Developing Workplace Mediation Through Applied Research

1. Developing Workplace Mediation Through Applied Research Mediators Institute of Ireland Conference 2016 Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

2. Presentation Overview • What is the context for our work at the KIWMRG? • Workplace conflict • Mediation as a DR process • Our raison d'être • How we operate • What is the theory behind how we operate? • How does that look in practice? An insider’s perspective. • TheMII Project as an example • What next for this project and for mediation research in Ireland? Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

3. Framing our Approach Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

4. Managing Workplace Conflict in Ireland • Evidence of an incremental approach to ADR adoptionin workplaces (‘creeping innovation strategy’) • Dramatic decline in collective conflict and a parallel rise of individual conflict • The use of mediators is one of the most important innovations in the management of individual conflict • An increased supply of trained and experienced mediators available to fill conflict management roles (MII) • Mediation was seen to bring positive results for employers and for employees Teague et al. study 2015 Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

5. The Use of Mediation in Ireland Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

6. Our Raison D’être • Evolution and membership • Solid, empirical, issue-driven research will inform practice • Critically informing practice • Research Hub and Centre of Excellence • Our values • Inclusive • Egalitarian • Collaboration • Support & CPD Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

7. How we Work • Community of Practice • Dynamic social structure • Common interest • Spirit of learning & collaboration • Create, capture & diffuse knowledge • Tangible results applicable to practice • Trust, mutual respect, reciprocity & commitment • Cooperative Enquiry Method (see next slide) Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

8. Co-operative Enquiry Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

9. An Insider’s Perspective • Principles underlying our work • Time dedication • Commitment • Responsibility • Constructive criticism • Collaboration and support • Trust among team members • Discussions before any decisions are made Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

10. An Insider’s Perspective • Peer Reviewing Workshop in 2015 • KIWMRG Writing Circle as an opportunity to deliver the message to the world • constructive and valuable feedback • constant support and encouragement • continuous professional development • inspiring environment to start writing academic articles Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, Oksana Kokaylo

11. An Insider’s Perspective • My personal experience of being in the group includes: • Staying informed • Improvement of academic skills • Constant support and inspiration to start writing • Unity within the team • Incredible ‘baking lessons’ from Treasa Kenny • Lovely train trips from Dublin to Maynooth with coffee and books Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, Oksana Kokaylo

12. The MII Project • The Brief • ... what the literature tells us about the competencies/skills/behaviours of effective mediators • ... inform practice, standards and mediator training • Shaping the Agenda 1: Exploring the Competencies, Skills and Behaviours of Workplace Mediators • Shaping the Agenda 2: Implications for Workplace Mediation Training, Standards and Practice in Ireland Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

13. Approaching the MII Project through Co-operative Enquiry • Invitation for participation to those in KIWMRG • Skills building – library, literature review, writing for publication • Shared Dropbox organised in initial agreed folder structure • Sourcingempirical research - academic descriptive literature and “grey” literature • Reflection on approach and reorganisation based on learning • Egalitarianstructure and consensusdecision-making • Shared templatefor review of assigned documents • Initial thematic analysis based on reviews Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

14. Thematic Focus • Mediator Competencies, Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours • Importance of Context • Mediator Style • Personal Qualities of Mediators • Mediator Behaviours • Significance of Outcomes • Range of Possible Outcomes • Qualification Requirements of Mediators • Mediator Training and Accreditation Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

15. Key Themes Emerging – Shaping the Agenda 1 • Large body of international literature • limited in Irish context • Benefits of Mediation are many and varied • high settlement rates • high participant satisfaction • improved relationships • ‘problem solving culture’ in organisations Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

16. Key Themes Emerging – Shaping the Agenda 1 • Mediator style, quality, competencies and skills • no clear delineation, context dependent • Accreditation, standards and training • debate between regulation (standards and consistency) and innovation (creativity and flexibility) • arbitrary selection requirements (e.g. third-level degree) not effective in identifying competent mediators • learn from international best practice Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

17. Key Implications Emerging – Shaping the Agenda 2 • 36 Implications for: • The MII • Practicing mediators • Researchers • Training • Consistency in training standards • On-going reflective practice • Ethical Issues • Emotional Intelligence Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

18. Key Implications Emerging – Shaping the Agenda 2 • Standards • Definitions – mediation, competencies, skills, behaviours • Descriptions of the mediation process • Revisit accreditation standards – criteria • Tracking outcomes of mediation – database of empirical evidence Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

19. Key Implications Emerging – Shaping the Agenda 2 • Practice • Benefits of mediation – promotion • Best practice guidelines • Awareness of different mediation styles • One-size-fits-all approach – limited success • Impact of context • Research Gaps • Lack of empirical research into – • Workplace mediation • Mediation outcomes • Mediator behaviours – help/hinder process Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

20. What Next? • Our hopes for the Reports (Shaping the Agenda) • 36 implications for practice, policy and research • The MII will use this research to inform policy, standards, accreditation etc. • Mediators will us this research to reflect on & adapt practice • Researchers (including us) will pick up the batons highlighted Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

21. What Next? • Research Gaps • Map the landscape of WP mediation in Ireland and profile of mediators (TK) • Empirics on practice from the perspective of all stakeholders • Ingredients of agreements and their sustainability • Link between mediator behaviours and outcomes • Our next project? Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo

22. For queries and/or further information please contact: Dr Deirdre Curran, NUI Galway deirdre.curran@nuigalway.ie Or visit us at: www.kiwmrg.ie Deirdre Curran, James Dillon, OksanaKokaylo