This article provides a breakdown of the experiences from the participants of the second event of the Cross-Pollinating Perspectives project; the Mediate Conference exploring the Power of Words. The purpose of this project is to allow members of the Young Academy to learn more about different fields of delivery with a view to both engaging with new material but also broadening critical thought in terms of how we work with others.
As considered through our pilot event, there was a recognition that we often validate our thoughts and experiences with those who have a similar perspective. This view cuts across demographic characteristics, yet it also relates to our professional circles where we exist within specific sectors; public, private, academic, and societal.
At the heart of the YAS is a drive to build consensus around solutions for societal challenges. We are constantly looking to explore how we adopt best practice from a range of views. This project cuts across both the Equity and Exchange Grand Challenges, as we seek to share knowledge and actively reach out to individuals who are often left behind in conversations which don’t directly relate to their experiences.
As with our first event at the Scotonomics festival, we have used the Gibbs reflective cycle with a view to allowing a consistent means of comparison across members. We are already looking forward to our next events which will consider both the fields of anatomy and energy markets.
Ourania Varsou
Description
The Mediate 2024 Conference took place in December. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend in person, and no video recordings were available, which meant I had to rely on the slides provided for my reflections. While these slides offered useful insights, they likely did not capture the full depth of discussions from the event.
One of the key points that resonated with me was how mediation extends beyond legal disputes and into various sectors, including higher education (HE) and anatomy-related ethical concerns. This was particularly relevant as it demonstrated how mediation could be applied to student complaints, staff disputes, and ethical dilemmas in research and education. More specifically, in the field of human anatomy, mediation could be useful in addressing ethical concerns around body donation, tissue retention, and the handling of human remains in scientific research.
Feelings and Thoughts
Not being physically present at the event was frustrating, as I missed out on discussions, Q&A sessions, and interactive elements that could have enhanced my understanding of the subject matter. However, despite these limitations, I found myself engaged by the potential applications of mediation in ethically sensitive and potentially emotionally charged situations in HE.
While reviewing the slides, I reflected on how mediation could play a critical role in conflicts involving body donation programmes, disputes in research ethics, and institutional responses to concerns from affected families and communities. Mediation offers a way to facilitate dialogue, rebuild trust, and support transparent decision-making.
I also considered the relevance of early mediation in HE, particularly in student-staff conflicts, research misconduct cases, and ethical issues in medical education. By intervening at an early stage, mediation could help prevent conflicts from escalating into formal grievances, promoting a fairer and more transparent approach to dispute resolution.
Evaluation
Despite my inability to engage in real-time discussions, the slides provided valuable insights into the principles of mediation, particularly in fostering trust, addressing emotional concerns, and encouraging constructive engagement in conflicts.
However, not having access to live discussions, case studies, or expert perspectives was a limitation. This also meant I was unable to take part in conference discussions, which would have provided greater depth to my understanding.
Analysis
The key themes of early mediation and changing attitudes towards conflict resolution are highly relevant to both HE and human anatomy ethics. Encouraging the use of mediation could help normalise dialogue, foster trust, and create a more transparent and inclusive academic culture. For example:
- Mediation could be applied to student-staff disputes and conflicts related to supervision or assessment before they escalate into formal proceedings.
- Research teams sometimes experience conflicts over authorship. Mediation could help manage these issues constructively, fostering more collaborative and transparent working relationships.
- Historical cases involving human remains in scientific collections, where provenance is uncertain or consent was not obtained, highlight the importance of mediation in facilitating discussions between institutions, communities, and ethical review bodies.
Conclusions
Mediation is not simply a means of resolving disputes; it is a mechanism for facilitating dialogue, fostering trust, and promoting accountability. In HE, mediation could enhance student-staff or staff-staff relations, provide alternatives to formal grievance procedures, and support fairer resolutions. In anatomy, mediation could be an invaluable tool in managing ethical dilemmas, particularly those involving the handling of human remains.
Action Plan
To deepen my understanding and explore mediation further, I will:
- Advocate for early mediation in HE by researching existing university policies and identifying areas where mediation could be introduced as an alternative to formal grievance processes.
- Engage with mediation professionals and ethics committees to understand how mediation is currently being implemented in He settings and identify best practices.
Final Thoughts
This reflection reinforced my belief that mediation is not just a conflict resolution tool; it is an important mechanism for fostering ethical decision-making, transparency, and trust in both HE and anatomy-related fields.
