MII Workplace Mediation Essay Competition 2025
Coordinated by the MII Workplace Committee (workplace@themii.ie) and
sponsored by Brendan Schutte (MII Advanced Mediator & Approved Trainer)

Theme Suggestions
While the theme of the essays is connected to the 2025 MII Annual Conference theme (“Beyond the
Agreement to Mediate”), the following titles are intended to spark creativity, thought
leadership and practical reflection in workplace mediation:

1. “The Future of Workplace Mediation: Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact”
2. “Beyond Conflict: Reimagining Resolution in Evolving Workplaces”
3. “Lessons from the Table: What Have Workplace Mediators Learned”
4. “What One Change Will Make Workplace Mediation More Acceptable?”
5. “So, This Is Workplace Mediation in the Year 2100”

Word Count: Maximum 2,500 words (excluding references where used)

Competition Format & Coordination
 Eligibility: Open to all registered MII mediators.
 Submission Requirements: Essays must be original, not previously
published, and should include clear practical insights or reflections grounded
in mediation practice. These can be presented in a literary or dramatic
narrative style, however, and do not need to be academic standard writing.
Format is Times New Roman, 12pts, double spacing. Word limit 2,500 words.
Use of AI is not permitted, and by submitting an entry the writer authenticates
it has not been used in the submission. All Essays can be submitted using this
link: Submissions Link

 Judging Panel: A diverse panel has been convened by the MII Workplace
Committee and include respected professionals in mediation including
Catherine O Connell and Ray Flaherty and writer Disha Bose. The panel will
be chaired by our President, Andrea O Neill. By entering the competition,
participants agree that the judges’ decision is final in all matters.

 Prize: Award presented at the October MII Conference, with the winning
essay published on the MII website and circulated in the MII newsletter. The
prize will be €500, provided the winning entry is, in the
opinion of the Judging Panel, of sufficiently high quality and merit. If not, the
amount of the monetary prize will be decided by the Judging Panel. Up to two
runner-up prizes of €150 may also be awarded by the Judging Panel once
these are considered of a sufficiently high standard.

 A book or booklet of essays may be printed arising from the competition for
disseminating the value of workplace mediation, and by entering the
competition all entrants agree that this first publication will not attract royalties
or other payments. Aside from this the ownership and copyright of the work
remains with the writer. The writer may also ask that their work not be
included in this publication and this decision will be respected.