Whether it is tensions over authorship, difficulty with a PI or mentor, or clashes with colleagues, you’ll likely experience some conflict during your time as a postdoctoral fellow. However, these experiences don’t have to leave us feeling disempowered. In “Cultivating Conflict Courage” the Harvard Ombuds Office will lead a one-hour training to explore basic conflict management theories and strategies. You will have an opportunity to reflect on your own conflict styles and practice new approaches that will empower you to engage with conflict for more productive outcomes in your relationships and careers.

Training Objectives:

• Understand basic conflict management theories to engage with conflict more effectively.
• Reflect on your own conflict styles and explore new approaches.
• Practice conflict management strategies.

Presenter Bios:

• Harvard Ombuds Adam Barak Kleinberger was appointed in December 2021. Prior to arriving at Harvard, Adam served as an ombuds at Boston University and Cornell University. He is a Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner® (CO-OP) and follows the International Ombuds Association’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Adam served in various roles at the Consensus Building Institute, the City University of New York and as a mediator in Massachusetts’ district courts. Adam’s research and training has focused on improving conflict resolution skills through the use of improvisation and clowning. He began his study of conflict resolution at the United World College. He holds a BA from Brandeis University, an MA in Dispute Resolution from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a diploma from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College.

• Colette Carmouche is an Ombuds for faculty, staff, researchers, and students at Harvard University. Prior to joining Harvard, Colette served in the federal government for 13 years in various capacities including conflict transformation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and historic preservation. Colette previously held roles as an Ombuds Specialist for the Transportation Security Administration, a mediation program manager, mediator, facilitator, trainer, ombuds, and coach for the U.S. Department of Interior, and she also assisted in establishing the first service-wide diversity and inclusion office for the National Park Service. Colette earned a Bachelor of Arts with dual majors in Anthropology and African and African American Studies from the University of Rochester and a Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. She also holds an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential from the International Coach Federation.