Tim Wood

Tim Wood

PhD researcher at the Contemplative Studies Centre, University of Melbourne investigating intense meditation-related experiences, sense of self, and experience appraisal, using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Currently seeking postdoctoral or other research position.

Education

PhD - Psychology (in progress)
University of Melbourne · 2022 – Present
Colorado State University · 2009
University of Colorado, Boulder · 2004

Research and Teaching Experience

Research Assistant (multiple projects) | Tutor, "The Art and Science of Meditation"
University of Melbourne – Contemplative Studies Centre · Melbourne, VIC, Australia · 2023 – 2024

Worked independently and in teams to advance research on meditation effects, including literature reviews, coding in R, and qualitative data analysis.

Tutored a section of an undergraduate meditation course, helping students understand and engage critically with wisdom traditions and their meditative practices.

Selected Publications

"Intense meditation-related experiences (IMREs) and perceived impacts on the sense of self: An interpretative phenomenological analysis"
Wood, T., Kock, M., Van Dam, N. T., Galante, J., Childs-Fegredo, J. (2026)
Mindfulness
DOI
Summary

This study explores how intense meditation-related experiences influence self-experience, identity, and meaning-making using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Mindfulness-Based Programmes for Work Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Vainre, M., Dalgleish, T., Bendriss-Otiko, T., Butler, M., Kirkpatrick, A., Kosugiyama, N., Mariscotti, F., Martinez-Sosa, C., Sideri, A., Sönksen, S., Wood, T., Hitchcock, C., & Galante, J. (2025)
Stress and Health, 41(6), e70123
DOI
Summary

This meta-analysis evaluates randomized controlled trials of mindfulness-based interventions and their effects on workplace performance and wellbeing outcomes.

Exploring the mind-brain relationship to advance mental health research and practice
Karunamuni, N., Wood, T., & Galante, J. (2025)
Current Psychology, 1–21
DOI
Summary

This paper examines theoretical models linking mental phenomena and brain processes and their implications for clinical and psychological science.

Mindfulness Teacher Trainees' Experiences (MTTE): An investigation of intense experiences in mindfulness-based interventions
Jönhagen, E., Wood, T., Niemi, M., & Galante, J. (2024)
PLOS ONE, 19(4), e0301593
DOI
Summary

This study investigates intense experiences among mindfulness teacher trainees within mindfulness-based interventions.

Talks & Presentations

"Energy-Like Somatic Experiences and Meditation"
Presentation · Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences · Online Conference · July 2026
"Impacts of Intense Meditation-Related Experiences (IMREs) on Identity, Self-Narrative, and Meaning Making: A Cross-Sectional Survey"
Poster · International Society for Contemplative Research · University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC · November 2025
"Intense Meditation-Related Experience Impacts on the Sense of Self: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis"
Poster · Association for Bahá'í Studies · Calgary, Canada · August 2025
"Intense Meditation-Related Experience Impacts on the Sense of Self: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis"
Poster · Mind and Life Summer Research Institute · Garrison Institute, NY · June 2025
"Intense Meditation-Related Experience Impacts on the Sense of Self: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis"
Presentation · International Conference on Mindfulness · Bangor University, Wales · August 2024
"Intense Meditation-Related Experience Impacts on the Sense of Self: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis"
Invited Talk · York St John University · York, UK · July 2024
"Identities, Societies, and Consciousnesses: An Interdisciplinary Critique of Contemplative Research"
Panel · Psychology and the Other Conference · Northeastern University London, UK · July 2024
"Intense Meditation-Related Experience Impacts on the Sense of Self: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis"
Invited Talk · KU Leuven · Leuven, Belgium · July 2024
"Intense Meditation-Related Experience Impacts on the Sense of Self: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis"
Panel · International Society for Contemplative Research · University of Padova, Italy · June 2024
"Modelling the Self in Relation to Meditation Practice—Can Different Interdisciplinary Views Ever Be Reconciled?"
Presentation · International Society for Contemplative Research · University of Padova, Italy · June 2024
"Self, Consciousness, and the More-than-Human: A Critique of Contemplative Research"
Panel · Inventing the Human Conference · University of Melbourne, Australia · November 2023