2019 Contemplative Practices for Higher Education Conference

Contemplative practices have the potential to transform higher education and, by extension, the communities in which we live. As the surge of both empirical data and personal stories about enhancements in wellbeing and learning continues, universities are paying close attention. Practices such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, and qigong have been integrated into all aspects of university life, from research to pedagogy to student development. As the world experiences profound social and environmental turbulence, the centering and connection brought on by this integration becomes even more important.

The Contemplative Practices for Higher Education Conference seeks to continue and expand the potential of meditative and mind-body practices in the context of colleges and universities. We warmly welcome faculty, administrators, and students of any experience level—experienced contemplatives, researchers and those seeking to learn more about contemplative practices—to participate in the conference.

This event will consist of two parts:

Friday Conference: Join us for a full day of concurrent sessions on a wide range of topics related to contemplative practice and research. The day will include two keynote talks:

• Dr. Michael Yellow Bird, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Indigenous Tribal Studies program at North Dakota State University
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• Dr. Judith Simmer-Brown, Distinguished Professor of Contemplative and Religious Studies at Naropa University

Saturday Workshop: Join us for a compelling, interactive Saturday morning workshop.

• Dr. Joanne Braxton, Frances L. and Edwin L. Cummings Professor of Africana Studies and English and director of the W&M Africana Studies Program’s Middle Passage Project at William and Mary.