Michael Sheehy

Michael R. Sheehy is a Research Professor of Religious Studies and Director of Research at the University of Virginia's Contemplative Sciences Center (CSC). He holds a courtesy appointment as an Associate Professor in Religious Studies and is affiliated with the UVA Tibet Center. His research focuses on Tibetan Buddhism, particularly the phenomenology, history, and cognitive science intersections of contemplative practices. He directs the CIRCL Co-Lab, a transdisciplinary lab exploring contemplation through cultural, historical, and neurophysiological lenses. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Contemplative Studies and co-edits book series on Tibetan Buddhism and contemplative studies. His work bridges historical texts with modern disciplines like neuroscience and cultural psychology.

Key research areas include Vajrayāna meditation, Jonang tradition, and the interface between Buddhism and science. He has collaborated with scientists on interdisciplinary projects and facilitated dialogues with figures like the Dalai Lama. His publications span academic and popular media, including National Geographic and Psyche Magazine. Awards include a Mind & Life Institute honorary fellowship and leadership roles in the American Academy of Religion's Contemplative Studies unit.

Sheehy’s current projects include a book on the Jonang tradition and investigations into attention, imagination, and embodiment in Tibetan meditation. He has conducted fieldwork in Tibetan monasteries and contributed to preserving rare manuscripts. His lab’s events, such as CARELab and Contemplation Under the Cosmos, highlight his commitment to experiential research and public engagement.