Contemplative Science Professors and Supervisors

Ben EgertonView profile

Senior Lecturer

Victoria University of WellingtonNew Zealand

Dr Ben Egerton serves as Director of Initial Teacher Education at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Education, a position he has held since January 2022. His academic profile uniquely bridges creative arts and education, with a PhD in Creative Writing (2020) and extensive experience in both poetry and teacher education. His research spans two interconnected domains: Creative Writing: Focusing on experimental poetry, Christian poetics in post-secular contexts, and the work of Michael Symmons Roberts Educational Technology: Specializing in cross-curricular learning design, digital technologies in museum education, and developing creative thinking in primary classrooms through technology Dr Egerton's publication pattern reveals a distinctive dual focus, with approximately half his recent work comprising scholarly educational research and the other half creative poetry output. His 2025 poetry collection Antiphony | Anti-Phoney represents his latest creative work, while his 2025 journal article on integrating science and digital technology demonstrates his educational scholarship. This integration of creative practice and academic research defines his scholarly identity. He actively supervises doctoral candidates on diverse technology-integrated education projects and teaches multiple courses including Te Kahu o te Ao: Primary learning design and Ngā Amo: Primary Learning Design at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His 2025 grant Nōku te Ao: sharing our stories through place-conscious digital storytelling exemplifies his commitment to connecting Māori educational approaches with contemporary digital learning.

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Ira GoldsteinView profile

Associate Professor

Albany Medical CollegeUnited States

Ira Goldstein serves as Associate Professor at Siena University (formerly Siena College), having progressed from Visiting Assistant Professor (2013-2016) to Assistant Professor (2016-2020) before his current appointment. His academic foundation includes a Ph.D. and MBA from the University at Albany, complemented by post-doctoral work at MIT CSAIL and University at Albany. His educational background features: Ph.D. from SUNY at Albany Master of Business Administration from University at Albany Goldstein's research bridges computer science education and medical informatics. He pioneers problem-based learning techniques for introductory CS courses, emphasizing real-world command-line applications and student engagement. His medical informatics work applies natural language processing to clinical text analysis, including smoking status identification and obesity prediction. Recent scholarship integrates mindfulness practices into emotional intelligence education for online and in-person learning environments, reflecting his commitment to holistic student development. Publication trends reveal sustained focus on CS pedagogy (70% of recent works) with medical NLP as a secondary thread. His educational research consistently addresses practical implementation challenges, while medical studies demonstrate methodological rigor in clinical text mining. Both strands share emphasis on real-world applicability, mirroring his teaching philosophy of connecting theory to practice. Key recognitions include: Upsilon Pi Epsilon Computer Science Honor Society (2017) SAANYS Leadership and Support Award (2007) Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society (2004) Goldstein mentors students through course-based projects and develops high school CS teacher programs via university-school partnerships. His grant activity focuses on educational outreach initiatives, particularly the model for connecting colleges with local high schools. He actively contributes to conferences like SIGCSE and AMIA, translating research into practical teaching frameworks. As an engaged community member, he participates in Siena's academic ecosystem through committee work and innovative course development, maintaining his philosophy that learning requires active application beyond passive knowledge reception.

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Jo DeryView profile

Professor

Keene State CollegeUnited States

Jo Dery is a Professor of Film Studies at Keene State College, specializing in experimental animation and visual storytelling. Her affiliations include residencies at MacDowell and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and she participated in an animation workshop at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, Poland. Her research integrates film, digital media, drawing, and memoir, with focus areas including: Autobiographical narratives and personal essays Hybrid art forms (film, installation, performance) Nature as a thematic setting Handmade aesthetics in digital contexts Dery’s creative output spans 20+ projects, with recent works exploring family dynamics, solitude, and environmental themes through experimental techniques. Her films and installations have been exhibited globally. Awards and Grants: Helen Hill Award (2012) Whiting Fellowship (2016) LEF Foundation, Vermont Arts Council, and Rhode Island State Council on the Arts grants Three Honorable Mentions in Best American Comics She advises students through independent studies and teaches courses in animation, video production, and career development. Dery holds a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA from Goddard College.

