Researchers and Scholars

We are interested in hearing from professional researchers in fields such as psychologists, psychiatrists, neurobiologists, neuroscientists, experimental psychologists, religious studies, philosophers, physicists, biostatisticians, and electrical engineers among many others.

If you are interested in exploring the possibility of joining our research efforts, bringing your own funding, and/or exploring your mid-career sabbatical opportunities,  please email us at DOPS@virginia.edu and submit:

• A brief description of your academic background and interests
• Your current resume or curriculum vitae in English
• A brief research proposal describing a project related to the scope of the research being done at UVA DOPS
• Your plans for providing your own funding related to the research project you are proposing

Your submissions will be reviewed by the DOPS research faculty for their consideration.

This academic paper is the result of a collaboration between Masayuki Ohkado, and Bruce Greyson.  Masayuki Ohkado was on paid sabbatical as a visiting researcher from Chubu University at the time of this project. Dr. Ohkado made special arrangements with the faculty to spend his year long paid sabbatical here to learn about the research being carried out at UVA DOPS, as well as to collaborate on various projects of his own with the DOPS faculty. Numerous academic papers came out of his time here.

Comparative Analysis of Japanese and Western NDEs, by Masayuki Ohkado, Ph.D. Bruce Greyson, M.D.  (Journal of Near-Death Studies, 32(4), Summer 2014)  Decades of studies on near-death experiences (NDEs) have revealed both cross-cultural and culture-specific features (Kellehear, 2009) and that it is important to determine which aspects are attributed to the physiological, biological, or psychological mechanisms shared by all humans and which aspects are of cultural origin. In this article, we examine Japanese NDEs and compare their features with generalizations based on observations of Western NDEs. (pdf)

Over the years, researchers and faculty from other academic institutions and disciplines have used their paid sabbaticals or have found outside funding to support their research projects as visiting researchers here at DOPS. The research projects pursued fell within the scope of the DOPS research endeavors and the visiting researchers enjoyed the support and mentorship of the DOPS faculty while they were engaged in the research projects. Visiting researchers from various related disciplines have worked with the DOPS research faculty on a numerous projects of mutual interest over the years.

We welcome inquiries from any and all such persons who might have an upcoming paid sabbatical or have found a funding source to support them and are interested in the scope of our research.

(Please note, we do not provide course credit, continuing education credit or funding to any visiting researchers for these specially arranged circumstances.)