Mediation and conflict resolution training
The University of St Andrews Mediation Service provides a variety of conflict resolution workshops. They are designed to equip and support everyone to develop advanced communication skills, grow in resilience and find constructive ways to navigate disagreement and conflict.
The Mediation Service is accredited by Scottish Mediation to deliver mediation training courses to University staff and the wider community.
University colleagues who complete the training become part of the Mediation Service and are encouraged to participate in external and internal mediations, and to engage in continuing professional development (CPD) to become eligible to join the Scottish Mediation Register.
Email mediation@st-andrews.ac.uk to discuss your training needs or register your interest in the University's accredited mediation training course.
Online training
Our six-week, self-paced, online training begins in January, April and October each year. Live skills practice sessions dates and further information can be found at Online Short Course.
In-person training
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Learning outcomes
- An understanding of conflict theory
- Awareness of personal responses to conflict and different conflict management styles
- An understanding of the basic principles underpinning mediation
- A theoretical understanding of how and why mediation works
- Enhanced communication and negotiation skills
- Practical experience in using mediation skills and techniques
- An understanding of the role of a mediator and how a mediator works
- An understanding of the importance of reflective practice and continuing professional development (CPD)
- An overview of different models of mediation and contexts
- An introduction to psychological biases and how difference impacts mediation
- An introduction to noticing and acknowledging the role of thoughts and emotions in mediation
- An understanding of equality and diversity issues and the ethics of mediation
- Knowledge of how mediation fits within the Law
- Knowledge of relevant Scottish Mediation practice guidelines and competencies
The course is delivered by experienced accredited Scottish Mediation Registered mediators and trainers over five days.
Typically, training days run from 9am to 5pm with a short break for lunch. There is often an earlier finish time on the final assessment day.
There will be 15 hours of home study built into the learning, with assessments. Students are also expected to keep a portfolio with evidence of their learning and reflective practice.The course will use continuous assessment aligned with the Scottish Mediation Guidance on Mediator Competency.
Training methods
These include:
- workshop exercises
- home-study
- reading list
- role-play
- skills practice
- written and reflective exercises
- trainer input
The course is interactive, with trainers and peers providing feedback and reflections during the course.
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Assessment
The course includes three formative home study assignments and two summative assessments. The summative assessments are:
- A written reflective exercise.
- An observed role play.
Student logs will also form part of the assessment as evidence of reflective practice and learning.
Students will receive ongoing feedback from trainers and peers during the course, aligned with the Scottish Mediation competency framework.
If a student does not meet the required standard, there will be an opportunity for a resit.
Certification
After successfully completing their training, students will:
- receive a certificate
- become members of The Mediation Service Alumni and are welcome to attend Alumni events
If students wish to become registered with Scottish Mediation,
please see Scottish Mediation Practice Standards for
Mediators.For questions about registration, email mediation@st-andrews.ac.uk.
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"I wanted to say that I truly enjoyed my first day of in-person mediation learning and practice. Thank you so much.
The style, pace and content were very engaging and made me thoughtful on my drive back to Glasgow."- Manira Ahmad
"I thoroughly enjoyed every day and would have quite happily attended further days had they been on offer. Having delivered training myself (on a much smaller scale!) I know how much it takes in terms of prep and then on the day, it’s a huge undertaking and a testament to the content and quality of delivery that it was so engaging.
As mentioned after my assessment I am already using a variety of what we discussed in training in my day-to-day relationships, friends, family, colleagues!"
- Vicky Kirkland
"It’s been an extraordinary experience that has unquestionably changed me. I’m very grateful for all the hard work that you folks have done to make this such a very well run and well-delivered course. I’ve learnt a huge amount - not just about mediation but how to host things in a way that allows folk to contribute easily."
- Rebecca Gibbs
"I found the mediation course at St Andrews to be deeply nourishing, both in its content and delivery. With a generous number of skilled instructors, the course provided a perfect balance of theory and practical application. The spacious practice time allowed me to explore and refine techniques while developing a solid understanding of the mediation framework.
The delivery was engaging and interactive, sparking lively debates and offering thought-provoking assignments that kept me invested throughout. It’s an intense programme that really gets under the skin of mediation, offering clear and actionable pathways into public mediation practice.
I left feeling equipped, inspired, and ready to take my next steps in mediation."
