We have received the following request from Dr. Liudmila Gamaiunova, SNSF Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion, University of Oxford. If you meet the criteria, please consider completing the survey to help with the research project.

“Dear representatives of the Queenstown Dharma Centre,

I am a research postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion at the University of Oxford. We are conducting a research project centered on the psychological mechanisms of meditation practice. Specifically, we aim to investigate the connection between meditation practice and belonging to various groups. The results will help to elucidate meditation’s effects not only on the individual but also on social aspects of human functioning. The project results will be published in a scientific journal and shared on the center’s website.

For this study, we are seeking healthy volunteers aged 18 and older who have a good command of English, reside in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the European Union, and have substantial meditation experience (over 100 hours) in one of the Buddhist traditions (for example, Zen, Tibetan, Vipassana,…). Participation includes answering questions in a 10-15-minute online survey. We would be very grateful if it was possible to share this information with the meditation practitioners in your community, share it on your social media platforms, or display a printed version of the poster attached below. However, we understand if it is not possible. For any questions, do not hesitate to contact me—I’ll be happy to answer any inquiries.

The survey can be found by following this link https://oxfordanthropology.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0eMLAaPhLEWyNZs

Thank you!

With my best regards,
Liudmila”