
Online November 5-8, 2020
An Interactive Online Conference Featuring the Latest Findings on the Research of Meditation, Mindfulness,
and Other Contemplative Practices.
What To Expect
- The Mind & Life 2020 Contemplative Research Conference is an international conference for rigorous interdisciplinary investigation of mindfulness and other contemplative practices and programs in diverse contexts
- Live keynote lectures and panels sharing big ideas and examining new influences in the field
- Hundreds of papers and posters bringing the latest ideas from the front lines of contemplative research and study
- Numerous networking opportunities in live meetings, forums, and social features built into the conference website
- Contemplative practice sessions and contemplative arts to ground the insights and embodied experience
Who Should Attend
Those who are doing the research
This is an international, interdisciplinary academic conference for scientists, scholars, and practitioners from diverse disciplines including neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, clinical science, integrative health, contemplative studies, and education to share their work.
Those who want to learn about the research
CRC is also a place for professionals and leaders in the mindfulness and contemplative fields, to hear cutting edge research, find emerging voices, and be the first to know about new trends in the field.
Featured Speakers

Kalina Christoff, PhD
University of British Columbia
Kalina Christoff is a Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Her work focuses on understanding human thought, using a combination of functional neuroimaging (fMRI), … MORE

David J. Creswell, PhD
Carnegie Mellon University
Fellow, Grantee
David’s research focuses broadly on understanding what makes people resilient under stress. Specifically, he conducts community intervention studies, laboratory studies of stress and coping, and neuroimaging studies to understand how … MORE

Margaret Cullen, PhD
Portland State University
Margaret Cullen is a licensed psychotherapist and was one of the first ten people to become a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher. For over 25 years, she has pioneered … MORE

Richard J. Davidson, PhD
Mind & Life Chief Scientific Advisor, Center for Healthy Minds at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Davidson is best known for his groundbreaking work studying emotion and the brain. A friend and confidante of the Dalai Lama, he is a highly sought after expert and speaker, … MORE

Thupten Jinpa Langri, PhD
McGill University
Thupten Jinpa, Ph.d., received his early education and training as a monk and obtained the Geshe Lharam degree from the Shartse College of Ganden Monastic University, South India. In addition, Jinpa … MORE

Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad, PhD
University of Lancaster
Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad is a Fellow of the British Academy and Distinguished Professor of Comparative Religion and Philosophy at Lancaster University. He is the author of seven books and some fifty … MORE

Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, PhD
University of British Columbia
Convening Faculty
Kimberly Schonert-Reichl is an applied developmental psychologist and a professor in the Human Development, Learning, and Culture area in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education at … MORE

Cheryl Woods Giscombe, PhD
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Cheryl L. Woods Giscombe, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC is the Melissa and Harry LeVine Family Professor of Quality of Life, Health Promotion and Wellness. Her program of research focuses on understanding … MORE
Contemplative Research Conference
Program Planning Committee
The Program Planning Committee (PPC) is a committee of invited specialists from diverse disciplines and perspectives who bring their expertise to curate and produce the content of the conference. In addition to developing the overall theme and narrative arc of the program, the PPC actively participate and serve in leadership roles throughout the conference. Linda Carlson and John Dunne are co-chairs of the CRC PPC.


John Dunne, PhD
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Doris F. Chang, PhD
New York University

Neil Dalal, PhD
University of Alberta