Brian Connolly
Description
The experience centred on attending and presenting at the Scottish Mediation Conference at V&A Dundee, themed “The Power of Words.” The day featured diverse sessions, beginning with presentations from young peer mediators from Scottish schools, followed by a keynote from Ber Barry-Murray discussing Ireland’s mediation journey. The morning included a workshop on conflict triggers led by Anne Dick and Professor Naomi Head, while I co-presented the Young Academy of Scotland’s Cross-Pollinating Perspectives project with Vitalii Diakov. The afternoon featured Michael Lang’s virtual masterclass on reflective practice and concluded with a workshop on mediation and neurodiversity by Fiona Gray and Cameron Cross.
Feelings and Thoughts
I found myself particularly moved by the young mediators’ presentations. Their sophisticated understanding of creating “quiet spaces” for peer discussion demonstrated how mediation principles can be effectively applied at any age. During our presentation of the Cross-Pollinating Perspectives project, I felt energised by the audience’s engagement and their immediate recognition of parallels with mediation practice. The neurodiversity workshop resonated personally, as I could relate to the discussions through my own experiences with dyslexia and the workplace adaptations I’ve developed.
Evaluation
The conference’s strength lay in its diverse range of perspectives and expertise. The Irish case study presented by Ber Barry-Murray provided concrete evidence of how systematic change can be achieved, with impressive statistics showing mediation’s impact across various sectors. The workshop on conflict triggers effectively combined academic insights with practical mediation experience. Our Cross-Pollinating Perspectives presentation successfully demonstrated the value of interdisciplinary dialogue, while Michael Lang’s virtual session offered profound insights into reflective practice. I found the content accessible despite not being active in this field of delivery. I also enjoyed revisiting the content through the slide pack shared although I was disappointed not to be able to watch back the sessions.
Analysis
Throughout the day, several interconnected themes emerged that merit deeper consideration. The concept of creating safe spaces for dialogue appeared consistently – from school playgrounds to professional settings. This connected strongly with our work on breaking down professional silos through the Cross-Pollinating Perspectives project. The neurodiversity session highlighted how environmental adaptations and communication flexibility often benefit all participants, not just those who are neurodivergent. Michael Lang’s emphasis on continuous learning and humility aligned perfectly with our project’s goals of fostering genuine interdisciplinary understanding. I hope to take some time to reflect on the recordings for the sessions I was unable to attend in person.
Conclusions
The conference reinforced my belief that the skills central to effective mediation – active listening, perspective-taking, and careful attention to language – are equally vital for cross-sector collaboration. The structured reflection methods we’ve developed through the Cross-Pollinating Perspectives project could be valuable tools for exploring the intersection of public, private, academic and social sectors. Most significantly, I’ve concluded that success in both mediation and innovation partnerships hinges not on technical solutions but on human understanding and effective communication across professional boundaries.
Action Plan
Moving forward I plan to better integrate some of the structured reflection methods more deeply in my work facilitating partnerships at Scottish Enterprise. There are opportunities to develop specific frameworks for translating between different professional languages, applying insights from mediation practice. These techniques will also prove invaluable as part of the wider Cross Pollinating Perspectives project. Finally I feel there is a need to ensure these events are better led by the respective team members rather than me taking on a leadership role. I feel it is important to ensure that my vision for the project is one of several considered in how these are delivered.
Vitalii Diakov
Description of the experience
The Scottish Mediation ‘Mediate 2024’ Conference provided an excellent opportunity to introduce my colleagues to the mediation sector and to present the Young Academy of Scotland’s Cross-Pollinating Perspectives project. It was a privilege to offer a concise introduction to peaceful conflict resolution and share relevant professional terminology.
Feelings and Thoughts
My primary focus was on preparing for the visit and guiding my colleagues throughout the conference. Presenting the project was both exciting, as we shared our collaborative experiences, and rewarding, as we contributed meaningfully to the event. I firmly believe reflection is crucial for personal growth, and as a mediator, we use it to enhance our skills and share knowledge. Michael Lang’s insightful talk on reflective practice, and particularly his steps for “Learning Ceaselessly” through diversification of knowledge and skill acquisition, was truly inspiring.
Evaluation
Our group attended thought-provoking talks and sessions covering topics such as the development of mediation in Ireland, reflective practice, and presentations from young mediators. These sessions highlighted the vital role of dialogue and discussion in finding collaborative solutions to societal issues. We recognized how mediation tools can facilitate these discussions across various professional fields and communities.