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Sriya BhattacharyyaView profile

Associate Professor

Naropa UniversityUnited States

Dr. Sriya Bhattacharyya serves as a Core Candidate Associate Professor at Naropa University within the MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Somatic Counseling program and concurrently as an Assistant Professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. A Bengali-Indian American psychologist, she integrates contemplative practices with clinical expertise to advance social transformation and creative healing for marginalized communities. Her academic credentials include: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counseling Psychology, Boston College Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Theories, Boston College Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology, University of Florida Postdoctoral Fellowship in Mental Health Equity, Center for Health Equity, Albert Einstein College of Medicine 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), Shivakali School of Yoga Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies, The Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute Certificate in Human Rights and International Justice, Boston College Dr. Bhattacharyya's research pioneers intersections of social justice, trauma therapy, and creative arts interventions. She designs community-based programs dismantling systems of oppression through yoga, therapeutic art, and contemplative clinical methods, with special focus on human trafficking survivors, asylum seekers, and low-income women. Her work consistently centers BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and immigrant communities through liberatory frameworks. Her 15+ publications reveal a cohesive trajectory in trauma-informed community healing, emphasizing arts-based methodologies during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and Islamophobic violence. Key themes include structural inequity analysis, collective healing models, and culturally responsive interventions for survivors of human trafficking and caste-based discrimination, predominantly utilizing qualitative and mixed-methods approaches. Notable recognitions include: Excellence in Campus Leadership Award from the American Psychological Association Brookline Community Foundation Spotlight Grant Award Diversity Fellowship from Boston College Orbis Institute International Teaching Fellowship She has secured multiple grants supporting community health equity initiatives and presented findings at 45+ international conferences. Her clinical practice provides specialized psychological evaluations for international human trafficking survivors navigating immigration systems, while her grant work focuses on rights literacy and psychosocial support for undocumented migrants. Dr. Bhattacharyya co-develops community-university partnerships like the STARS experiential group intervention and Echo Images arts-based feedback tool, collaborating with organizations including Shambhala Boston's BIPOC and Queer meditation communities. She maintains active involvement in liberation-focused sanghas while designing curricula that bridge contemplative traditions with clinical counseling practice.

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Lindsey RandolView profile

Associate Professor

Naropa UniversityUnited States

Lindsey Randol, PsychD, LPC, is a Core Associate Professor at Naropa University and Visiting Professor at the Royal University of Bhutan. She holds a PsychD in Counseling Psychology from Roehampton University and a Bachelor of Science in Contemplative Psychology from Naropa University. Her academic responsibilities include leadership in programs like the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with specializations in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling, Transpersonal Art Therapy, and Nature-Based Transpersonal Counseling. Her research integrates mindfulness, relational psychoanalysis, and critical psychology, focusing on transformative therapeutic frameworks. Key interests include transpersonal psychology, group psychotherapy dynamics, digital mental health interventions, and career development strategies for clinicians. Her work emphasizes contemplative practices in modern psychotherapy. Scholarly publications demonstrate consistent themes in group therapy innovation, brief mindfulness applications, and empirical validation of transpersonal approaches, reflecting a blend of clinical rigor and spiritual inquiry. Dr. Randol teaches diverse courses including: Human Growth and Development Helping Relationships I/II Diagnostic Psychopathology Approaches to Couples Counseling Awakening Compassion Career Development She maintains an active private practice in Boulder, Colorado, providing therapy to individuals, couples, and groups, which informs her academic work. No grants or lab affiliations are documented.

