Contact details +6469517967

Dr Nicole Lindsay PhD

Senior Lecturer

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Psychology

My research is primarily focused on spirituality, death, near-death experiences, exceptional human experiences, and consciousness. I also have an interest in environmental or ecopsychology. Both research streams are underpinned by the concept of nonduality, or the idea that the human mind and the natural world cannot be separated. I conduct quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method research projects, but my experience and interest is primarily qualitative.

Professional

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (2018)

Certifications and Registrations

Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Spirituality, consciousness, exceptional human experiences, near-death experiences, ecopsychology.

Thematics

21st Century Citizenship, Resource Development and Management, Health and Well-being

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Psychology (170100): Psychology And Cognitive Sciences (170000): Psychology not elsewhere classified (170199): Psychology of Religion (170111): Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance (170112)

Research Projects

Current Projects

Project Title: Tau ana te ora - Karakia pathways to wellbeing

The idea that our thoughts and intentions can influence others from a distance remains a provocative and largely unexplained phenomenon in modern psychological science. Yet, while Western scholarship continues to grapple with notions of ‘distant intentionality’ or ‘non-local perturbation’, this practice is not only widely accepted, but skillfully applied within Rongoā Māori (Māori healing practices), challenging the limitations of the biomedical model and the current scientific paradigm. This rangahau (research) will take an integrated mātauranga and Western scientific approach to exploring the effects of distant healing intention (DHI) through the use of karakia, adopting a ‘research at the interface’ approach as articulated by Mason Durie. Using Electroencephalography (EEG) and electrodermal activity (EDA), it will explore the remote effects of karakia at a distance on human physiological responses, using a 'bonded pairs' experimental protocol.

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Date Range: 2025 - 2027

Funding Body: Health Research Council of New Zealand

Project Team:

Dr Nicole Lindsay - Project Leader

Completed Projects

Project Title: Ka tangi te rakau: Connecting with plants using biodata sonification and rongo ā wairua

This project combines rongo ā wairua (intuitive knowing) and Western technology to reveal the secret language of plants. Placing electrodes on the surface of leaves, real-time biological data is converted into musical notes, creating a plant waiata which responds to internal and external stimuli, like touch, light and sound. The initiative will engage with at least three low socio-economic kura reo Māori schools in remote Northland. Delivered in te reo Māori, students will monitor and interpret plant signals and sounds through the lens of te ao Māori, enhancing rongo ā wairua skills, environmental connectedness and enriching experiences of science and technology.

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Date Range: 2024 - 2025

Funding Bodies: MBIE: Unlocking Curious Minds; Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Project Team:

Dr Nicole Lindsay - Project Leader

Research Outputs

Journal

Request Academic Output

Sullivan, F., & Lindsay, N. (2026). Phenomenology and Interpretations of Sleep Paralysis with an Aotearoa New Zealand Sample: Cultural Nuances and Clinical Implications. Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online.
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N.

Read Online:

Lindsay, N., Brough, N., Gibson, R., O'Sullivan, L., & Tassell-Matamua, N. (2025). “Outside the matrix.” Dreaming after near-death experiences: A qualitative analysis.. Psychology of Consciousness Theory Research and Practice.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibson, R., Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L.

Read Online:

Read Abstract: abstract icon

Benson, HAN., Grant, A., Lindsay, N., & Hine, D. (2025). Understanding the role of psychological distance in preventing the spread of kauri dieback. PLoS ONE. 20(10), Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0334977
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N.