Michael Atkinson

Based in Durham, UK, Michael Atkinson is a mindfulness professional, teacher educator, podcaster, and writer with over 25 years of meditation experience. As a British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches (BAMBA) registered teacher and member of their Professional Standards Advisory Board, Michael sits at the intersection of contemplative practice and academic rigour. Michael is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at the University of Sunderland, where he also leads the integration of mindfulness into both undergraduate and postgraduate curricula. His academic contributions include publishing in prestigious journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and serving as a reviewer for a range of journals including 'Mindfulness'. His influence in medical education extends nationally as the Co-Chair of the Mindfulness in Medical Education Special Interest Group for the Association for the Study of Medical Education. In this role, he spearheads initiatives to embed contemplative practices into health professions' education, collaborating with leading practitioners to evolve the field. Beyond academia, Michael facilitates evidence-based programs through his private practice, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Compassionate Mindful Resilience (CMR). He further shares his expertise through his podcasts, On the Cushion and Inside Mindfulness, where he explores the teaching and contemplative practices of guest practitioners.

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