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Strand 1: Scientific research, theory, and pedagogy

Scientific Research, Theory and Pedagogy

How do we examine mindfulness?

In this strand, we’ll take a big-picture look at where the mindfulness field stands in the worlds of science, research, and theory. We’ll consider the strengths and vulnerabilities of what we know about mindfulness-based approaches. There will be opportunities to hear from experienced researchers, reflect on their research experiences, and discuss where we should head next. 

Strand 1 includes but is not limited to:

  • Innovative research methods
  • Mechanisms of mindfulness
  • Pedagogy of mindfulness
  • Approaches to measuring mindfulness
  • The challenges of research methodologies in mindfulness research
  • Innovative pedagogical approaches
  • Ethics

Strand 1 begins with a Keynote from Sona Dimidjian. After this you can choose to attend either: a related panel discussion, workshop, research symposium, or guided practice, which will be held across various spaces in Bangor University’s Pontio Centre.

keynote

Contemplative Science and Practice: Embracing the fullness of what we do and who we are with Sona Dimidjian

Commitment to alleviating individual and social suffering draws many of us to this field and together at this conference. How can we harness the promise of contemplative science and practice to be of greatest benefit? How can we most effectively promote individual healing and social change? Together, we will explore the evidence base for mindfulness-based interventions and identify ways to strengthen the potential of our work to impact positively the mental health needs of individuals and communities. We will engage the relevance of contemplative science not only for what we do but also who we are and how to live more fully our shared intention to create a better future for all.

panel

What have we learnt from the past and what are our hopes for the future?

An exchange between the “elders of the field” about the state of the evidence for mindfulness-based interventions, possible gaps and identifying ways to take the field forwards.

The contributors of the panel will shortly present what they view as the most important evidence of MBIs in their respective fields. We will then have a discussion about the potentially unanswered questions in the research as it has been conducted so far and present some important and promising ways forward. We intend to have a lively exchange with the audience.

workshop

Mindful Publishing in the AI Era: An Editor’s Perspective on Trends, Challenges, and Insights in Mindfulness Research with Oleg Medvedev.

In an age where AI influences many facets of academic pursuit, the dissemination of mindfulness research is undergoing significant transformation. This workshop delivers an editor's perspective on the latest trends in mindfulness research, navigating through the possibilities and perils that AI presents to scholarly publishing. Our focus shifts to the core trends revolutionizing how mindfulness research reaches academic and public domains. We delve into how AI impacts the success rates of paper acceptance and publication, and the broader implications for researchers striving to contribute novel insights in a highly competitive space.

This discussion will outline the increased efficiency and new opportunities for disseminating research findings, while also considering the challenges of maintaining rigorous peer-review standards in the fast-paced digital era. From an editorial vantage point, we share insights on harnessing AI to enhance the visibility and impact of mindfulness studies, and how this influences the themes and narratives that gain prominence in the literature. The talk will reflect on the emerging challenges such as ensuring the ethical use of AI, addressing the digital divide in research accessibility, and preserving the integrity of mindfulness as a discipline amidst rapid technological change.

This workshop presentation aims to equip researchers with an understanding of current publishing trends, stimulate discussion on overcoming associated challenges, and inspire innovative approaches to sharing their work effectively. Attendees will leave with a clearer vision for navigating the evolving landscape of mindfulness research publication in the era of AI integration.

Learning aims:
1. To provide researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the latest trends in academic publishing.
2. To encourage active dialogue among participants on how to address challenges in the current publishing environment.
3. To foster the development of creative strategies for researchers to disseminate their work effectively.
4. To ensure participants gain a more defined perspective on how to successfully navigate the changing field of mindfulness research publication.
5. To prepare researchers for the implications and opportunities presented by the integration of AI within the research publication process.

References:
Medvedev, O. & Krägeloh, C. (2023). Harnessing Artifcial Intelligence for Mindfulness Research and Dissemination: Guidelines for Authors. Mindfulness, 14, 1019–1020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02155-y

Krägeloh, C.U., Alyami, M.M., Medvedev, O.N. (2023). AI in Questionnaire Creation: Guidelines Illustrated in AI Acceptability Instrument Development. In: Krägeloh, C.U., Alyami, M., Medvedev, O.N. (eds) International Handbook of Behavioral Health Assessment. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89738-3_62-1

Medvedev, O.N., Krägeloh, C.U. (2023) A comprehensive matrix of factors contributing to depression. Nature Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-023-00126-9

online workshop

“May we all be safe…” Exploring ethical practice in mindfulness and our duty of care to each other with Sarah Millband.

In this workshop, we’ll be weaving together ethical practice in mindfulness with good practice in safeguarding and considering our duty of care to those we come into connection with as mindfulness practitioners, whether we’re offering mindfulness in individual or group settings. Creating a learning environment that allows others to feel a simultaneous sense of safety and vulnerability is part of a set of core skills needed by those offering mindfulness-based approaches. Some of the people who are drawn to learning mindfulness – and those associated with them – may be vulnerable in other ways, however, including by being at risk of experiencing harm, abuse and neglect. Good practice in safeguarding is all about growing our awareness of safety in the wider world in which the person is living and understanding the responsibilities we have as practitioners to take preventative steps when we’re concerned that harm, abuse and neglect might happen and to take wise action when we see that it is happening. We’ll be considering the traditional ethical foundations that underpin mindfulness alongside the contemporary good practice and legal frameworks that support safeguarding. We’ll also be reflecting on attitudes, values and power dynamics and exploring how good practice in safeguarding involves ‘being with’ the other, rather than ‘doing to’ them. “May we all be safe” is a wish that we offer in our metta practice and we’ll be opening to the implications of living this aspiration, including turning towards our duty of care to each other with both compassion and wisdom.

The workshop will include some time for didactic presentation alongside individual experiential exercises, with space for guided reflections and time for considering how you might take forward your learning about ethics and safeguarding in to your own practice.

guided practice

Shifting the Narrative: Dropping Some Beats with Cathy-Mae Karelse and Kareen Griffiths

This exploration of music, mindfulness and movement will start with a brief conversation about vibration and rhythm as a universal language. We shall experience and feel how music connects us to ourselves and to one another and come to know how sound helps us create a deeper appreciation and sense of expression offering pathways of togetherness beyond words. The session provides an opportunity to listen to ourselves, our bodies, and release tensions in new ways that connect us with one another outside of language. This is the conversation of the bodies in communion with one another. Music provides avenues for making mindfulness more accessible and presents opportunities for us to break down barriers, transcend borders, and build bridges. We welcome you to join us in making this a safe space of togetherness in which we embrace the power of music to open us up to new possibilities.

Research Presentations

Here are the research sessions for Strand 1. Each session will feature selected abstracts presented in 15-minute talks, offering a chance to hear the latest cutting-edge research in the mindfulness and compassion fields. Detailed timings will be available in the full conference programme. Full abstracts will be available on the ICM:2024 Community Portal for all registered conference attendees.

Compassion and Mindfulness

Mindfulness in Education/Mindfulness in the Workplace

Models and Mechanisms of Mindfulness

MBCT for Depression: Findings from a Randomised Controlled Trial

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Clinical Populations

Mindfulness for Diverse Populations

Mindfulness Later in Life

Mindfulness and Pedagogy: Supervision, Physical Environment, and Popularity.

Imagination, Humour, Memory, and Voices.

ICM:2024 Mindfulness in a changing world

conference sessions centred around five key strands
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