Organizational Ombuds offices are increasingly shaped by a range of structural and operational models that reflect shifting institutional needs, resource constraints, legal environments, and cultural contexts. From traditional in-house roles to embedded, collateral, outsourced, hybrid, regional, and shared-service approaches, the model through which organizational ombuds services are delivered carries significant implications for independence, accessibility, credibility, and ethical practice.

This special issue seeks to explore the evolving landscape of ombuds models and their impact on the theory and practice of the profession. We invite submissions that critically examine how different structural arrangements shape the work of ombuds and influence organizational trust, conflict engagement, and systems change.

We welcome manuscripts that address topics such as:

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Karoline Trovato (she/her) as its first-ever Student Editor. Karoline, a fourth-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Maryland, brings a unique blend of academic excellence, editorial experience, and ombuds practice to the role. She currently serves as the graduate assistant for the UMD Faculty and Staff Ombuds Office, where she has contributed to training, outreach, and research efforts recently co-authoring a published article in JIOA on cultural humility in ombuds practice.

As Student Editor, Karoline will support editorial processes, contribute to the accessibility and visibility of the journal, and lead outreach efforts to engage graduate students and early-career scholars across disciplines. Her commitment to social justice, cultural awareness, and scholarly rigor exemplifies the values at the heart of the journal and the broader ombuds profession.

Karoline will join the JIOA Editorial Board under the leadership of Shannon Lynn Burton, Ph.D., Senior Editor. She will collaborate closely with Associate Editors Hector Escalante-Meza, Hans Kohler, and Julie Farmer, as well as Sarah Ghazal, Production Assistant.

In celebration of Ombuds Day 2025, the Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) invites submissions for a special creative issue titled “Expressions of Ombuds in a Changing World” exploring the art and humanity of ombuds practice. This issue seeks to highlight the nuanced, deeply personal, and often untold dimensions of ombuds work through creative expression.

We welcome contributions in a variety of forms, including but not limited to:

• Poetry – reflections on neutrality, justice, and the complexities of conflict
• Short Fiction – narratives capturing the human experience of navigating disputes
• Personal Essays – stories of resilience, transformation, or the unseen impact of Ombuds work
• Visual Art – illustrations, photography, or mixed media exploring the Ombuds perspective
• Other Creative Works – unconventional expressions that illuminate the role and philosophy of Ombuds

Submission Guidelines:

• Written pieces should not exceed 3,000 words; poetry submissions may include up to five poems.
• Visual art should be submitted in high-resolution format (JPEG or PNG).
• All submissions must be original, unpublished works.

Submission Deadline: July 15, 2025

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) is seeking a Student Editor to join its Editorial Board. This is an excellent opportunity for a graduate student interested in ombuds practice, conflict resolution, and academic publishing to engage with emerging scholarship and support the journal’s mission.

This is a volunteer position requiring a commitment of approximately 5-10 hours per month. The Student Editor will work closely with the Editor and Editorial Board to assist with editorial tasks, student outreach, and engagement while gaining valuable experience in scholarly publishing.

Key Responsibilities

• Editorial Support
• Assist in copyediting and proofreading articles to ensure clarity, consistency, and adherence to JIOA’s editorial standards.
• Support efforts to enhance accessibility and readability of published content.
• Student Engagement & Outreach
• Develop strategies to increase student awareness of JIOA and encourage student submissions.
• Conduct outreach to graduate students and academic programs in fields related to ombuds practice, conflict resolution, higher education, law, public administration, and organizational behavior.
• Identify opportunities for JIOA to engage with student organizations, academic conferences, and research groups.
• Journal Visibility & Promotion
• Assist in promoting new issues and articles through social media, academic networks, and student-oriented platforms.
• Work with the Editorial Board to explore initiatives that encourage early-career scholars and students to contribute to JIOA.
• Help develop informational materials (e.g., blog posts, social media content, flyers) to increase the journal’s reach.

Qualifications

• Current graduate student (Master’s or Ph.D/JD) in a field related to ombuds practice, conflict resolution, law, higher education, public administration, or organizational studies.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Interest in scholarly publishing and academic research, in particular in the field of organizational ombuds.
• Ability to engage with students and faculty in academic programs relevant to ombuds practice.
• Experience with student outreach, social media, or academic engagement is a plus but not required.

