The ADR Research Network has received the following information from Steve Lancken, a Mediator from Negocio Resolutions:

“A job opening for an Executive Assistant (3-4 days per week) LINK here
Short Version: This is an excellent opportunity to join a small mediation firm located in the CBD as an executive assistant to the principal for someone who has a law degree, is studying towards a law degree, or has legal experience. The role offers a rare opportunity to be exposed to and participate in dispute resolution processes."

And

"a Volunteer Intern position for Voluntas – A Volunteer Mediation Pilot Scheme. LINK here
Short version: The Voluntas Mediation Pilot scheme is looking for one or more unpaid interns to administer the scheme. The role involves the administration of Pro Bono Mediation services for the volunteer sector and is a chance to work with some of Australia’s leading mediators, learn about ADR and support social justice."

Please contact Negocio directly if you are interested.

The National Mediation Conference will be held on the Gold Coast from 11-15 September 2016.   They have issued a call for papers on the theme ‘“Thought, Innovation and Creativity: The Next Decade” .  The closing date for proposals is in mid-March.

Here’s a snippet from the conference page elaborating on their theme:

This year our conference theme is: “Thought, Innovation and Creativity: The Next Decade”. We will showcase: what we know and how we know it; think about our thinking; reflect on how we innovate, educate and train practitioners across the wide spectrum from self determination to determinative processes; how we can become more flexible and creatively facilitate processes in response to the diverse needs of our clients to provide a future of best practice in all we do to manage our own and other peoples disputes.

From our friends over at indisputably.org –  video recordings of presentations from a symposium on dispute systems design held  University of St. Thomas Law School in November this year.

http://www.indisputably.org/?p=7829

It’s relatively rare to see  academic work on this very important area of dispute resolution, so it’s well worth a look.

The following job ad has been received by the Network, for those interested in dispute resolution opportunities in Sydney:

"An excellent opportunity to join a small mediation firm located in the CBD as an executive assistant to the principal has arisen for someone who has a law degree, is studying towards a law degree, or has legal experience. The role offers a rare opportunity to be exposed to and participate in dispute resolution processes. You will also enjoy great work/life balance and more. Find out more about the role here."

UNSW Law has announced its postgraduate coursework scholarship for 2016, worth $10,000. It can be used across all of the UNSW Law masters programs, including the Master of Dispute Resolution. For full details, see http://www.law.unsw.edu.au/future-students/postgraduate/scholarships-prizes

Information about a fellowship opportunity open to non-US citizens:

The Weinstein JAMS International Fellowship Program, inaugurated in 2008,
provides opportunities for qualified individuals from outside the United
States to study dispute resolution processes and practices in the U.S. to
assist them in their efforts to advance the resolution of disputes in their
home countries.

The JAMS Foundation will approve Fellowships of up to $20,000 in support of
projects outlined by Fellowship applicants. The Program is intended for
individuals who have demonstrated experience with and commitment to the field
of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and who seek to increase the
availability of dispute resolution education, training and services in their
own countries and beyond.

The Fellowship Program is designed to be flexible and open to innovation, and
applicants are encouraged to be creative in pursuing activities in the U.S.
that will serve to expand the use of ADR in their home countries.

Fellowships may be from one month to four months in duration. While
applicants may propose activities lasting longer than four months, Fellowship
funding is limited to the Fellowship period.

It is anticipated that Fellows will come from countries that do not have an
established culture of using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for cases
in litigation. Part of Fellows’ time in the U.S. will be spent observing how
JAMS administers and resolves such cases.

Depending on the nature of their proposal, Fellows may also participate in
university-based programs or be affiliated with other organizations or
institutions that may help to advance their interests and goals. Such
affiliations can take many forms, from formal enrollment in graduate degree
programs to more informal arrangements providing varying degrees of access
and support.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to research and begin to establish such
affiliations prior to or concurrent with their Fellowship application. While
the JAMS Foundation makes every effort to facilitate introductions where
possible, it is Applicant’s responsibility to research available
opportunities and to establish affiliations with the organizations or
institutions with which they intend to work or study.

More details are available at  http://www.jamsadr.com/weinstein-fellowship/

LEADR & IAMA have announced their annual conference offering on their website – http://www.leadriama.org/kon-gres-home

The format is the same as previous years – the conference will move between Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Auckland, Brisbane, Adelaide and Auckland.

7th Asia Pacific Mediation Forum Conference will be held  10-12 February, 2016, in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

The conference theme is – Synergizing Eastern and Western Constructs of Mediation towards Better Understanding
and the conference organisers  have said that its purpose is

to explore the richness of the diverse approaches to mediation, to nurture better cross-cultural understanding and to enhance collaborative dispute resolution processes and settlements in the region.

Early-bird registrations and abstracts are now due on October 31st, 2015.

The full details can be found on the APMF website – www.apmf-jakarta.com

Having myself attended the APMF Conference in Bangkok several years ago, I can certainly attest that the conference is an amazing experience, both intellectually and culturally.  It is well worth attending!

For those in New Zealand – a scholarship opportunity:

FairWay Resolution’s Board has announced the establishment of the $10,000 FairWay Resolution Anne Scragg Scholarship to encourage continuing professional development within the dispute resolution profession. The scholarship package includes a cash contribution of up to $10,000 towards further study/research and will be awarded annually commencing in 2015.

Announcing the scholarship at a function to mark Anne Scragg’s retirement after nearly 30 years’ service to the dispute resolution sector, FairWay Resolution chief executive Greg Pollock said the award aims to continue her legacy to the profession.

…The scholarship is available for anyone working or studying in the dispute resolution
profession, including undergraduate or postgraduate students, new professionals or experienced dispute resolution practitioners. As well as a cash grant to support professional development, the scholarship provides the recipient with the option of working for a 12 week period with FairWay either before or after their course of study or research.

Applications for the 2015 year close on 1 August 2015. Full details about the scholarship criteria are available at www.fairwayresolution.com

The Financial Services Ombudsman is one of the largest  (if not the largest) providers of dispute resolution services in Australia.  It is an independent non-government organisation that is funded by its members, who are financial services providers such as insurance companies, banks, superannuation funds, brokers, and financial advisers.  Their services, which include conciliation, expert appraisal and determination, are free for consumers.

I always recommend these jobs to my students as a way of gaining amazing insight into the dynamics of disputes in a high-volume, structured dispute resolution system.  The FOS are currently advertising for both conciliators and case managers.  See http://fos.org.au/about-us/careers-home/