Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA)
JIOA 2024 Articles
IOA Journal Volume 17, Issue 2 (2024) Special Issue on Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging
Photovoice: Expanding the Modern Ombuds' Toolkit to Provide Impactful Upward Feedback about Systemic Challenges Regarding DEIB
BIRTHE C. REIMERS & ALEXANDRIA JOHNSON
August 2024
Abstract
Ombuds offices provide confidential conflict management spaces. When seeking to foster DEIB and address related conflicts in higher education, methods of engagement for Ombuds offices can require creativity beyond the standard Ombuds toolkit. This article shares the methodology behind, and insights derived from, an intervention aimed at understanding the experiences of Black female academics to provide upward organizational feedback, help minimize attrition, and strengthen recruitment at Georgia State University (GSU). We employed Photovoice, a photo- and dialogue-based participatory action research methodology, to learn about the realities of being a Black female scholar at GSU. Concurrently, we strived to create a community for mentorship and camaraderie by creating a hospitable environment for participants to convene and express themselves creatively. The participants met weekly to discuss their photos documenting their experiences as a starting point for dialogue, reflection, and problem-solving. Together, we developed recommendations for GSU’s leaders regarding opportunities for enhancing DEIB at the university.
Ombudsing with Neurodiversity in Mind
ISRAELA ADAH BRILL-CASS
July 2024
Abstract
The Ombuds office is intended to be supportive and safe for all who enter, and yet what’s often considered an inclusive space, fails to take into consideration those with invisible disabilities and those who are neurodiverse. Without recognition of differences in how others process information and understand the world around them, the Ombuds is missing a critical component for creating a truly inclusive space, and in guiding organizations to do the same. This article addresses the different ways information can be shared and processed to best support neurodiverse visitors and ways to encourage employers to embrace neurodiverse employees. The author presents an actionable framework to achieve both with the idea that what’s contained in this article is by no means exhaustive and should continue to evolve as brain science and understanding of neurodiversity evolves.
Complaint! A Book Review
SHANNON LYNN BURTON
April 2024
Abstract
Sara Ahmed’s Complaint! provides a feminist analysis on how complaints move through systems within organizations. This book review offers insight as to how this analysis might impact the work of ombuds and their philosophies of working with visitors.
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About the JIOA
The Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) is a peer-reviewed online journal for scholarly articles and information relevant to the ombudsman profession. As members of a relatively new profession, we continually strive to understand, define and clarify the role and function of the professional organizational ombuds.
The JIOA will help foster recognition that what we do for our agencies, corporations, colleges, and universities is worthy of study. While we must vigorously protect the confidentiality of our interactions, we can still study and be studied to understand what we do and how we do it; what works well and what doesn't work; what our options are; how social, technical and legal changes may impact us; what the profile and career development of ombudsman professionals might be, and other matters of interest.
The JIOA can facilitate a greater interest in ombudsing, enhance our professional standing, and serve to give us a better understanding of our dynamic roles and the impact on our institutions and agencies. The Journal also will allow IOA members, other ombuds, and other professionals to reach out to their colleagues with their ideas, research findings, theories, and recommendations for best practices and to engage in ongoing discussions of critical issues.
Learn more about the JIOA and the manuscript submission process.
If you have any questions about the JIOA please contact the co-editors via email at [email protected].
- Shannon Lynn Burton, Michigan State University
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