March 2022
AERA will continue its Ombuds Program as part of the 2022 Annual Meeting. The ombuds is a neutral, confidential, informal, and independent resource made available to hear persons’ concerns and assist them by identifying options and resources to address conflicts or issues, including harassment, discrimination, or any violation of professional conduct as set forth in the AERA Code of Ethics and Policy on Harassment. Launched in 2019, the Ombuds Program is an important part of AERA’s commitment to provide a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment.
AERA’s ombuds resource is a two-person team available to all attendees, staff, exhibitors, vendors, and any others at the Annual Meeting, whether they are place-based in San Diego or on the virtual platform. Shannon Lynn Burton, Ph.D., and Carol Mershon, Ph.D., will once again serve as the co-ombuds for the Annual Meeting. Burton is a university ombudsperson at Michigan State University and Mershon is a professor in politics at the University of Virginia.
The ombuds will be available during the 2022 Annual Meeting for in-person, video, or phone appointments April 21–26 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT. Those wishing to schedule an appointment can email aeraombuds@gmail.com or call (202) 505-3356. The ombuds will also be available via email or phone after the meeting concludes to discuss an issue that occurred during 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 they are independent of AERA’s formal reporting structure, and attendees’ communications with the ombuds are confidential.