IOA Publishes Long-Awaited Ombuds Book

The International Ombuds Association has published its first book: The Organizational Ombuds: Foundations, Fundamentals & The Future. Written by practicing Ombuds, the book offers a thorough and current overview of the profession. Edited by Shannon L. Burton (Ombuds at Michigan State University) and Loraleigh Keashly (Professor of Communication at Wayne State University), the book is a comprehensive compilation of the interdisciplinary and nuanced history, theory and practices found within the field.

IOA Posts Agenda for 2025 Annual Conference in Florida

The International Ombuds Association has opened registration for its 20th annual conference. The event is set for April 7-9, 2025 in Miami, Florida at the Hilton Miami Downtown. The conference is preceded by three days of training session. Registration is now open and IO has published the tentative conference agenda:

Journal of IOA Article Examines Role of Civility

Julia L. Farmer, the Director of Ombuds Services at the University of West Georgia, is the author of a new article in the peer-reviewed Journal of the International Ombuds Association. In "Navigating Civility’s Baggage: Some Thoughts for Ombuds Practitioners," Farmer offers some important context for Ombuds engage with visitors around the issue of civility. The article is the first in a JIOA Special Issue on Politics and Polarization.

University of West Georgia Posts 2023 Annual Report

Julia Farmer, UWG's Director of Ombuds Services, reports that her office handled 96 cases in the 2023 fiscal year. Students comprised 20 visitors (21%) and the balance were staff and faculty. Cases related to evaluative relationships were the primary issue for all visitors. (UWG Ombuds Report.)

IOA Posts Agenda and Opens Registration for 2023 Conference

Organizational Ombuds will gather in Seattle for the International Ombuds Association 18th Annual Conference on April 3-5, 2023. This the first in-person conference since 2019. IOA cancelled the event in 2020 shortly after the outbreak of COVID and held virtual conferences in 2021 and 2022. The theme considers the role of Ombuds and also hints at the changes in Ombuds practice: "Ombuds as Change Agent? ReEngaging and Transforming Conflict." Registration is now open and now the detailed agenda is available.

Journal of IOA Book Review: Bridges Not Blockades

Julia Farmer, the Director of Ombuds Services at the University of West Georgia, reviews Bridges not Blockades: Transcending University Politics, for the Journal of the International Ombuds Association. (Gayle Maddox and Martha Kalnin Diede edited the collection of personal essays about faculty and administrators in higher education, published by Myers Education Press in 2020.) Farmer finds insights that are very relevant for Ombuds.

IOA Releases Detailed Agenda for 2022 Virtual Conference

For the second year in a row, the International Ombudsman Association will hold its annual conference virtually. IOA's 17th annual meeting will take place April 4 through 6, 2022. Social events will use Gather.town, a virtual world with video features. Registration has been open for a few weeks and now the detailed agenda has been posted.

University of West Georgia Confirms New Ombuds Director

Julia Farmer became the Director of Ombuds Services at UWG in January 2020 after previously serving as the Interim Faculty Ombuds. She succeeds University Ombuds Tahirih Varner. As the full-time director, Farmer serves all faculty, staff, and students (a total population of nearly 20,000), and practices to IOA standards.

Job Posting: University of West Georgia

The public doctoral-granting university in Carrollton, GA is hiring a Director of Ombuds Services. Reporting directly to the University President, the position will lead UWG’s Ombuds Office, practicing to IOA standards. Until earlier this year, Tahirih Varner, CO-OP, had served in the role. Currently, Julia Farmer is the only person in the office and is serving as the Interim Faculty Ombuds.