CSC researchers at International Conference on Mindfulness - Asia Pacific 2025

A team from the Contemplative Studies Centre recently attended the International Conference on Mindfulness - Asia Pacific 2025, joining global leaders, researchers, and practitioners in Hong Kong to explore the role of mindfulness and contemplative practices in promoting health, wellbeing, education, social justice and equality, sustainability and peace.

The group included Deputy Director, Dr Julieta Galante; Dr Karin Matko, Post-doctoral Research Fellow in Mindfulness and Mental Health; Dr Lillian Ward, Research Fellow; Luara Karlson-Carp, Research Assistant, Contemplative Practices and Change;  Nick Bowles, PhD Candidate; and Stephanie Campbell, Research Fellow at Melbourne Climate Futures.

They explored the wide-ranging impacts of mindfulness and meditation across individual, societal and ecological domains. Presentations spanned topics including the mental health and economic implications of contemplative practices, the role of spiritual leaders in ecological justice, and the integration of social justice literacy in mindfulness teaching. Other talks examined the progression of meditation expertise, the effectiveness of digital tools for cultivating compassion, and the dose-response relationship between mindfulness practice and wellbeing.

Our academics have returned to Melbourne inspired to continue their work in the responsible integration of contemplative practice into the heart of societal change.