EFTA00582704.pdf

[ON HEADED PAPER] Agreement letter for provision of a commissioned research project 11 January 2017 Mr Epstein Address Dear Mr Epstein Re: Hyperscanning EEG Study of Induced Experiences Further to your recent discussions with Ms Karen Samuel we have pleasure in offering to undertake the commissioned research project described below. Please note this letter and the relationship between the parties is subject to Goldsmiths' Standard Terms & Conditions for Provision of a Commissioned Research Project, a copy of which is attached. Capitalised terms used in this letter may be defined therein. In the event of any conflict the terms of this letter shall prevail. We would draw your particular attention to Clauses 5 (Intellectual Property), 6 (Confidentiality); and 7 (Warranty & Limitations on Liability). Current Description of the research project TEAM Principal Investigator (PII Professor Joydeep Bhattacharya Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London Co-Investigator (Co-Il Professor Andreas A Ioannides Lab for Human Brain Dynamics, AAI Scientific Cultural Services Ltd, Nicosia, Cyprus. Collaborator Dr Peter Fenwick Emeritus Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College University of London AIM The principal aim is to explore neural and physiological correlates of meditation experiences in an expert meditator and pupils. THE RESEARCH DESCRIPTION The principal participant will be Alain Forget, whose pupils often report experiences while meditating with him. A pilot study indicated abnormal gamma activity in AFs brain at this time, and causal linking with the student's brain. The mental set of the teacher and student is important so a pairwise meditating/not meditating and attending/not attending stimulus protocol will be used. Subjective reports after each session will be collected. The research will primarily involve EEG hyperscanning method (i.e. simultaneously monitoring two brains). In addition to multivariate EEG signals, additional physiological signals (ECG, GSR etc) will also be monitored. This way we ensure obtaining a rich source of signals generated by both brain and body from the teacher (AF) and his pupil under different instructions. The experimental 1/3 EFTA00582704 protocol will be jointly decided by the PI and the Collaborator, and the data collection will take place at the PI's laboratory at Goldsmiths. The recorded data will be analysed in a comprehensive fashion. Specifically, the neural signals will be source localized to reveal the brain regions involved during such induced experiences. Further, we will apply network analysis to uncover the cortical connectomes within interacting teacher-pupil pair. The data analysis will primarily take place at the Co-I's laboratory in Cyprus. EXPECTED OUTCOME We anticipate the following principal findings: (i) identification of brain areas and brain network underlying meditation induced experiences, (ii) characterization of the information transfer between the brains of teacher and pupil, and (iii) revealing the concomitant brain- body interaction. In short we anticipate generating novel insights about this less understood yet potentially important mode of information transfer between humans. INDICATIVE TIMELINE Finalization of experimental protocol: February 28, 2017 Development, testing and finalization of EEG hyperscanning facilities: March 31, 2017 Screening and recruitment of participants (pupils and teacher): April 31, 2017 EEG hyperscanning data collection: July 31, 2017 Data preprocessing and quality control: August 31, 2017 EEG and physiological data analysis: November 30, 2017 Write-up of reports, conference presentation(s) and academic article(s): January 31, 2018 Price & payment terms In consideration of the Goldsmiths undertaking the research project, the Client will pay Goldsmiths the sum of £85,000. Special Condition Goldsmiths will undertake to pay the Co-I, Professor Andreas Ioannides in Cyprus an amount of £20000 against suitable invoice for the work on data analysis. If you are in agreement with the contents of this letter, and the description of the services to be provided, please counter-sign and return a copy of this letter to the address above. We very much look forward to working with you on this Project. Yours faithfully for and on behalf of Goldsmiths' College Name: Karen Samuel Tel No (44) 20 7 717-2259 Position: Research Finance Accountant Goldsmiths College, University of London Date: 10 January 2016 2/3 EFTA00582705 Read and accepted by: for and behalf of [INSERT CLIENT'S FULL LEGAL NAME OR TITLE] Name: Position: Date: 3/3 EFTA00582706