Mary P. Rowe

Dr. Mary P. Rowe is an Adjunct Professor of Negotiation and Conflict Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management, a role she has held for twenty years. She has served as MIT's organizational ombuds for 42 years, reporting directly to five MIT presidents. Her work focuses on conflict resolution, harassment prevention, and the role of bystanders in fostering professional behavior. Rowe holds a BA in history/international relations from Swarthmore College and a PhD in economics from Columbia University. She has consulted widely with corporations, academic institutions, and government agencies on conflict management and equity issues.

Her research interests include interpersonal negotiations, dispute resolution systems, and the impact of micro-affirmations and micro-inequities. Rowe has been recognized with a special issue of the Journal of the International Ombuds Association in November 2023, honoring her contributions to the field. Her recent publications explore organizational ombuds standards, harassment training effectiveness, and case analyses of serious conflicts reported to ombuds offices.

Rowe's work emphasizes empowering bystanders and creating inclusive organizational cultures. She has contributed to MIT's archives with materials on the evolution of the organizational ombuds role and equity promotion strategies. Her research bridges practical conflict management with academic inquiry, influencing both policy and practice.