Project title: What is mindfulness? Development of a cross-cultural consensual definition and a cross-cultural measure of mindfulness

Primary supervisor: Prof. Clara Strauss

Second supervisor: Prof. Kate Cavanagh

University: University of Sussex, School of Psychology

SeNSS Pathway: Psychology

Collaborative partner: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Collaborative partner supervisor: Prof. Ruth Baer (expert consultant), Dr Jenny Gu (mentor)

Degree structure: either a three-year PhD programme (+3), or a one year Masters degree followed by a three-year PhD programme (1+3)

 

Project background

Mindfulness has become extremely popular in recent years and there are a vast number of mindfulness training courses available. This is partly because research has demonstrated that learning mindfulness is beneficial for mental health and wellbeing and mindfulness training is even recommended in NHS treatment guidelines for depression. However, despite this, different people define mindfulness in different ways and there are cross-cultural differences in how people think about mindfulness. This also means that it is difficult to measure mindfulness accurately because we first need to agree on what mindfulness is before we can measure it. Measuring mindfulness accurately is important because it will allow us to know how well existing mindfulness training programmes improve mindfulness and it will also allow us to refine mindfulness training programmes so that they can improve all aspects of mindfulness more fully and potentially lead to better outcomes. Both supervisors are clinical psychologists and, during the studentship, there will be the opportunity to gain clinical experience working in the NHS within the Sussex Mindfulness Centre.

 

Project aims and objectives

This studentship has two aims:

  1. To develop a valid and reliable self-report measure of mindfulness in line with a cross-cultural understanding of mindfulness; and,

  2. To develop and refine non-self-report measures of mindfulness, including measures using behavioural and psychophysiological methods

Training opportunities

A comprehensive package of training will be agreed in consultation with the supervisors as required. Elements of training will be provided by the supervisors, University of Sussex, and by other providers. Training can include, dependent on the needs of the student, training in systematic review methods, measure development methods, relevant statistical analysis skills, behavioural methods (lab-based testing) and training in psychophysiological assessment including measuring heart rate variability and interoceptive awareness.

 

Essential and/or desirable attributes/skills

It is essential that applicants have an interest in mindfulness, have strong research methods and data analysis skills, and have an interest in developing advanced research methods and data analysis skills. It would also be an advantage but not essential for applicants to have personal experience of mindfulness practice. This studentship would be well-suited to applicants seeking a career in clinical psychology or as a psychology academic specialising in clinical psychology. Both supervisors are clinical psychologists and can provide supervision and guidance on career pathways beyond the PhD.

Studentship details

This studentship will be taken as either a 1+3 year award (a one-year Masters degree followed by a three-year PhD), a +3 award (a three-year PhD).

 Residential eligibility

Home or international students are eligible for a fully-funded award (fees will be paid, and they receive a stipend/salary).

How to apply for this studentship

This competition is now closed.