The nature and role of academic ombudsman at the Polish higher education institutions

The article reports the results of a study conducted in the form of structured interviews. The goal of the study was to find out about the nature of this institution, the objectives of academic ombudsmen, the cases they deal with, their role in the academic community, in particular their role in resolving disputes at universities, and the type of methods they apply in their work. The institution of an academic ombudsman is considered to use an ADR method which is more appropriate in resolving problems and conflicts that appear at the universities, in comparison with formal procedures. The academic ombudsman takes into account important elements of the mission of universities which include respect for the other party, diversity, tolerance, and application of more inclusive and democratic methods in university governance. The introduction of ombudsman institutions at the universities is Poland is dictated not only by the necessity for more effective management and dispute resolution, but also shows a change in the attitude of the university administration towards the academic community. The need for research into the function of academic ombudsman arises from the relatively dynamic growth in the last three years in the number of academic ombudsmen as well as other institutions with similar names and goals. The emergence and significant increase in number of these institutions in the last few years at the universities in Poland raises the question of their nature and role at the universities.