2023 Call for Presentations

Proposal Window: Tuesday, 7 September – Monday, 17 October 2022

The International Ombuds Association warmly invites you to submit a presentation proposal or speaker suggestion for our 18th Annual Conference, Ombuds as Change Agent? ReEngaging and Transforming Conflict. Our in-person conference is scheduled for 3–5 April 2023 in Seattle, Washington, USA. This call for proposals is for presentations that will be (a) delivered in person at the conference April 3-5 2023 or (b) pre-recorded by the presenter shared with conference attendees outside of the conference.

Learn more about the event, what we are looking for, and the required content for submissions below, and read our article "5 Tips for Submitting a Successful Speaker Proposal for IOA Conference."

Proposals must be submitted by 17 October 2022 at 11:59 PM PT to be considered by the IOA Conference Committee Programming Subcommittee. Presenters will be notified of the committee’s decisions on 15 November 2022. 

Looking to make a suggestion? Check out our suggestions form below.

The window for submissions has closed.

The Planning Committee is currently reviewing the submitted proposals. 

About the Event & Our Attendees

IOA Annual Conferences draw attendees from diverse sectors around the world. Participants and presenters represent professionals in academia, corporations, government, non-profits, healthcare, faith communities, the dispute resolution field, and many other organizations. At #IOA2023, we hope to share ideas, collaborate, and explore new theories, concepts, and practices. 

Learn more about IOA and our members on the IOA Blog.

After the success of last year's conference, which included more than 500 participants, we expect the #IOA2023 event to be the most connected and well-attended event the International Ombuds Association has ever held.

Learn More About Ombuds

What Are We Looking to Present at #IOA2023?

It is IOA's goal to continually improve the content we offer conference attendees. Based on evaluations of past conferences we have developed a list of requested topics and areas of interest for #IOA2023. We are particularly focused on innovative offerings to connect with attendees across the world. We also encourage submissions for short “pop-up” presentations that focus on ombuds’ creative work and wellness or practice tips.

This call for proposals invites you to ReEngage and Transform the ways we connect to one another across political, cultural, and physical boundaries, examining topics such as identity, health, equity, and dispute resolution.

Please be sure to review the list of the required information to prepare your proposal. You are welcome to submit more than one proposal and encourage you to share this call for proposals widely in your networks.

Proposals should use the theme to help attendees consider:

  • How the role of ombuds can be critically reviewed and strengthened,
  • How ombuds can “transform” new frames and methods for reengaging those in conflict, and
  • How ombuds can advance issues of justice and equity without being perceived as partisan.

General topics of interest include:

  • All aspects of conflict engagement and ombuds practice
  • New and/or alternative means of providing ombuds services
  • Maximizing ombuds’ positive impact on organizations
  • Sector-specific constituent issues
  • Ombuds as coaches, facilitators, and trainers working with others within an organization, including legal counsel, human relations, compliance, and risk management officials
  • The ombuds role in preventing and addressing inequity in our organizations
  • Updates on relevant legal and regulatory frameworks
  • The value of CO-OP® certification
  • Welcoming new IOA members and retaining current members

Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated with consideration of the following:

  • Topic will be especially relevant to ombuds and/or applicable to their work
  • Work that furthers the ombuds field may also be of interest
  • We are interested in conference presentations that are applicable to a range of levels of ombuds experience: Emerging (0-5 years of practice and/or knowledge), Established (5-15 years of practice and/or knowledge), and Experienced (over 15 years of practice and/or knowledge
  • How the material will be presented. The preference is for presentations that engage participants and include opportunities for application of theory and concepts.
  • Experience and background of the presenter(s), including connection of the presenter(s) to the topic.
  • Abstracts that are relevant to the conference theme will be given special consideration

Required Information for Your Proposal

Please prepare the information before completing the proposal form.

Primary Contact Information

The Primary Contact you list does not have to be a presenter. However, this contact information will be used for all correspondence/communication related to this proposal.

  • First & Last Name
  • Employer/Affiliation
  • Position/Title
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Mailing Address

Presentation Information

Presentation Format

  • 60-Minute Presentation: Expected to be an in-depth presentation on the topic.
  • 15-Minute Presentation: “Pop-up”. Short presentation related to the practice of ombudsing that raise awareness of an idea, a technique or tool, or a skill.
  • Pre-Recorded Presentation: Although we are planning a “face-to-face” (i.e., “in person”) meeting for #IOA2023, there is also the opportunity to record a 60-minute (maximum) presentation that can be viewed by conference participants at a later date.

Presentation Title

Relevance to IOA Sector(s)

  • Academic Higher Education
  • Academic K-12
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Collateral Ombuds (Holds more than one role at their organization)
  • Contract/Part-Time Ombuds
  • Corporate
  • Construction
  • External Ombuds
  • Faith-Based Organizations
  • Financial Services/Insurance
  • Franchise
  • Government
  • Healthcare
  • Intergovernmental
  • International
  • Legal Service
  • Media
  • Non-Governmental Organizations
  • Non-Profit
  • Professional or Trade Association
  • Utilities/Energy
  • Other Sector

Target audience for presentation (select at least one):

  • Emerging Ombuds (0-3 years of practice and/or knowledge in topical area)
  • Established Ombuds (3-9 years of practice and/or knowledge in topical area)
  • Experienced Ombuds (More than 10 years of practice and/or knowledge in topical area)

CO-OP® Domains: For purposes of recertification approval from Board of Certification for Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioners®, please select which of the CO-OP® Domains you expect this presentation may satisfy.

View the Full List of Domains

Presentation Details:

  • Full Presentation Description (2000 characters limit, approximately 400 words): This can be posted in the form or a PDF file can be uploaded.
  • Brief Description (75 words maximum): This will be used for conference publications (e.g., website).
  • Background: Briefly discuss or justify the importance of the topic.
  • Learning Objectives: State the objectives of the presentation. Identify what participants should have learned after participating in the session. Please phrase the objectives for this presentation so that they complete the sentence "Attendees of this session will..."
  • Outline: Describe what you will present. Consider providing an outline and/or details of the content of the session. This is likely to be the longest part of the presentation description.
  • Presentation Format: Please explain your presentation format and include details about any preparatory work expected of the participants (if applicable): Describe how the content will be presented, e.g., through lecture, discussion, breakout discussions, case studies, etc. Describe any preparatory work that participants should do before coming to the session, e.g., reading a journal article, book chapter, etc.
  • Presenter Experience: Describe the connection of the presenter(s) to this topic and comfort level with presenting the material

Presenter(s) Details

All correspondence/communication will be addressed to the person who logs into their IOA account to submit the proposal. The following information will also be requested for the presenter(s).

  • First & Last Name
  • Employer/Affiliation
  • Position/Title
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Mailing Address
  • Presenter Experience: Describe the connection of the presenter(s) to this topic and comfort level with presenting the material.
  • Presenter Biography: Please provide a brief biography (no more than 100 words) written in the third person to be used in conference publications and read by the room host at the start of the session. Please include your current position and title in the biography.
  • Professional Photo (Headshot)
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Review the Required Speaker Agreement

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Speaker Suggestion

Have a speaker in mind for a future IOA conference or Webinar? Please take the below form to let us know who you would like to hear speak.