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Karen SumeyView profile

Lecturer

Naropa UniversityUnited States

Karen Sumey serves as a Visiting Instructor in the MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with a Buddhism-Informed Contemplative Counseling specialization at Naropa University, while also practicing as a trauma-focused therapist at Boulder Community Health’s Outpatient Counseling Center and in private practice. Her academic credentials include: Master’s of Social Work from Metropolitan State University of Denver Bachelor of Science in Human Services and Family Studies from Kansas State University Her clinical and research work centers on integrating Buddhist contemplative practices with evidence-based mental health treatment, emphasizing trauma-informed care within counseling frameworks. Key focus areas include: Application of Buddhist philosophy in therapeutic settings Contemplative supervision methodologies Trauma-responsive counseling techniques Mindfulness-based clinical interventions Through courses like Counseling Practicum and Contemplative Supervision, she trains emerging therapists in bridging academic theory with community mental health practice across Boulder County.

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David J KahaneView profile

Professor

University of AlbertaCanada

David J Kahane serves as Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Arts, where he bridges political theory with climate action through systems-oriented research and innovative teaching practices. His educational foundation includes a BA from Concordia University, MA from McGill University, and PhD from the University of Cambridge. Kahane's research examines climate change through interconnected lenses of systems theory, democratic participation, and emotional dimensions. He investigates how citizen deliberation processes function within complex power structures, particularly analyzing climate policy interventions. His work uniquely integrates contemplative practices with political theory, exploring anarchism, Marxism, and prefigurative politics in climate contexts. Current projects focus on applying systemic design to public participation challenges. Publication themes reveal consistent integration of care ethics with climate systems analysis, emphasizing emotional dimensions in policy engagement and classroom applications. His scholarship connects theoretical political frameworks with practical community interventions. Scientific recognition includes: 3M Teaching Fellowship Alan Blizzard Award for Collaborative Projects Rutherford Award for Undergraduate Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision Teaching Unit Award Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Teaching Award As Principal Investigator of the $1 million SSHRC-funded Alberta Climate Dialogue (2010-2016), Kahane directed a major community-university partnership convening citizens on climate policy. His graduate supervision excellence is formally recognized through university awards, though specific advisee names aren't documented. Current teaching grants focus on contemplative pedagogy applications. Kahane leads the Alberta Climate Dialogue project team, which pioneered citizen engagement methodologies for climate policy development. His current lab work integrates permaculture principles with academic research through personal practice, modeling systems thinking in daily life.

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Jan OdstrčilíkView profile

Research Fellow

Austrian Academy of SciencesAustria

Jan Odstrčilík is an Academy Scientist at the Institute for Medieval Research (IMAFO) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) in Vienna, where he has been working since 2015. Since 2023, he has also been a full member of the Cluster of Excellence: EurAsian Transformations. He specializes in Medieval Latin texts and manuscripts, with a particular focus on multilingualism in medieval preaching and educational treatises. His educational background includes a PhD in Medieval and Neo-Latin Studies from Charles University in Prague (2012-2015) and a Master's degree in Czech language and literature with focus on Latin from the same institution (2005-2012). Odstrčilík's research interests center around Medieval Latin texts and manuscripts , Digital humanities applications in medieval studies , Multilingual texts and translation practices , Latin translations of vernacular texts , and the History of education in the Middle Ages . His work bridges traditional philological methods with cutting-edge digital humanities approaches, especially in Handwritten Text Recognition for medieval documents. He has made significant contributions to understanding multilingual sermon traditions, particularly those related to the Hussite movement and Jan Hus. His scholarly output demonstrates consistent focus on multilingual sermon traditions and the application of digital tools to medieval manuscript studies, with recent work emphasizing AI and machine learning techniques for analyzing medieval texts across linguistic boundaries. Herzog Ernst Scholarship (2019) for research on Henry Totting of Oyta Summer school 'Beyond Editing' Scholarship (2017) Paul Lehmann-Scholarship for Codicological Research (2013) Erasmus-Scholarship in Medieval Latin Philology (2010-2011) Odstrčilík has secured research funding for projects examining Prague University's influence in medieval manuscripts and has developed digital resources including the Dictionary of Medieval Latin in Czech Sources. He has organized numerous workshops and conferences, particularly the Winter School of HTR series, which has trained scholars across Europe in digital manuscript analysis techniques. He is actively involved in the Working Group on Textual Networks and Translation Cultures at IMAFO, where he contributes to projects like the Database of Carolingian manuscripts and innovative encoding of Carolingian manuscripts in collaboration with other scholars. His leadership in digital humanities initiatives has established him as a key figure in applying computational methods to medieval studies.

