We are delighted to share with you our 14th International Conference, the theme of which is Transforming Minds Through Compassion.
Over 4 days, the conference programme includes Workshops, Keynotes and Symposia which will explore biopsychosocial perspectives on how compassion can transform our bodies, minds and social relationships. There will be a mix of research, clinical applicaton and experiential practice, and this year we've added some lunch time sessions taster workshops.
Alongside our conference programme there will be space for poster presentations, networking and of course plenty of socialising, with our conference dinner and our second open mic night.
We very much hope to welcome you in October.
These workshops will run from 09.30-16.30 on Monday, 6th October and will take place at our conference venue - Millennium Point in Birmingham. There is also a livestream option for all of our workshops. Abstracts will be added shortly.
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08.00-09.30
09.30-10.00
REGISTRATION
Welcome and Opening Address: Professor Paul Gilbert OBE
10.00-11.00
KEYNOTE: Dr Dan Siegel
Consciousness and Compassion: Opening and Transforming Awareness to our IntraConnected Identity
Chair: Professor Paul Gilbert OBE
11.00-11.30
BREAK
11.30-13.00
SYMPOSIUM: Cultivating Compassion toTransform our Emotional Wellbeing: A Multimodal Approach
Dylan Moloney-Gibb How Compassion Transforms our Emotional and Physiological ExperienceUsing a Digital Three Circle Measure
Dr Chase Sherwell From Synapse to Society: Exploring the Intra- and Inter-personal Mechanisms of Compassion
Associate Professor James Kirby- Unlocking Compassion in Competitive Contexts to Enable Care and Share Behaviours
Chair: Associate Professor James Kirby
13.00-14.15
13.13-13.45
LUNCH BREAK
Experiential Session with Dr Neil Clapton & Dr Syd Hiskey
14.15-15.15
KEYNOTE: Dr Deborah Lee
Compassion and the Transformation of Traumatised Minds
15.15-15.45
BREAK
15.45-16.5
KEYNOTE: Professor Paul Gilbert OBE
Self-Criticism and Self-Flourishing
19.00-23.00
Conference Dinner & Dance
08.15-09.30
08.30-09.00
REGISTRATION
Experiential Practice with Professor Paul Gilbert OBE
09.30-10.30
KEYNOTE: Dr Lorena Llobenes
Psychedelics
Chair: Dr James Hawkins
10.30-11.00
BREAK
11.00-12.30
SYMPOSIUM: Compassion and Transforming the Body
Dr James Hawkins Psychedelics and Mental Health
Dr Lesley Armitage & Dr Zoey Malpus TBC
Dr Olga Maria Klimecki-Lenz Transformations in the Brain and Body with Compassion Training
Chair: Dr Zoey Malpus
12.30-13.45
12.45-13.15
LUNCH BREAK
Experiential Session with Natali Guimy & Dr Lorena Llobenes
13.45-14.45
KEYNOTE: Dr Marcela Matos
Epigenetics
Chair: Professor Paul Gilbert OBE
14.45-15.15
BREAK
15.15-16.45
19.00-
KEYNOTE & EXPERIENTIAL SESSION (via live online link): Dr Patricia Gerbarg & Dr Richard Brown
Breath-Body-Mind
Chair: Professor Paul Gilbert OBCE
Open Mic Conference Social
08.15-09.30
08.30-09.00
REGISTRATION
Experiential Practice Session with Choden
09.15-10.00
10.00-11.00
KEYNOTE: Professor Katherine Berry
Compassion, Attachment and Relationships
KEYNOTE: Professor Michael West
Compassionate Leadership
11.00-11.30
BREAK
11.30-13.00
SYMPOSIUM: Social Dynamics and Compassionate Relationships
Dr. Katharina Förster TBC
Dr Hannah Gilbert Culture and the Therapeutic Relationship Angus Meichan Compassionate Mind Training and Football Coaching
Chair: Dr Hannah Gilbert
13.00-14.15
13.15-13.45
LUNCH BREAK
Experiential session with Choden
14.15-15.15
KEYNOTE: Clinical Professor Derek Griner
Group Therapy
Chair: Professor Paul Gilbert OBE
15.15-15.45
BREAK
15.45-16.15
CONFERENCE ADDRESS: Matt Hawkins
Building Connected, Resilient and Compassionate Communities
16.15-16.45
Poster Presentation Prizes
Dr Wendy Wood
Closing Address
Professor Paul Gilbert OBE
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We recognise that there can be numerous barriers to attending conferences and trainings, and so we introduced, in 2019, an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Fund (EDIF). The EDIF offers grants to assist those who would otherwise be unable to attend our international conference by covering the cost of conference registration. A small number of grants are available in 2025.
