Navigating Power and Conflict: Fostering Growth Through Difficult Conversations in Graduate School

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Graduate students regularly encounter moments when they must advocate for themselves—whether with advisers, mentors, peers, or administrators. These conversations can be uncomfortable, especially when power dynamics are at play. Members of the AERA Ombuds team share insights from their work supporting scholars through conflict and communication challenges. This fireside chat will begin with a brief presentation from Ombuds team members outlining common patterns they see in graduate student–faculty conflicts and effective strategies for addressing them. Panelists will offer practical tools for navigating difficult dialogues with confidence, empathy, and professionalism, followed by an open Q&A where participants can pose questions and reflect on their own experiences.

Sub Unit

• Graduate Student Council

Chair

• Cammie Justus-Smith, Virginia Commonwealth University

Panelists

• Kamaria B. Porter, Northwestern University

• Shannon Lynn Burton, Michigan State University