The PGR Mindful Researcher Programme aims to support wellbeing among the university’s postgraduate researcher cohort through bespoke mindfulness meditation training. A regular meditation practice decreases undesirable states such as anxiety, distress, and anger (Brown, Ryan, & Creswell, 2007; Greeson & Brantley, 2008; Grossman et al., 2004) and increases positive states such as joyfulness, inspiration, and contentment (Brown & Ryan, 2003; Cardaciotto et al., 2008; Davidson et al., 2003; Feldman et al., 2007; Walach et al., 2006). Key cognitive functions including attention, awareness, and the ability to make connections have repeatedly been shown to be enhanced through mindfulness meditation practice (Cahn & Policy, 2006; Hölzel et al., 2007; Jha, Krompinger, & Baime, 2007; Lutz et al., 2008; Tang et al., 2007). 

The 8-week Mindful Researcher course is based on the gold standard Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course and adapted to the specific needs of postgraduate researchers.  It covers topics including resilience, being present with strong emotions, the inner critic, compassionate communication, creativity, and value-led project management and career planning. Participants will receive a PDF guidebook to support their practice, and slides and further recorded meditations for home practice will be made available through a virtual learning environment. 

The course will take place virtually via Zoom from 3.30-5.00 for eight consecutive Tuesdays beginning on 15 June. It will be led by Dr Allan Kilner-Johnson (Associate Dean Doctoral College, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences), who is an accredited mindfulness teacher registered on the UK Mindfulness Teachers Register and a Yoga Alliance registered yoga instructor (RYT-200) with over 15 years of experience in traditional and contemporary meditation practices. 

To register or to ask any questions, please contact Allan Kilner-Johnson at a.kilner-johnson@surrey.ac.uk