September 16, 2019
12:10 - 12:50 p.m.
Room B400, lower level, Killam Library
In this talk about the Science of Mindfulness, you will be introduced to the practice of mindfulness meditation from an experiential viewpoint. Some of the effects that this secular practice is purported to have from research on cognition, emotions, the brain and our bodies will be mentioned. If time permits, we will also consider some of the problems with mindfulness as a practice and with the scientific research, as it stands today.
Our Presenter: Patricia McMullen received her M.Sc. in neuroanatomy at the University of Toronto in 1981 and her Ph.D. in cognitive psychology at the University of Waterloo in 1988. Post-doctoral research at Carnegie Mellon University followed, where she gained expertise in the study of cognitive neuropsychology or the cognition of individuals who have experienced brain damage. In 1991, she was hired as professor in the area of visual cognition in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University. She has co-authored a book with MIT Press and published close to 50 articles on research into visual cognition and cognitive neuropsychology. Her interest in mindfulness and meditation has continued throughout most of her adult life, which makes presenting on the 'Science of Mindfulness,' a meeting of two long-standing interests.