The Science of Social Justice: An Interdisciplinary Approach Towards Healing Intergenerational Trauma with Dr. Sará King

About the Event:

The Science of Social Justice is an interdisciplinary theoretical framework developed by Dr. Sará King that uses the biopsychosocial model of health as well as interpersonal neurobiology and contemplative practices to study the impact of systemic oppression on marginalized communities, as well as it proposes a framework towards healing intergenerational trauma. This talk will explore several topics including the research trajectory that informed the development of this framework; the relationship between chronic pain and chronic stress as they relate to identity and health outcomes; and the relationship between mindfulness and art as healing practices. Dr. King will propose a new way of defining social justice that is oriented around healing, as well as a new technological framework that is fundamentally grounded in an inclusive and empowering vision of individual and collective health and wellbeing.

Register at z.umn.edu/wellbeingseries

About Dr. King

Sará Yafah King M.A., Ph.D. is a mother, a neuroscientist, medical anthropologist, political and learning scientist, education philosopher, social-entrepreneur, and certified yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor. She specializes in the study of the relationship between mindfulness, art, complementary alternative medicine, community health and social justice. She is currently a post-doctoral fellow in Neurology at Oregon Health Science University in the Oregon Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Neurological Disorders, a Garrison Institute Fellow, and a core member of Google’s well-being think tank “Vitality Lab”. In 2021, she made the November cover of Yoga Journal Magazine as a “Game Changer” for her award-winning work bridging neuroscience, social justice and contemplative practices. In 2022, she was also named one of the “10 Most Powerful Women in Mindfulness” by Mindful Magazine.

About the Bakken Center:

The University of Minnesota’s Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing serves as Minnesota’s most trusted wellbeing leader.

The Center enriches health and wellbeing by providing exemplary interprofessional education, conducting rigorous research, delivering innovative engagement programs, and advancing innovative models of care. It is our vision to advance the health and wellbeing of individuals, organizations, and communities through integrative health and healing.

Our faculty – nearly 80 in number – are leaders from diverse academic backgrounds, and are passionate experts in their fields. More than 1,700 students take our courses each academic year, and thousands participate annually in our community programs and workshops.

Founded in 1995, the Center is housed within the University’s health sciences, and is aligned with the University’s School of Nursing.