I wrote this piece for Strathclyde Mediation Clinic after a series of conversations with new and learner mediators. Some surprised me with their passivity in the face of parties' lack of knowledge…
One of the positive aspects of the enforced changes brought about by lockdown is that it enables – or compels – us to try new things.
So far, I’ve learned how to create and have issued 13 podcasts,…
"Racially discriminatory behavior may be reduced more effectively when racial issues are made salient rather than ignored or obscured." (1)
This week I've been thinking about white privilege. Ok, my…
Ten weeks ago, I had barely heard of Zoom. At that time, I was fairly sceptical about online mediation in the kind of cases I do. It could never substitute for face to face meetings with their…
I was privileged recently to give opening remarks at a meeting of mediators in the International Academy of Mediators. The remarks were a reflection on the times we as mediators are living in. I…
'He who would do good to another must do it in Minute Particulars' (William Blake, Jerusalem)
The coronavirus pandemic deals its cards very unevenly. Some individuals get it lightly, if at all, and…
“The ground is so wet; it wasn’t like this in the past. We can’t get started on this year’s soil preparation.”
In a recent mediation involving farmers, this was the response to my early inquiry about…
(This blog is adapted from a longer version published by Prof John Lande as part of Theories of Change for the Dispute Resolution Movement: Actionable Ideas to Revitalize Our Movement. The Theory of…
The start of a new decade offers a great opportunity to reflect and plan. There is a growing consensus that the 2020s will be crucial in transforming the way we live and work if we are to have any…
Recently, I had the privilege of facilitating a session at Scotland’s Citizens Assembly at which politicians from four political parties took the opportunity to discuss with the Assembly members (…
