April 2023
The AERA Ombuds is available to Annual Meeting participants from April 13 through June 2. The ombuds team, which held daily office hours during the Chicago component of the Annual Meeting and is currently available to attendees by appointment, will once again hold scheduled office hours during the virtual component of the meeting, May 4–5.
The ombuds is a neutral, confidential, informal, and independent resource for discussing issues or concerns participants may have about their Annual Meeting experience. These include, but are not limited to, conflicts, unwelcoming or inappropriate behavior, or any violation of professional conduct as outlined in the AERA Code of Ethics.
The ombuds is an important part of AERA’s commitment to provide a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment. All attendees, staff, exhibitors, vendors, and any others at the Annual Meeting who would like to talk through their concerns are encouraged to meet with the ombuds.
During the virtual component, AERA’s two-person ombuds team—Shannon Lynn Burton, Ph.D., university ombudsperson at Michigan State University, and Carol Mershon, Ph.D., professor of politics at University of Virginia—will be available for video or phone appointments, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, Thursday, May 4–Friday, May 5. Those who wish to schedule an appointment with the ombuds can email aeraombuds@gmail.com or call (202) 505-3356.
The ombuds can also be contacted via email or phone through June 2 to discuss an issue that occurred during the place-based or virtual component of the meeting.
The AERA ombuds adhere to the International Ombuds Association’s Standards of Practice. They are a resource provided by AERA for meeting participants but are independent of AERA’s formal reporting structure, and attendees’ communications with the ombuds are confidential.