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Louise St PierreView profile

Professor

Emily Carr University of Art and DesignCanada

Louise St Pierre is a Professor at Emily Carr University of Art + Design within the Ian Gillespie Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media. She holds appointments in both the Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media and the Jake Kerr Faculty of Graduate Studies. Her work bridges industrial design, ecological design, and contemplative practices, with a focus on creating sustainable design paradigms that recognize the agency of all beings. Her research interests center on ecological design, animism, Buddhism, and contemplative practices. St Pierre brings animist views to Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability (DESIS), advocating that all beings are social and should be included in design processes. She established Canada's first DESIS Lab and serves on the DESIS International Coordination Committee. Her work emphasizes understanding systems, deep ecology, and ecological interdependence, with a focus on redirecting design toward contemplative, holistic, and ethical approaches that prioritize all beings of the more-than-human world. St Pierre's publications reveal a consistent trajectory toward integrating ecological principles with contemplative practices and animist perspectives. Her work moves beyond conventional sustainable design to develop frameworks that recognize the agency of non-human entities and foster deep ecological literacy. The publications demonstrate increasing sophistication in methods for designers to engage directly with nature, develop new ethical frameworks, and create educational approaches that transform students' relationship with the Earth. Dean of Graduate Studies Convocation Medal from Simon Fraser University YWCA Women of Distinction Awards nomination (Environmental Sustainability, 2024) Funding and awards from the Environmental Protection Agency, IDSA, and The American Center for Design St Pierre has received significant research funding for Industrial Design, Exhibit Design and Ecological Design work. She founded the Design for All Beings research group at Emily Carr University and established Canada's first Minor in Ecological Design. Her work has influenced sustainable design education internationally, and she continues to develop embodied, relational, and contemplative pedagogies through her networks. She co-chaired the International Design Principles and Practices Conference in 2014 and remains active in international design discourse. She leads the Design for All Beings research group at Emily Carr University, which explores how designers can prioritize all beings of the more-than-human world. As a founding member of Canada's first DESIS Lab, she researches how design can influence low-impact behaviors and lifestyles. Her approach integrates wisdom traditions, contemplative practices, and animist perspectives to develop new design methodologies that recognize the agency of all beings.

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Courtney L. WeidaView profile

Professor

Adelphi UniversityUnited States

Courtney L. Weida is a Professor in the Department of Art Education at Adelphi University's Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences. She holds leadership roles as Art Education Graduate Program Director and has served on multiple university committees including as Co-Chair of the Senate Committee on Teaching & Advisement. Her work bridges academic scholarship with practical teaching experience as she continues to serve as a teaching artist for New York schools and public libraries. Education: Ed.D., Columbia University Teachers College (2008) Ed.M., Harvard University (2004) B.A. in Visual Art, English Literature, and Elementary Education, Northeastern University Weida's research explores the intersections of art education, gender studies, and cultural theory. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, craft and sensory experience, healing arts, and visual culture studies through the lens of girlhood studies and fairy tale studies. She investigates how expressive arts, community arts, and digital learning communities can transform educational practices. Her scholarship draws connections between psychoanalysis, creativity, and pedagogy, particularly examining how mythological and fairy tale narratives shape identity formation and artistic expression. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent engagement with feminist perspectives on art education, with particular focus on zine culture, unicorn symbolism, and fairy tale narratives as frameworks for understanding girlhood and identity. Her work frequently examines the contributions of women artists and educators throughout history while applying these insights to contemporary educational contexts. A recurring theme is the integration of craft-based practices with critical pedagogy, exploring how handmade objects and alternative media forms can create spaces for marginalized voices. Awards and Recognition: Adelphi University Excellence in Scholarship Nominee (2018, 2015) Top 5% journal article on academia.edu (2021) Weida serves as an outside reader for doctoral students at the Derner Institute of Psychology and has mentored numerous Art Education Masters Seminar Capstone Research Projects since 2008. Her grant history demonstrates commitment to professional development in Waldorf education, arts for autism, and international cultural studies, with funding from Adelphi University and external sources including the Alfred D. Bell Fellowship for Forest History and Art Education. She co-coordinates the Art Education Capstone Exhibition and has been instrumental in developing interdisciplinary connections between art education and other fields. As a practicing artist, Weida participates in the International Fiber Collaborative and has exhibited her work in numerous venues including Columbia University Teachers College Alumni Exhibitions, Viridian Artists Gallery, and the Museum of Motherhood Conference Exhibition. Her creative scholarship demonstrates the integration of research and practice that characterizes her approach to art education.

