This year, we’re delighted to share that our UK Annual Gathering will explore the theme of Mindfulness and Lifestyle Medicine.
Beginning with a Day of Practice, the Gathering will take a broad view of how mindfulness supports the whole of life, including how it relates to the ways we live, work and care for ourselves and others.
Across the programme, we’ll draw on the recognised pillars of lifestyle medicine, including areas such as sleep, movement, nutrition, social connection and habits, using these as a gentle framework for exploration. The Gathering will include contributions from those working across these areas, offering a range of perspectives and experiences.
There’ll also be opportunities to connect with others through small group discussions, and to reflect on the work being developed across the field.
As part of the final day, we’ll hear from our CEO, Sharon Hadley, and our Director of Teaching and Training, Claire Kelly, reviewing the work of Oxford Mindfulness and our vision for the next phase. We’ll also come together as a community to join our online monthly Meet the Author session. During the Gathering, this will be with Jon Kabat-Zinn, who’ll share reflections on his book Wherever You Go, There You Are.
An optional 2-day workshop is being offered over the weekend, before the Gathering. Trish Bartley will lead a workshop in St Anne’s College, Oxford – Deepening Inquiry in the Mindfulness-based Group.
Combined, these two events offer a wonderful opportunity to join us in Oxford for five days of learning, practice and connection.
Between the Lines Session with Jon Kabat-Zinn
Would you like to share your work during the Gathering’s Poster Presentation evening?
Gathering Schedule
| Day | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September 2026 09:00 – 17:00 each day |
Optional Workshop:Deepening Inquiry in the Mindfulness-based Group with Trish Bartley Please note: Separate registration is required. Find out more and register. |
| Monday 21 September 2026 09:30 – 17:00 |
Day of Practice with Jake Dartington |
| Tuesday 22 September 2026 09:00 – 16:30 |
Speaker Sessions: Lifestyle and Mindfulness Mindfulness, Food and Eating Behaviours with Dr Christine Ramsey-Wade – UWE Bristol University Mindfulness, Physical Activity & Active Living (Speaker to be announced soon) Mindfulness, Restorative & Healthy Sleep with Dr Dimitri Gavriloff – University of Oxford Mindfulness, Lifestyle, Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing (Speaker to be announced soon) Mindfulness, Habits & Dependencies (Speaker to be announced soon) Mindfulness, Social Connection with Clinical Assistant Professor Ben Rein – University at Buffalo |
| Tuesday evening 18:00 – 20:00 |
Impact and Research Poster Presentation Evening |
| Wednesday 23 September 2026 09:00 – 15:00 |
Session: Oxford Mindfulness and wider community Updates and discussion with Oxford Mindfulnesscolleagues: Sharon Hadley, CEO & Claire Kelly, Director or Teaching and Training |
Further details of the full programme will be shared soon.
Venue & Location of Gathering
University of Oxford, St Hugh’s College, Maplethorpe Building, St Margaret’s Rd, Oxford OX2 6HP, UK
Accommodation can be booked at the gathering directly with the University College here
Share Your Work at our Poster Presentation Evening
Tuesday 22 September 2026 | 18:00 – 20:00
St. Hugh’s College, Oxford, UK
During the Gathering, we’ll be hosting a community evening, featuring Poster Presentations – an opportunity to share your work, connect with peers and contribute to the wider mindfulness community.
We invite submissions in two categories: Impact Posters and Research Posters.
Impact Posters
Share practical applications of mindfulness in real-world settings.
Suitable for:
▪️ Projects, programmes, and service developments
▪️ Educational initiatives and training approaches
▪️ Community-based work and innovations
▪️ Reflections, learning, and outcomes from practice
No formal research required.
Submissions are welcomed from practitioners, teachers, trainers, organisations, and community groups.
Research Posters
Present academic and research-based work related to mindfulness.
Suitable for:
▪️ Research studies (MBCT-focused research)
▪️ Academic projects
▪️ Work from researchers at any stage of their career
If your work isn’t research-based, we encourage you to submit an Impact Poster instead.
Submission process
▪️ Submission deadline: 16 August 2026
▪️ Decisions communicated: 21 August 2026
▪️ Acceptance & registration deadline: 28 August 2026
All presenters are required to register for and attend the Annual Gathering.
Submissions will be reviewed for relevance, quality, and value to the community. Where appropriate, the review panel may recommend moving a submission to the other category.
