Examines Ombuds Work in Czech Universities

A new book from Springer Nature explores the role of higher education management during crises and analyses the responses and gendered consequences for women in particular. One chapter looks at the work of Ombuds in the Czech Republic, "Ombuds on a Glass Cliff: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Czech Higher Education." The authors are all sociologists at the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences: Marcela Linková; Zuzana Andreska; and Michaela Fikejzová.

Here is the abstract:

Gender-based violence, including sexual harassment and social safety more broadly, has garnered increased attention in Czech higher education in the last 5 years. One of the main changes this has generated is the establishment of the ombuds position at Czech higher education institutions. In this chapter, we examine the reasons for the creation of this position, the structural positions ombuds occupy, the structural conditions in which they operate, and the types of service they are expected to deliver. Our analysis is based on a focus group with ombuds, several of whom are the founding members of the recently established School Ombuds Platform. We argue that the ombuds appear to be positioned on a glass cliff, dealing with crises primarily to ensure the reputational integrity of Czech higher education institutions. We interrogate this recent development in relation to neoliberal performativity and the ability to enact institutional change to address gender-based violence in academia.

The chapter is behind a paywall. (Springer Nature.)

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany/Austria -- Ombudspersonen and Ombudsleute

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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October 06, 2025

Book Chapter Examines Ombuds Work in Czech Universities

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