PRR Project

Summary

Within modern paradigms of conflict resolution, the role and the scientific profile of mediators have evolved considerably, breaking with the traditional, narrower model toward a more refined, multi-faceted approach. This change reflects the broader understanding of mediation not only in resolving conflicts but in taking an active role in facilitating empowerment, recognition, and societal change at the individual and collective levels. There has been, then, toward seeing mediation as integral both to social cohesion and to the promotion of a culture of peace. Thus, the job description of a mediator has also been reframed over recent years to go far beyond facilitating a mutually satisfactory resolution to conflicts. To be sure, mediators are still trained on cooperative and transformative dialogue, encouraging the parties to move away from their entrenched positions and interests to a recognition of their common humanity and interdependence. However, nowadays they are supposed to work not only to address immediate substantive issues, but also to unearth and address the underlying causes of conflict. This involves either preserving or, in some cases, rebuilding interpersonal relationships, and in many ways requires profound knowledge of human psychology, communication theories, and conflict dynamics. Ideally, mediators in Portugal should be equipped with an interdisciplinary approach in their profile, as underlined by several studies and official professional bodies. They use knowledge from education, psychology, sociology, law, and communication to identify the complex dynamics in conflicts. This interdisciplinary foundation gives room for mediators to be flexible, first in the strategies that need to be employed in any given specific context and among the needs of the parties, be they in family, educational, organizational, or community settings. Finally, apart from acquiring such technical skills, mediators are supposed to acquire a set of ethical principles that guide his or her practice. The Comissão Portuguesa de Mediação has produced a Code of Ethics for Mediators, upholding the principles of respect for autonomy, confidentiality, impartiality, and promotion of results that are fair and just among others. These ethical guidelines further serve to bring uniformity in practice and bring the element of trust in mediation as a method of conflict resolution and peace promotion.Studies and education on mediation in its several guises are, and have been, integral to the activities of the Research Centre and the Department, from the more traditional conflict resolution to the broader understandings of community, intercultural, school and pedagogical mediation. This tenure will strengthen this field of research and will contribute to further develop quality educational programs for practitioners as mediators. This position includes research, teaching and extension to the society activities related to the themes presented.The candidate should have a doctoral degree in the field of Educational Sciences and training in mediation, together with research experience in formal, informal or non-formal educational contexts; it is expected to demonstrate a high-level of academic competence in doing research, but also experience transferring the research expertise to teaching.