Benefits

• Gain hands-on experience in academic publishing and journal operations.
• Contribute to advancing ombuds scholarship and engaging students in the field.
• Connect with ombuds professionals and scholars worldwide.
• Enhance academic credentials and develop outreach and editorial skills.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following:

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) is excited to announce the launch of its inaugural Ombuds Conflict to Composition Writing Club, set to begin in April 2025. This innovative program is designed to support ombuds practitioners and aspiring writers in transforming their experiences and insights into impactful publications.

The Ombuds Writing Club will provide participants with a collaborative and supportive virtual environment where they can sharpen their writing skills, receive feedback on drafts, and learn how to navigate the publishing process. Whether you are an ombuds professional eager to share your knowledge or a new writer seeking guidance, this program is tailored to help participants succeed.

Program Highlights

• Bi-Monthly Virtual Meetings: Interactive sessions featuring writing workshops, peer feedback, and guest speakers.
• Asynchronous Support: Access to online resources and ongoing discussions through a dedicated communication platform.
• Expert-Led Workshops: Guidance on topics like turning practice into publishable content, responding to reviewer feedback, and writing for diverse audiences.
• Peer Accountability Groups: Small groups to support goal-setting, draft development, and consistent progress.
• Celebrating Success: Opportunities to showcase published works and milestones.

Who Should Join?

The Ombuds Writing Club is open to ombuds practitioners, researchers, and professionals in related fields who want to:

JIOA – Special Issue Announcement

Topic: Power, Politics, and Polarization

Submission Deadline: May 1^st, 2025

Organizational Ombuds, with their emphasis on conflict resolution, ethics, and systems, play a pivotal role in addressing challenges arising from power dynamics, political tensions, and societal polarization. In an era marked by the proliferation of misinformation, the erosion of trust in institutions, and the amplification of diverse voices, the ombuds profession stands at the forefront of navigating complex ethical and social issues.

This special issue aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between the ombuds field and the broader landscape of power, politics, and polarization. We invite submissions that critically examine topics such as:

JIOA – Special Issue Announcement

Topic: Power, Politics, and Polarization

Submission Deadline: May 1^st, 2025

Organizational Ombuds, with their emphasis on conflict resolution, ethics, and systems, play a pivotal role in addressing challenges arising from power dynamics, political tensions, and societal polarization. In an era marked by the proliferation of misinformation, the erosion of trust in institutions, and the amplification of diverse voices, the ombuds profession stands at the forefront of navigating complex ethical and social issues.

This special issue aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between the ombuds field and the broader landscape of power, politics, and polarization. We invite submissions that critically examine topics such as:

By Ellen Miller, IOA Executive Director

The Ombuds Community has a variety of channels within IOA and outside of IOA to publish content about the profession and field:  

1.  Within IOA: 

By Shannon Burton,

Dear Colleagues,

This past year, the Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) placed two calls for papers in special issues. The editorial board wanted to send out a reminder about these special issues along with their end dates.

By Shannon Lynn Burton, Ph.D.,
University Ombudsperson, Michigan State University

Dear IOA Colleagues,

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) has been busy this year!  Please visit our website if you have not done so recently.  There are new articles and book reviews posted. 

The Journal for the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) has an opening for an Associate Editor! Associate Editors work directly with authors throughout the revision process. JIOA believes in a highly constructive revision process. Associate Editors are directly responsible for providing editorial support to authors to achieve that goal. Specific responsibilities of Associate Editors include:

• Serve at the first point of contact for authors during the revision process
• Provide feedback to authors as necessary as they revise drafts of their manuscript
• Determine when a revised manuscript is ready for final approval from the Editor
• Make minor editorial decisions and request the opinion of the Editor for larger ones
• Solicit manuscripts from potential authors
• Assist with JIOA special projects
• Market the Journal via email and social media platforms
• Attend Editorial Board meetings

The ideal Associate Editor will have excellent communication skills; tact and discretion; familiarity with academic research, writing, and conventions; digital fluency; the ability to multitask and meet deadlines; a highly cooperative spirit; and respect for academic integrity. Three years of experience within the Ombuds field is preferred.

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association

Special Issue Announcement 

By Jennifer Swan and Shannon Burton
JIOA Special Issue Editors

Dear Colleagues,

The events of the past two years have brought issues of Social Justice front and center in the United States. Visitors bring concerns related to the complex issues of identity, marginalization, and inclusion impacting their lives in both the workplace and in the classroom. Shepherding the resulting conflicts generates challenges as ombuds strive to stay neutral while considering the impact of social justice on conflict management.