Analysis
The conference’s hybrid format, while intended to allow for both in-person participation and online access to recordings, faced some limitations. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we were unable to access the session recordings. However, rather than excluding members from the discussion, this situation underscored the importance of providing alternative learning experiences and support for knowledge exchange. The informal networking sessions during the day provided valuable opportunities to engage with speakers and deepen our understanding of the topics. Presenting the Cross-Pollinating Perspectives project fostered connections with the audience and contributed to the conference by sharing our personal backgrounds, experiences, and learning outcomes from previous events.
Conclusions
Attending the talks and practical workshops as a group enriched our experience through case studies and discussions, which echoed our previous engagement at Scotonomics and our identified need to actively contribute to such dialogues. A particularly insightful discussion on neurodiversity highlighted the importance of considering effective communication and presentation strategies that cater to both neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals within our group and beyond.
Action Plan
To maximise the impact of Mediate 2024, I will work within the next month to create a resource sharing key mediation insights and their application across diverse fields. In terms of our group work, we have revealed some of the sensitive topics in the areas of our professional work which might require mediation skills to foster collaborative discussion and bridge potential divides within the academic field and wider community.
Ben Kirley
Description of the experience
I was interested to attend the Scottish Mediation Conference at V&A Dundee. Knowing little about the Mediation sector’s reach and expertise, I attended with an open mind and found the variety of sessions educational and informative.
The morning’s keynote address by Ber Barry-Murray was an interesting example of how the sector has evolved from a national perspective in Ireland. In her former position Ber Barry-Murray had played a key role in building recognition and capacity of mediation in various forms. It was clear that along the road there were some significant milestones and collective “awakenings” to spur a new focus and recognition of the benefits of mediation, but that this hasn’t always been the case.
The lecture after lunch by Michael Lang’s virtual masterclass on reflective practice was engaging and genuinely thought provoking delivery style. The later workshop on neurodiversity by Fiona Gray and Cameron Cross shone a light on the subtleties that may be missed, and that if it is to be successful, the work of mediators absolutely has to reflect. The case study which was outlined, about alleged workplace bullying, was particularly emotive and instructive in this regard.
Feelings and Thoughts
I appreciated how my YAS colleagues had prepared for the session and in particular how Vitallii took it upon himself to share his experiences and perspectives to contextualise the conference for my benefit, as an industry “outsider”. Vitalii’s career experience, with some of the challenges of legal processes, emphasised to me the benefits of mediation. I was also impressed by Brian’s evident passion to the Cross-Pollinating Perspectives project, during the project presentation the similarities with mediation clearly resonated with the audience.
Although I had little prior knowledge or experience of mediation, I left feeling well informed, enlightened and optimistic about the field.
Evaluation
The session on family conflict brought home the importance of mediators staying above the fray and impartial.
I reflected upon leaving that if it was easier to “monetise” mediation, society’s capitalist structures could operate very differently – less ruthless competition, more co-optimal collaboration.
Above all I was left with a sense of the huge potential benefit of mediation (as opposed to more “adversarial” means of dispute resolution) to bring potential benefits to individuals, families, society at large, and even between large organisations and governments.
Analysis
Throughout the day, several interconnected themes emerged that merit deeper consideration.
I was struck by the openness to new perspectives. This is not prevalent across all sectors, as the Cross Pollinating Perspective project is seeking to address this.
It was clear that suitable adaptations, such as incorporating considerations of neurodiversity, or ensuring a safe space, are essential if the practice is to continue to thrive.
Michael Lang’s session emphasised the importance of both humility and recognising one’s own strengths humbly but confidently. The balancing of this tension, to avoid the extremes on this continuum, is worth keeping in mind.
Conclusions
As my colleagues also note in their reflections, the skills and values of mediation are similar to the Cross Pollinating Perspectives project. In that sense, this event, as my first on the project, was ideal. It allowed a one-day “deep dive” into a new sector (from my own perspective) which as its core aim seeks to bridge divides. The open, curious, reflective and empathetic approach was refreshing.
I hope the sector continues to develop and offer a more sustainable, positive solution pathway for stakeholders across society in years to come. I would hope to transfer some of the behaviours and philosophies espoused by the mediation sector in my own day to day work, albeit within a commercial delivery setting.
Action Plan
I appreciate the need to incorporate different disciplines and perspectives in my work on cross-sector projects in my role (for example a project investigating optimal HGV fleet transport and grid planning opportunities). Whilst this is not mediation as such, it will be beneficial to try to incorporate its transferable key components, such as a listening approach, non-judgmental engagement and consideration of different perspectives to reach a balanced outcome.
Additionally, in my role as a line manager for a small team, I understand the benefits of “teasing out” the issues and concerns, rather than directing or encouraging conversation to converge on a pre-defined outcome.
