Brown has developed an official land acknowledgment as part of a set of commitments to build a better understanding of the relationship between the University, the Indigenous peoples of this region, and the land on which Brown is situated.

After a year-long exploration of what “land acknowledgment” means for Brown University in the context of its relationship to Native and Indigenous peoples and lands, the University adopted in May 2022 a set of commitments to establish a foundation for advancing education and broader meaningful engagement about actions and programming that Brown can pursue. 

These commitments include a formal land acknowledgment statement to recognize, honor and create a meaningful acknowledgment of the Narragansett Indian Tribe and their connection to the land on College Hill, as well as a commitment to strengthen investment in scholarship and education. Land acknowledgment often is considered as a first step in a process of truth-telling and a commitment to building understanding of, and accountability to, a history of dispossession.

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We are at a time in history when mindfulness research is rapidly expanding, and mindfulness has become a $1 billion industry in the United States alone. There is great need for methodologically rigorous research to help determine whether reported impacts of mindfulness on health are fad or fact, The Mindfulness Center at Brown leads initiatives in this area. Our researchers include experts from medicine, public health, and humanities to examine mindfulness from all angles. 

Did you know that the Brown and affiliated hospitals over the past 5 years:

  • Ranked 5thin the US for NIH grant funding on mindfulness ($10,445,940).
  • Ranked 4thin the US for number of mindfulness peer-reviewed publications (61 papers).
  • We collaborate with researchers and community-based mindfulness intervention providers across Brown University, the state of Rhode Island, nationally and internationally.  

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The Mindfulness Center at Brown offers evidence-based mindfulness training. Training includes MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) teacher training, mindfulness classes for individuals, and mindfulness training through global affiliates and strategic partnerships. Mindfulness training happens on-site, live on-line, and in person. 

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The Mindfulness Center at Brown University was established in 2017, in collaboration with the Brown University School of Public Health, the Warren Alpert Medical School and the Contemplative Studies Initiative. Top leaders and academics in mindfulness research, came together to address the need for methodologically rigorous research into mindfulness.

In 2018, the Mindfulness Center expanded with the addition of leading researchers, trainers and leaders in the field: Judson Brewer, Dianne Horgan, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Lynn Koerbel, Brenda Fingold, Patricia Holland, Remko van Lutterfeld, Alex Roy, and Pablo Abrante. Under the direction of Eric Loucks, the Mindfulness Center at Brown is now uniquely positioned through its research, training, global presence and foundation of contemplative underpinnings to serve and grow in new directions.

What sets us apart is a truly collaborative and rigorous approach to both research and training joined with a broad global perspective and deep roots in contemplative studies.

The Mindfulness Center at Brown is led by Dr. Eric Loucks, Director, Dr. Judson Brewer, Director of Research and Innovation, and Dianne Horgan, Associate Director for our new Center. The Mindfulness Center is one of Brown University School of Public Health’s internationally renowned research centers and institutes

The Mindfulness Center at Brown brings together top academics in research with leading educators in mindfulness. Dedicated to rigorous research and student-centered education, our goal is to offer programs that improve individual lives and organizational effectiveness.  Our courses are offered in-person and live-online, in our local community, nationally and globally.