This Short Course introduces mindfulness and meditation practices, combining theoretical notions with practical exercises that can be integrated into daily life. Practicing meditation can help relieve stress, anxiety, and rumination by bringing our awareness to the present moment. Mindfulness can be particularly beneficial for Early Career Scientists (ECS) facing the pressures of academic life, such as short contracts, competition, and uncertainty about what comes next, and it offers grounding tools for anyone experiencing sensory overwhelm, including neurodivergent people. The meditation sessions offered in this course also provide a quiet, calming space for the General Assembly attendees amid the intensity and busyness of the conference.
The first part of the course (~ 45 min + 15 min Q&A) will be dedicated to a theoretical lecture given by Prof. Elli Weisbaum. Elli Weisbaum has worked internationally facilitating applied mindfulness workshops and retreats across the sectors of education, healthcare, and business. She is based at the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor (teaching stream) in the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program (BPMH), at New College, with a joint appointment to the Department of Psychiatry, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Her work draws upon research from the fields of neuroscience, education, healthcare and the workplace to explore how the scientific evidence base for mindfulness is being integrated and operationalized across key sectors of society. The lecture will cover topics such as the benefits of mindfulness for well-being and neuroplasticity, how to integrate mindfulness into daily life and in working environments, and how meditation can help create more clarity and presence in research work.
The second part (~45 min) will be interactive and dedicated to breathing meditation techniques. It will focus mainly on short meditation practices that can be done during working hours in an office environment, such as sitting meditation, walking meditation, tea/coffee meditation, and body relaxation. Participants will receive instructions on posture, movement, and following the breath, and will be guided through short meditation sessions to experience the practice right away. A 15-min slot will be reserved at the end for Q&A.
No prior familiarity with meditation or mindfulness practices is assumed or required, and participants at any level of experience are welcome.