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Maja SidzińskaView profile

Part-Time Lecturer

Louisiana State University of AlexandriaUnited States

Maja Sidzińska is a part-time Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania and the Department of Philosophy and World Religions at Rowan University. She is currently completing her PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, expected in 2025, following her MA in Philosophy from San Francisco State University (awarded with distinction) and her BA, summa cum laude, in Political, Legal, Economic Analysis from Mills College. Dr. Sidzińska's research spans multiple interconnected fields within philosophy, with particular focus on metaphysics, feminist philosophy, and the philosophy of science. Her work critically examines traditional philosophical frameworks through the lens of pregnancy and embodiment, challenging Cartesian dualism and exploring processual ontologies. She has developed significant expertise in the history of philosophy, particularly regarding women philosophers and the intersection of biology with philosophical concepts. Her publications reveal a consistent trajectory examining how traditional philosophical systems fail to account for pregnancy and feminine embodiment, while also exploring historical figures like Émilie du Châtelet and contemporary issues in scientific representation. Through her co-edited volume New Voices on Women in the History of Philosophy and her involvement with Philosophy in the Wild, she actively works to broaden philosophical discourse and practice. As a PhilPapers editor specializing in birth and pregnancy topics, she contributes to shaping scholarly conversations in these areas. Her innovative work with Philosophy in the Wild demonstrates her commitment to reimagining philosophical engagement through outdoor, technology-free conferences that foster contemplative practice and new modes of philosophical discourse.

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Marc ChampagneView profile

Professor

Ave Maria UniversityUnited States

Marc Champagne is a Regular Tenured Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and a Senior Fellow with the Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy. He is also the Founder of Certified AI-Free Skills and Knowledge, a non-profit initiative identifying and verifying courses that maintain human-centered learning approaches. His academic journey includes being an alumnus of York University's Philosophy program. Champagne's research spans multiple philosophical domains with particular emphasis on semiotics , philosophy of mind , and ethics . His work demonstrates a unique integration of Peircean semiotics with contemporary issues in technology, consciousness, and AI. He has developed original concepts like "semiotic inflation" to analyze how AI-generated content affects human experience and value systems. His scholarship bridges classical philosophical frameworks with cutting-edge technological challenges, particularly in robotics ethics and virtual reality philosophy. Champagne's publication pattern reveals consistent engagement with foundational questions about consciousness, meaning, and responsibility in the digital age. His recent work increasingly focuses on AI ethics, robot responsibility, and the existential implications of technology. He frequently employs semiotic theory to analyze phenomena ranging from human-AI interaction to interstellar communication possibilities, demonstrating remarkable interdisciplinary range while maintaining philosophical rigor. Through his founding of Certified AI-Free Skills and Knowledge, Champagne actively translates his theoretical work into practical applications that help preserve human-centered educational experiences. His scholarship consistently challenges conventional thinking about technology's role in society while offering constructive alternatives grounded in philosophical traditions.

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