- Lisa Paris
"A rip-roaring, lifechanging, emotional rollercoaster sprinkled with beautiful opera, heated arguments, blowing of raspberries and a very brave space facilitated by the expert mediators, to explore how to manage and resolve conflict."
- Anonymous
"Before I did this course, I did not understand what mediation was and its potential to be valuable in every single area of my life. To learn a bit more about conflict and to understand that it can be positive, is inevitable and is normal was groundbreaking for me. I would recommend everyone and anyone to do this course. If we could all manage conflict a little bit better the potential impact this could have across society could be quite incredible."
- Jenny Shackelford
The Accredited Mediation course at University of St Andrews is one of the best courses I have ever taken! I learned so much over the five days through different facilitators with vast skills and knowledge, as well as gifted in their ability to share! The written and visual content was also clear and comprehensive.
What helped embed the learning was the engagement and practice with the other participants. Role playing is highly effective, although challenging for most of us! The safe, non-judgmental environment encouraged trust and openness, leading to meaningful learning and connection.
Whatever you do, this mediation training will improve your professional and interpersonal effectiveness and leadership capabilities.
- Lisa Blackett
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Ruth Unsworth is a qualified and experienced Mediator, Psychotherapist, and Church of Scotland Minister. Ruth is registered with Scottish Mediation and is also accredited as a Psychotherapist by the BACBP, the lead organisation for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the UK. Ruth is the Head of Mediation and Wellbeing at the University of St Andrews and has worked at the University for over 15 years. Ruth develops and leads conflict resolution training for student and staff groups internally and externally. Ruth has used mediation in a range of settings. She has worked with homeless young people, public sector and third sector agencies, to develop services for young homeless people in and around Glasgow. As a minister of the Church of Scotland, she has used mediation skills to develop different support groups for people impacted by domestic violence and drug abuse. Ruth has worked with congregations who had to decide whether to unite and whether to give up buildings they loved. She also worked in Zambia with NGOs, Government educational officials, teachers, parents, and children seeking to find a solution to different perspectives of conduct.Ruth worked in Student Services as a psychotherapist and as a director. Ruth developed the Wellbeing, Counselling and Mental Health Matched Care framework that received accreditation from APPTS (Accreditation Programme for Psychological Therapies Services) (a service development, quality improvement and accreditation network for services providing psychological therapy to adults in the UK run by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in partnership with the British Psychological Society). Ruth has many years’ experience of working with students; providing therapy and helping to resolve disagreement or conflict situations.
Ruth is the Chair of the University Mental Health Taskforce. As Chair of the Equally Safe Group, Ruth led the pilot for the Emily Test, which involved facilitating a series of focus groups using the Brave Space model designed to ensure conversations are civil, the multiple voices are heard, participants own their actions and have responsibility for the wellbeing of all, challenges are made respectfully without personal attacks.
Rebecca Swarbrick is Deputy Head of Mediation for Mediation and Wellbeing, training mediators and running conflict resolution workshops. She is is a qualified and experienced mediator, registered with Scottish Mediation. Rebecca has an M(Phil) Reconciliation and Conflict Resolution from Trinity College Dublin and has worked for small charities and schools.
Louise Nixon is the Deputy Director of Human Resources at the University of St Andrews. She has experience of working in many private sector organisations as well as other public sector bodies, all within the HR profession, prior to joining the University in 2006. Louise is a qualified mediator. She led several workplace mediations as an individual mediator as well as engaging in co-mediation and many facilitated meetings using the principles of mediation to help resolve conflict. More recently, Louise has been involved in student mediation. -
Code of Practice
The Mediation Service adheres to the Scottish Mediation Practice Guidelines for Mediators and the Code of Conduct for Mediation in Scotland.
Equality and Diversity
The Mediation Service, as part of the University of St Andrews, is fully committed to respect and fair treatment for everyone, eliminating discrimination and actively promoting equality of opportunity and delivering fairness to all.
All staff operate under the University’s equality, diversity and inclusion policy.Insurance
The Mediation Service is insured through the University of St Andrews insurance.
Complaints
Initially, the trainer addresses complaints informally. If this does not resolve matters, please contact the Head of Wellbeing and Mediation who will seek to resolve the issue using mediation.
Should this also not result in a resolution, please use the University Complaints procedure.
In addition, when our internal complaints handling process has been exhausted, the complainant can make a complaint to the Scottish Mediation ‘Committee for Excellence in Mediation’.
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