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Ombudsing in Higher Education: A Contingent Model for Mediation in University Dispute Resolution Processes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2013

Carlos-María Alcover
Carlos-María Alcover*
Affiliation:
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Spain)
*
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Carlos María Alcover, University Ombudsman of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. Departamento de Psicología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Paseo de los Artilleros s/n, 28032, Madrid (Spain). Phone: +34-914887754. E-mail: carlosmaria.alcover@urjc.es
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Abstract

University and academia are, due to its nature, its structure and its inside relationships, a perfect breeding ground for the conflicts, disputes, problems, and grievances. In these settings, mediation is one of the dispute resolution mechanisms most used by University Ombudsperson. However, the special characteristics of university contexts make it necessary to consider and evaluate elements that may have a bearing on the effectiveness of the process and outcomes of the mediation. In this paper a model of contingent intervention in mediation processes articulated in three dimensions is put forward: a) level of balance or symmetry of power between the parties involved; b) the foreseeable temporal perspective of the relationship between them; and c) level of formalization of the mediation process. Based on the interaction between the three dimensions, a series of proposals will be formulated in order to design different strategies of intervention for mediation processes in university settings. Practical implications of this contingent model and future research on this topic are discussed.

Debido a su naturaleza, a su estructura y a las relaciones que se establecen en ellos los contextos universitarios son lugares donde surgen con frecuencia desacuerdos, problemas, conflictos y enfrentamientos. La mediación es una de las herramientas más utilizadas por los Defensores Universitarios para resolverlos. Sin embargo, las características propias de estos contextos obligan a considerar y evaluar ciertos elementos que pueden influir sobre la eficacia de los procesos y los resultados de la mediación. En este artículo se presenta un modelo contingente de mediación articulado en torno a tres dimensiones: a) nivel de simetría de poder entre las partes implicadas; b) perspectiva temporal de las relaciones entre ellas; y c) nivel de formalización del proceso de mediación. A partir de la interacción de las tres dimensiones se formula una serie de estrategias de intervención en procesos de mediación en contextos universitarios, y se discuten las implicaciones prácticas del modelo así como las futuras líneas de investigación en este ámbito.

Keywords

mediationuniversity ombudsmanconflict resolutionhigher educationmediacióndefensor universitarioresolución de conflictoseducación superior
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 12 , Issue 1 , May 2009 , pp. 275 - 287
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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