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2026 Annual Meeting 
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Ombuds

Supporting the 2026 Annual Meeting

ÐÜèÊÓƵprovides an Ombuds service at its annual meetings. The ombuds is a neutral, confidential, informal, and independent resource made available to hear persons’ concerns and assist them by identifying options and resources to address conflicts or issues—including harassment, discrimination, or any violation of the professional conduct as set forth in the ÐÜèÊÓƵCode of Ethics (2011) and the ÐÜèÊÓƵPolicy on Harassment (1997). The ÐÜèÊÓƵombuds resource consists of a two-person team available to all attendees, staff, exhibitors, vendors, and any others at the Annual Meeting. Launched in 2019, the Ombuds Program is an important part of AERA’s commitment to provide welcoming, supportive office hours and an inclusive environment for all attending or otherwise serving or supporting the Annual Meeting.

The Ombuds Role at the ÐÜèÊÓƵAnnual Meeting is to…

• Listen and understand your concerns, neutrally and confidentially
• Identify and discuss the range of options available to you
• Provide guidance and resources for understanding how to resolve conflicts or address concerns about unethical or inappropriate behavior
• Inform you about and explain options for formally reporting misconduct to AERA
• Offer support and guidance even if you choose not to file a formal report or complaint

How to Contact the ÐÜèÊÓƵAnnual Meeting Ombuds

The ombuds will be available during the 2026 Annual Meeting for in-person, video, or phone appointments. The ombuds offices are in the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE on the third floor in Olympic I. To schedule an appointment with the ombuds email your request to aeraombuds@gmail.com. You may also reach out by phone at (202) 505-3356.

After the Meeting
Those wishing to contact the ombuds about an issue that arose during the meeting can send an email message to aeraombuds@gmail.com or phone (202) 505-3356.

Meet the 2026 Ombuds

Shannon Lynn Burton, PhD is the University Ombudsperson at Michigan State University, a role she has held since 2018 after serving as Assistant and Associate Ombudsperson. Across nearly 30 years in education, she has cultivated a culture of integrity, guided students in navigating complex academic decisions, and contributed to healthier organizational systems by identifying patterns, raising concerns, and supporting fair processes. With over 14 years of ombuds experience, she works to position the office as a trusted space grounded in the International Ombuds Association (IOA) Standards of Practice (confidentiality, informality, neutrality, and independence) while building institutional capacity for conflict management and communication. She serves as Editor of the Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) and as IOA’s representative to the National Academies’ Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education. She has contributed to multiple IOA and ABA initiatives, regularly presents and consults on conflict, ethics, and ombuds practice, and coaches emerging ombuds. She co-edited The Organizational Ombuds: Foundations, Fundamentals & Its Future (IOA, 2025) and founded the ombuds program for the ÐÜèÊÓƵ (AERA), where she continues to serve as Co-Ombuds. Shannon holds a PhD from Michigan State University and advanced degrees from Kansas State University and MSU, along with training in mediation, restorative practices, and trauma-informed approaches.

Kamaria B. Porter, PhD is the Associate Ombudsperson at Northwestern University. Combining skills in trauma informed qualitative inquiry, social justice mediation, and motivational interviewing, Porter provides confidential, impartial, and informal conflict resolution resources to the entire Northwestern Community.  In addition, Kamaria earned certificates in Social Justice Meditation  (UMass-Amherst) and Divorce Mediation (Northwestern University). Prior to becoming an ombudsperson, Kamaria served as an Assistant Professor of Higher Education at Penn State University. There she taught a range of courses related to education policy, administration and organizational theory, history and critical issues in higher education, and research methods. She continues to teach in Higher Education at Loyola University Chicago, her M.Ed. alma mater.  She earned her PhD in Higher Education at the University of Michigan. While there, she managed an NSF- funded research lab in the U. Michigan Department of Sociology studying university policy responses to sexual harassment and assault. Kamaria is eager to serve the ÐÜèÊÓƵcommunity in this role, after being an association member and presenter for over a decade.

Resources

• ÐÜèÊÓƵCode of Ethics
• ÐÜèÊÓƵPolicy on Harassment
• ÐÜèÊÓƵPolicy Guidance on Inclusive and Welcoming Meeting Environments