Research Centre: The University of Melbourne (leading centre) and Emory University (collaborating centre)
Location: This study is conducted virtually and is open across the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand
Lead Researcher: Dr. Julieta Galante
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of Melbourne HREC #30046

Researchers are inviting beginner meditators to take part in a long-term study exploring how regular meditation relates to quality of life over time. This study follows people practising mindfulness, Mahayana or Theravada Buddhist meditation to better understand what practitioners experience as their practice develops, across different traditions and settings.

By taking part, you’ll be contributing to research that aims to build clearer, more realistic expectations around meditation practice. You will be contributing to the support people may need at different stages. What researchers learn may help inform safer, more accessible, and more ethically delivered meditation training in the future. Adults aged 18+ who live in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, or the UK and have recently begun a regular meditation practice may be eligible.

Sign up to see if you’re eligible for this exciting study.

• Participants will earn USD $5 per monthly survey completed, USD $10 per yearly survey completed, and gain weekly entries into a prize draw for USD $100 gift cards (20 winners every 6 months). All compensation will be paid as gift cards in local currency. You may nominate compensation to be paid to a charitable organisation on your behalf.
• Participants may gain insights into their own meditation experiences over time.
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may help researchers better understand meditation practice and the range of experiences practitioners may encounter in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance research aimed at making meditation training and support more informed, accessible, and ethical.

• You will receive a complete outline of all details of the study, including treatment, risks, and procedures, and you will be given the chance to ask study staff questions before you decide whether to participate.
• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time
• Your records relating to this study and any other information received will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.

Who Can Participate:

• Adults aged 18 years or older
• Reside in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, or the UK
• Have practiced within the last four months for at least one month (up to four months) in Mahayana Buddhism (e.g., Zen, Plum Village), Theravada Buddhism (e.g., Insight Meditation, Vipassana), or mindfulness meditation (including Mindfulness-Based Programs or mindfulness-based apps), with an average practice time of at least 40 minutes per week.
• Intend to continue practising meditation regularly in one of the eligible meditation traditions

Who Cannot Participate:

• Those who are monastics or hold a formal role in a religious community
• Resides in a religiously affiliated dwelling (e.g., monastery)

The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is Australia’s top university and a global leader in education, teaching, and research, offering a wide range of study programs and research opportunities to support academic and professional growth.