What happens when mediation meets mystery, debate, and high-stakes decision-making? Welcome to The Mediator’s Dilemma, an interactive event series that takes you to the heart of some of the toughest dilemmas mediators face.

The Concept:

Inspired by Geoffrey Robertson’s Hypotheticals, each session immerses you in a fictional yet realistic mediation scenario filled with ethical quandaries, unexpected twists, and moments where the path forward isn’t clear. As the story unfolds, you’ll face the same challenges as the mediator in the story.

Your Role:

The facilitator will guide you through the unfolding drama, pausing at critical “dilemma moments” to ask for audience engagement. Participants will be asked to consider:

What factors do you see as important in your decision about what to do next?
What else would you like to know?
What would you do and why?
How would your decision impact the parties / your role as mediator / others?

Discuss with fellow mediators from diverse backgrounds—newcomers and highly experienced mediators alike are welcome to attend, share and learn.

Challenge assumptions. Sharpen your skills. Learn from differing perspectives.

🎭 Why Attend?

Prepare for Real-World Practice: Explore dilemmas inspired by actual mediation challenges.
Engage Your Mind: Experience a captivating blend of mediation meets reality TV, choose-your-own-adventure, and CSI-type detective work!
Build Community: Connect with peers in a thought-provoking, collaborative environment.
Have Fun: Because learning should be as entertaining as it is enlightening.

Who’s It For?

Mediators at all levels—whether you’re stepping into your first session or reflecting on decades of experience, The Mediator’s Dilemma offers something for everyone.

Get ready to dive into the messy, fascinating, and rewarding world of mediation like never before. The dilemmas are real. The stakes are high. And the answers? That’s up to you.

Reserve your spot for the first session of The Mediator’s Dilemma!

Let the discussion begin!

In this session practitioners will discuss

The concept of "perceived threat to human life or safety".

The tensions between reporting a perceived threat to human life or safety and confidentiality.

How the context might impact on the mediator's choices.

About your facilitator

Judith is a distinguished ‘pracademic’, integrating 12 years of experience in conflict resolution practice, research, and education spanning Australia and abroad.

Since 2011, she has been practicing as a conflict management specialist through her own business and as a mediator at the Cairns Dispute Resolution Centre.

In her past role as Senior Lecturer (2012 – 2023) and Director of the postgraduate Conflict Management and Resolution program at James Cook University (2014 – 2017), Judith has significantly enhanced curriculum development in conflict studies and provided conflict management training across various sectors. She has also created multiple training resources and practical tools to assist individuals in analysing and engaging constructively in complex conflict situations.

Judith has conducted research in Rwanda, project-based work in the Central African Republic, and is an internationally respected researcher with notable expertise in qualitative studies with vulnerable populations in international conflict and post-conflict settings.

She holds a PhD in Conflict Resolution, a Master of Conflict and Dispute Resolution, a Graduate Business Administrator Diploma, and a Graduate Certificate in Psychology.

I would like to join!

Registration is AU$97+GST.

Attendance will provide 2 hours of Structured Peer Based Reflection under AMDRAS CPD requirements (Australia)