To apply, please complete and forward the application form below to:
finance@compassionatemind.co.uk
The deadline for applications is :
5th September 2025 for face to face attendance
30th September 2025 for livestream attendance
We also offer a discount for those from emerging countries - please see our pricing section for more information.
Those who wish to pay via invoice, or to pay via different method, please download and complete the booking form underneath the Eventbrite Tab.
Community Members are entitled to discounted rates for both our face-to-face and online conference and workshops. We offer discounts for those from emerging countries (please see the prices for 'emerging'). As there is no standard list of emerging countries, we have based this list on those provided by similar conferences.
Each poster chosen for display will be allocated a poster board. The poster boards are portrait and take an A0 size poster. Posters will be pinned onto boards, either portrait or landscape. Unfortunately, there is no facility for audio-visual presentations in the poster display area and no electrical outlets available. Your presentation should be delivered using only the materials fixed to the poster board.
We request that presenters attend as much of the conference as possible (at least 2 out of 4 days). Poster presenters should arrive approximately 15 minutes before registration to set up their display materials. Please note that no responsibility can be taken for any loss or damage to your poster or any other display materials and putting up your poster is taken as acceptance of these conditions.
Please make sure that the information on your poster is clear and visible. It is essential to include a clear, complete heading to enable people to identify the poster and the presenter. As a general rule, it is recommended that the title be in 3 cm print or larger. The authors and the affiliations in 1.5 cm print. Please include an abstract typed in a large, clear type and several large, clearly labelled graphs and other visual aids. Figures should take up a regular page, but even larger materials would be desirable. If tables are included, they should probably be larger than a standard sheet of paper. Pictures, diagrams, and other materials of adequate size are often helpful. A useful rule here is that your material should be easily read from a distance of 1 to 2 metres. All materials you wish to display should be related to your presentation and the materials described in the abstract you submitted to the Compassionate Mind Foundation.
The basic rule is to provide a short, clear, non-technical description of what you did, why you did it, and what you found. Generally, you should not go into detail regarding subjects, apparatus, or details of procedure — those who want to learn more can request a full copy of the paper. For example, you should keep references and reviews of the literature to a minimum. The format requires you to be bold in your style and to condense complicated descriptions into a few short sentences. Above all, a poster is not just a regular paper in large text. It is a discussion-oriented format. The poster should communicate the issue and conclusion. The discussion in person with conference delegates should fill in the details.
Individuals may view your poster at coffee breaks or lunch. The conference committee request that you should make yourself available to discuss the materials and answer questions for at least 15 minutes of the break and the last 30 minutes of lunch. Many presenters wish to provide handouts about their project. These may include an abstract of the paper or perhaps a copy of the complete paper itself. Other authors prefer to send reprints of their paper by email after the conference
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We will confirm the final details of the event, 7-10 days before the start date.
Please contact us as soon as possible on finance@compassionatemind.co.uk for any cancellations. Refunds, less a 20% administration fee, will be made if cancellations are received in writing up to six weeks (28th August 2024) before the event. Any cancellations received after this time will not be eligible for a refund. We regret, refunds for failure to attend cannot be made but you can transfer your event fee to a future event within 12 months.
Please note that information about the event and venue may be subject to change and cancellation. Occasionally, an event may have to be cancelled or postponed. We will try and inform you of any changes and cancellations as soon as possible via email.
For face-to-face attendees: We cannot be held responsible for any resulting costs you may incur for travel, accommodation, any other related goods or service or other compensation in the event of any changes or cancellation. Lunch provided at the event will be vegetarian and will include eggs, but no meat. However, Please advise us of any dietary requirements on the booking form and the venue will try to accommodate your request. For full details see our terms and conditions.
For more information :
Contact us
