Insights from a Classroom Conversation on Defining Mediation A definition can be a doorway or a dead end. When we ask students training to become mediators to choose the definition of mediation they most align with, we’re not just testing their understanding of theory. We’re inviting them to reflect on the values, roles, and responsibilities […]
What Do Students Think Mediation Is? Read More »
This blog post is based on a presentation I gave at the Australian Dispute Centre conference in Sydney in May this year. Navigating a Sea of Conflict Put your hand up if: You can swim. You’ve ever been caught in a rip. You’ve ever been scuba diving. You can navigate underwater. You’ve ever been night
We often talk about the importance of reflective practice in conflict work—but sometimes we are not clear about why it is so beneficial, what it actually looks like in action, and why is it sometimes so hard to do? In recent Conflict Leadership Program sessions, a range of experienced and emerging practitioners gathered to share
By Dr Samantha Hardy Inspired by Jennifer L. Schulz (2023). Mediator Liability 23 Years Later: The “Three C’s” of Case Law, Codes, & Custom. Ottawa Law Review / Revue de droit d’Ottawa, 55(1):151–186. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7202/1112508ar A Quiet Assumption For many of us working in the mediation field, there’s a quiet assumption we rarely question:
Are Mediators Ever Liable? Rethinking Accountability in Our Practice Read More »
Imagine walking into a workplace where people feel anxious, silenced, or wary of one another. Collaboration slows. Creativity wanes. Absenteeism creeps up. Resignations start to pile in. What you’re witnessing isn’t just poor culture—it’s a breach of psychosocial safety. For leaders navigating an increasingly complex and people-focused workplace, this concept has never been more important.
Why Good Conflict Management Is Essential for Psychosocial Safety Read More »
Most mediators begin their journey solo — managing the process, reading the room, responding to shifting dynamics, and carrying the emotional load of conflict all on their own. But what happens when two mediators share that space? Co-mediation is a powerful alternative model where two practitioners work together to facilitate a mediation process. It’s more
Co-Mediation: A Reflective Guide to Working Together in Conflict Resolution Read More »
The Conflict Management Academy offers regular Business Brainstorming Sessions as an accompaniment to our Beyond the Table course. These sessions are facilitated by experienced mediator and successful business owner Megan Lewis. Here are some of the key insights and tips shared in the last session. Building a successful mediation practice takes more than just excellent
Growing a Mediation Practice: Practical Insights from the Field Read More »
By Samantha Hardy and Claire Holland Mediators play a crucial role in helping parties resolve disputes, but can they actually provide advice? The answer is more nuanced than it may initially appear. In Australia, mediation is predominantly a facilitative process, meaning mediators do not make decisions for the parties. However, there are circumstances where a
Can a Mediator Provide Advice? Understanding the Boundaries in Australia Read More »
In one of our recent masterclasses at The Conflict Management Academy, we discussed some of our recent learning from Dr Emily Skinner and Professor Elizabeth Stokoe, and workshopped improved ways to describe what we do. Here’s a summary of what we came up with. Thanks to participants (Debra Farrelly, Deb Black, Peter Hanson, Nurit Zubery,
How We Describe What We Do: A Guide for Mediators Read More »
Recently, we had the privilege of hosting Professor Elizabeth Stokoe for a webinar on her research into how intake staff at UK mediation centres communicate with callers seeking information. As a psychologist specializing in conversation analysis, Professor Stokoe examines real interactions rather than those happening in artificial experimental settings. Her work provides valuable insights for
The Subtle Art of Impartiality: Lessons from Conversation Analysis Read More »