This page includes materials, comments, and a short video, that viewers or participants of my 2024 workshop may find helpful. They pertain to my workshop, “Hijacked!” In the workshop, I consider the use of the metaphor of hijacking (particularly as it was used in the 1960s and 1970s.) to explore how mediators can maintain a safe and comfortable process for all participants. Some of these materials are available on the app for the workshop (but I could only upload three!) The materials include a short paper that explains the metaphor, several infographics that pertain to the theme of hijacking and several other infographics that pertain to mediation more generally. The in-person version of the workshop includes a short role play involving a dispute within the community and the factual background is uploaded here, as well. I hope you’ll join us and share your ideas on how to balance self-determination and the integrity of the mediation process. Brenda

“Hijacked: Mediation, Self-Determination, and Controlling the Process” This is a short paper describing the metaphor.

How to Prevent a Hijacking. (A Guide for Mediators). This short infographic provides some lessons that mediators may learn from pilots and the airline industry.

Mediation and Self-Determination. This infographic outlines a few of the issues mediators may want to consider in evaluating self-determination.

Mediation Styles. This short infographic does not directly address maintaining integrity but provides an illustration of the three styles of mediation. Each one poses unique challenges in preventing and recovering from a hijacked mediation.

About the workshop: An overview. This poster describes the workshop and the topics for our discussion.

Roleplay: Mediating a Community Dispute. This is a short video of the general description of the role play during the workshop.

Reviews. Here are some of the comments that attendees made after participating in this program at the Pennsylvania Council of Mediators in April, 2023.