Working Papers from 2024 IOA Practice Survey Illustrate Ombuds Work

The research team behind the International Ombuds Association's biennial practice survey (Jennifer Schneider, Timothy Hedeen, Mary Rowe, and Hector Escalante Meza) has written a series of papers that provide further insights on the work of Organizational Ombuds. Four working look at some self-reported IOA qualitative data from practitioners. Three additional papers by Mary Rowe individually are about visitor stories. All are open for comment:

IOA Publishes Summary of 2024 Practice Survey

The International Ombuds Association has completed its biennial survey of Organizational Ombuds about the qualitative aspects of their work. Respondents around the world provided data for the 2023 calendar year. The research team of Jennifer Schneider, Timothy Hedeen, Mary Rowe, and Hector Escalante Meza compiled a top ten list of interesting findings from the study:

IOA Posts Agenda for 2024 Annual Conference in Indianapolis

The International Ombuds Association has opened registration for its 19th annual conference. Traditionally, the event takes place in April. This year, the event is set for March 18-20, 2024 at the Marriott Indy Place in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. 

IOA has also published details for the conference:

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.

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.

Familiar Faces Return for 2021 Ombuds Series at Kennesaw State

Kennesaw State University's annual Summer Institute for Professional Development will be a virtual event this year. Hosted by the KSU Center for Conflict Management, the Summer Institute again includes an Ombuds workshop with experienced Ombuds professionals delivering three session, which can be purchased separately or as a package:

Kennesaw State to Host Ombuds Professional Development in June

Kennesaw State University will host a two-day Ombuds workshop in Savannah on June 4-4, 2020. Based on feedback from last year's participants, organizers have developed an agenda with experienced Ombuds professionals delivering each session:

IOA Announces Additional Training Programs at 2020 Conference

The International Ombudsman Association has added to its pre-conference training programs before its 2020 annual conference in Portland, Oregon. In addition to the signature training for new Ombuds, "Foundations," and a two-day course for experienced professionals, IOA is will offer five half- or full-day courses on Sunday, March 29, 2020:

IOA Announces Agenda for 2019 Annual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association convenes its 13th annual conference at the Sheraton Hotel New Orleans on April 1-3, 2019. The three-day event will be familiar to anyone who has attended in recent years: the days start with keynote events from Ombuds and others professionals, plenary and concurrent sessions, and opportunities to hear from association leaders. The full agenda with presenter bios is now available and registration is open.

Ombuds Head to Virginia for 2018 IOA Conference

The International Ombudsman Association will hold its 13th annual conference April 23-25, 2018 at the Richmond Marriott in Virginia. The event follows a now familiar format of keynote events from Ombuds and others professionals, plenary and concurrent sessions, and opportunities to hear from association leaders. An agenda for the conference is now available and registration is open.

IOA to Offer ADR Training in New Orleans

The International Ombudsman Association brings three training programs to New Orleans in late January 2018.  The offerings are aimed at novice and experienced Organizational Ombuds, but are open to the public.  Note that enrollment is capped at about 30 for these courses. 

Registration Opens for 2017 Summer Academic Ombuds Meeting

Michigan State University is set to host the 15th Annual Summer Academic Ombuds Meeting June 26-27 at Michigan State University. "The Summer Meeting provides an opportunity for academic ombuds to become better acquainted, to share concerns unique to our professional environments, and to support and learn from each other’s experiences in a relatively-intimate, informal setting." The conference is preceded by a workshop for new academic Ombuds.

IOA Announces Agenda for Minneapolis Conference

The International Ombudsman Association has posted details of its 13th annual conference set for Minneapolis, April 21-23.  While the full agenda is not yet complete, most of the speakers and topics have been announced.  For the first time, conference organizers are trying to give attendees more information by indicating the level of experience and sector (industry) for each session.

Administrative Conference of the United States Publishes First Draft of Federal Ombuds Study

ACUS has released a draft report titled: "A Reappraisal - The Nature and Value of Ombudsmen in Federal Agencies."  Produced by researchers with chiResolutions, the report seeks: 1. to identify federal Ombuds and their practices; 2. to define best practices for federal Ombuds; and 3. to recommend situations where Ombuds would benefit agencies. 

Year-Long Study of U.S. Federal Ombuds Launches

In June 2015, the Administrative Conference of the United States engaged chiResolutions to conduct a year long study of Federal Ombuds programs. In January, after months of designing a mixed-method survey and identifying Federal Ombuds, chiResolutions invited over 175 Federal Ombuds offices to participate in the survey.

IOA Posts Agenda, Opens Registration for 2016 Annual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association's eleventh annual meeting will take place April 10-13 at the Westin Seattle.  Here's an overview of this year's agenda:

Symposium on Dispute System Design to Feature Ombuds

Kennesaw State University Ombudsman Timothy Hedeen will be a speaker at "Dispute System Design: Justice, Accountability and Impact" on Friday, November 13, 2015. (Hedeen is also Professor of Conflict Management at KSU.) Hosted by the University of St. Thomas Law Journal, the symposium will explore how dispute system design applies in a variety of context, including: groundwater management, cyberspace, international investment law, foreign direct investment, community conflict, sports, education and corporations. 

Georgia State University Ombuds Office Announces Annual Symposium Details

The GSU Ombuds Office has posted details of the Conflict Resolution Symposium 2012, which is set for October 12 in Atlanta. The theme of the annual event is "From Chaos to Composure: Creating Positive Change Using Conflict Resolution Skills." Timothy Hedeen, Associate Professor of Conflict Management at Kennesaw State University, will be the keynote speaker.