Workplace Mediation in British Universities

HE/FE Mediation Forum, Durham 23/04/13

Background

• MSc dissertation 3Q 2012• Popularity of Mediation in Universities• Limited UK research into mediation• Survey & Interview work in 18 institutions

Agenda

• Observations

• Conclusions

• Future

Service Launch

Panel Size

Mediations Undertakenby size of mediator pool

Time in the Room

Mediator Background

Service Coverage

Where does mediation sit?

Growth Curve?

Prime Mover?

Driver for Mediation

Key Support

Initial Justification

Judging Success

Impact on climate & culture

Summarising

• HR has a dominant role• Klein aber fein• Success has many shades• Outside influences count• Aversion to formal processes• Iceberg effect• Panel Diversity

Noteworthy

• University Culture• Clusters• Pioneers• Unions• Accountability• Mediation models

That Vision Thing

Mediation Research

• ‘Aspirin and mediation have a lot in common: they are well-known and easily recognized; both have been used for centuries; numerous articles have been published about the two. Both work, but we do not know why’.

Future

• What is the nature of disputes in the university workplace?

• How does the practice of mediation vary across institutions and mediators?

• How can mediation be utilised to promote systemic change in universities?