What's Changing & How Will It Affect You?

In 2018, IOA began our journey to redefine the way we communicate about our association and about the organizational ombuds profession as a whole. Today, we are proud to announce and share the results of this effort.

Along with formally changing our organization's name to the “International Ombuds Association,”  we are releasing a new logo, revised color palette, and a refined branding style guide. This new branding helps us celebrate the growth and evolution of our organization and our profession. It reflects a modern interpretation of our core values and traditions while incorporating elements of our 2021-2024 Strategic Direction.

Thank You for Your Input

During this process, member input has driven the overall direction and design of this new modern look. Your responses to the member-driven 2020 Branding Survey, your comments and input on the revisions to IOA's Bylaws & Articles of Incorporation, as well as your feedback on the 2021 logo design concepts have helped IOA leadership to better understand what you think IOA's brand should convey and what imagery resonates most with you. 

Editor of the Journal of the International Ombudsman Association (JIOA)
University Ombudsperson - Michigan State University

Dear Colleagues and Friends of the JIOA,

The Journal for the International Ombudsman Association is seeking authors for media and book reviews! 

Editor of the Journal of the International Ombudsman Association (JIOA)
University Ombudsperson - Michigan State University

With the publication of Part I of the Journal for the International Ombudsman Association’s (JIOA) Special Issue on Sexual Harassment and Discrimination, the JIOA is looking at the potential for future special issues.  As part of this initiative, we are placing a call for guest editors.

Themes for which the JIOA is searching for guest editors:

By Shereen Bingham
Professor Emeritus and former Ombuds, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Have you ever observed an individual enter an Ombuds office–perhaps your own–exuding feelings such as uncertainty, anxiety, fear, or despair? And then watched them take leave of that office some 90 minutes later radiating a degree of comfort, hope, or resolve? I have. Countless Ombuds colleagues have described similar experiences with visitors. But how does it happen? What exactly does Ombuds work entail?

Contrary to what our T-shirts may claim, we all know Ombuds are not really superheroes with supernatural powers. But Ombuds do have an air of mystery about them. How could it be otherwise?  The IOA Standards of Practice guide Ombuds to operate confidentially, independently, and off-the-record. Details of Ombuds’ methods and interactions are inherently private and hidden from view. 

By Shannon Burton
JIOA Editor

Dear IOA Colleagues,

The Journal of the International Ombudsman Association (JIOA) has been busy these past few months!  Please visit our website if you have not done so recently.  There are new articles and book reviews posted.  These include:

By Shannon Burton
University Ombudsperson, Michigan State University
JIOA Editor

Do you have broad interest in ombuds work?

Do you want to help the profession advance intellectually and pragmatically?

If so, then please consider applying to serve as a Peer Reviewer for the Journal of the International Ombudsman Association (JIOA). The Journal of the International Ombudsman Association (JIOA) is a peer-reviewed online journal for scholarly articles and information relevant to the ombuds 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. Serving as a Peer Reviewer for the JIOA is a great way to learn more about academic writing and research and gain new insights into the field as well.

Position Description: 

The journal’s reviewers use their expertise to comment and provide feedback on manuscripts submitted to the JIOA. Reviewers conduct blind reviews and are expected to complete them within eight weeks. As part of the review process, reviewers will recommend the manuscripts are accepted with no revisions, accepted with revisions (minor or major), or rejected.

By Shannon Lynn Burton, Ph.D., University Ombudsperson, Michigan State University
Editor, Journal of the International Ombudsman Association

Dear Colleagues,

A lot has been happening with the Journal of the International Ombudsman Association (JIOA) this month! If you have not visited our page lately, please do so soon. There have been three new articles posted in the past two weeks. These are:

1. “The Faculty Ombudsperson: Maintaining Civility and Academic Freedom in Higher Education” by Clara Wajngurt;
2. “Abrasive Conduct in Higher Education and the Ombuds Role” by Hector Escalante; and
3. “Ombuds Interventions in Encouraging Covenantal Research Collaborations: I am with You Always, Now and Beyond the End of Our Study” by Nancy Day, Mary Sue Love, and Gregory K. Stephens.

The JIOA also has some new books available for review.  If you are interested in reviewing one of the following books, please e-mail us at [email protected]. The current available books for review are: