Grant Awards & Published Studies

PAST GRANT AWARDS

2023 IASD/DSF and DEI DREAM RESEARCH GRANT AWARDS

IASD is proud to announce the Research Grants awarded during the Grant Cycle which ended mid-October 2023. Funding of these grant awards were dependent on public donations received, as well as the Dream Science Foundation, the IASD Diversity initiative as applied to DEI (Diversity Equity Inclusion) qualified research proposals, and individual support for specific research topics such as PTSD. This year we had enough funding to provide partial or full awards to 9 of the 21 excellent proposals received. Those receiving grants included the following:

  • Daniel Morris, BA, Lobsang Namgyl, Geshe, Stanzin Wangden, Dawa Gyaltsen, Tashi Lhamo, MA, Karen Konkoly, MA, Ken Paller, PhD, affiliated with Northwestern University – an IASD/DSF sponsored grant for a study titled What factors determine whether sounds are incorporated into dreams? An overnight serial-awakenings study.
  • Dr. Serena Scarpelli, PhD, Dr. Andrea Galbiati, PhD, affiliated with Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy – an IASD/DSF sponsored grant for a study titled Understanding Sleep EEG Correlates of Dream Recall in Patients with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
  • Xiang-Yu Lu (BA student); Ming-Ni Lee (PhD), affiliated with the National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan – an IASD/DAC sponsored grant for the study titled Investigating Emotion Regulation in Dreams: A Study on the Relationship between Cognitive Reappraisal and Reflective Awareness in Impactful Dreams.
  • Ya-Shuang Peng (MA student), Ming-Ni Lee (PhD); affiliated with the National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan – an IASD/DSF sponsored grant for the study titled The Predictive Effects of Attachment Style and Loneliness on Recurrent Dreams.
  • Filipa Almeida (MSc) and Ana Allen Gomes (PhD), affiliated with the University of Coimbra, Portugal – an IASD/DSF and Ryan Hurd and Lee Adams sponsored grant titled Through nightmare eyes: Nightmare disorder and EMDR therapy in Portuguese adults.
  • Susana Gabriela Torres-Platas, Ken Paller, affiliated with Northwestern University – an IASD/DAC sponsored grant for the study titled – Contemplative Sleep Science: A new avenue for spiritual insight and mental health.
  • Kenna Stephenson, MD; Mark Newman, MS; Pierre Neuenschwander, PhD; Hilary Monsour, PT – an IASD/DSF sponsored grant for a study titled – PINNES: Postmenopausal Women and Immune, Inflammatory, Neuroendocrine, & Frailty Factors Associated with Sleep and Dreaming.
  • William E. Kelly, PhD, , Christine Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd. – affiliated with Neumann University- an IASD/DAC sponsored grant for the study titled Investigating Nightmares, Perceived Stress, Sleep Fragmentation, and Perceived Physical Health
  • George Santos-Garcia, Dom Serrano, M.S., BA, Richard C. Zamora, Ph.D. affiliated with Mount Saint Mary’s University-Los Angeles – an IASD/DAC sponsored grant for the study titled Exploring the Dreams of College Students of Color and First-Generation Immigrants: A Phenomenological Study

2022 IASD/DSF and DEI DREAM RESEARCH GRANT AWARDS

  • Tore Nielsen, PhD, Tobi Matzek, BA and Claudia Picard-Deland, BSc, affiliated with the Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, and the following universities respectively Université de Montréal, Department of Psychiatry & Addictology; University of Ottawa, School of Psychology; Université de Montréal, Department of Neuroscience.  The study is titled “A closer look at flying dreams: building a dataset and scoring criteria for furthering flying dream research.”
  • Wojciech Owczarski at the University of Gdansk, Research Unit for Dream, Memory and Imagination Studies. The study is titled “War-related dreams of Ukrainian female refugees to Poland after February 24, 2022.”  This grant was also supported by a special donation from Ryan Hurd and Lee Adams for proposals that have a direct relationship to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) dream studies.
  • Lluís Fuentemilla, PhD and Alberto Brocchetta, MSc, affiliated with the University of Barcelona Department of Cognition, Education and Developmental Psychology. The study is titled “Examining the neural mechanisms supporting the retrieval of past autobiographical, imagined and dreamed events from the past.”
  • Dr. Sophie Boudrias, of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue.  The study is titled “Updating emotional memory through reconsolidation using visual dream reports in psychotherapy.”
  • Aazim Lawson, MSW, LMSW; Andrusa Lawson, BA; Sahlah Lawson Dubel, BS, MPH, P.M.P. affiliated with the Social Benefit Corporation and the Institute of Dream Studies.  The study is titled “Trauma and BIPOC Dreaming Culture”.  This new DEI dream research grant was funded by donations to support IASD Diversity.

2021

  • Antonio Zadra, PhD, Jenna LaBelle, BSc, Ajar Diushekeeva, BA at the Université de Montréal’s Dream Laboratory, Montréal, Canada: “Thematic and Content Analysis of Positively Toned Dreams”
  • Rachel Raider, BA; Michelle Carr, PhD at the University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, USA: “Effects of Planning on Lucid Dream Induction”
  • Aurélien de la Chapelle (PhD student), Perrine Ruby (PhD) at the Inserm U1028, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL) ; Perception, Attention & Memory Team (PAM), Lyon, France: “Dreaming and emotion regulation: Investigation of dream journals collected during bereavement”
  • Jui-Yi Hsieh (MA Candidate) and Ming-Ni Lee (PhD) at the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan: “The Effects of Boundary Structure and Video Game Experiences on Nightmare Distress: A Study on Taiwanese Dreamers” (DEI grant supported)
  • Laura Sowin, BSc and Remington Mallett, PhD at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Northwestern University, USA: “Dream anchor: A technique to stabilize lucid dream awareness using auditory cues”

2020

  • Sarah Schoch, M.Sc., PhD Student and Martin Dresler, PhD;  work to be performed at the Sleep and Memory Lab, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University in The Netherlands: “The Role of Dreams in Memory Reactivations and Consolidation during Sleep.“
  • Katja Valli, PhD, Salla Lamusuo, MD, PhD, Juha Markkula, MD, PhD; Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Turku, Finland; Sleep & Breathing Center, Turku University Hospital, Finland: “The prevalence, frequency and quality of dreaming-related symptoms in narcolepsy patients and correlation w/psychiatric problems, functional ability and quality of life”.
  • Adriana Alcaraz Sanchez – MPhil; MSc Cognitive Science, BA in Psychology; Centre for the Study of the Perceptual Experience (CSPE), Philosophy Department, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK: “Online study on dreamless sleep experiences.”
  • Anna Ciaunica (PhD) and Helge Gillmeister (PhD); University of Essex (UK) and University of Porto (Portugal): “The estranged self – Exploring the dream continuity of phenomenological self-detachment in Depersonalisation-derealisation disorder.  This grant qualified for support from the dedicated PTSD donation funds.

2019

  • Claudia Picard-Deland, BSc; Karen Konkoly, BA; Wilfred Pigeon, PhD; Michelle Carr, PhD. University of Rochester Medical Center NY, USA: “Overnight serial awakenings to investigate the temporal and stage-specific aspects of memory sources in dreams.”
  • Pilleriin Sikka, MSc; Jarno Tuominen, MA; Antti Revonsuo, PhD; Katja Valli, PhD.  University of Turku, Finland: “Affect Across Different States of Consciousness: From Dreaming to Waking Experiences.
  • Remington Mallett PhD Cand.; Manuela Kirberg, Claudia Picard-Deland, Tore Nielsen PhD. University of Texas at Austin & Monash Univ; Université de Montréal: “Structuring the variety of sleep phenomenology with text mining.”
  • Dr Ceri Bradshaw PhD, Mr Richard Summers, PhD candidate, Dr Rhys Jenkins, PhD. Department of Psychology, Swansea University UK: “REM sleep, dreaming, and prefrontal cortex activity in regular cannabis users versus non-users.”

2018

  • Karen Konkoly; Remington Mallett, Michelle Carr and Ken Paller; Northwstern University (team from the USA and UK): “Testing levels of control in laboratory induced lucid dreams”
  • Anthony Bloxham; Bishop Grosseteste University: “Reactivating Memories in Sleep and Dreams”
  • Matthew Newsom, Washington State University, USA: “Dreaming Identity and Memory in Berlin”
  • Boban Eranimos, Art Funkhouser; Mahatama Gandhi University, Kottayam & Jung Institute, Switzerland; Inda & Switzerland: “An Exploratory Study Of The Eastern Understanding Of Déjà Rêvé (Already Dreamt) Experiences In Kerala – Indian Culture”
  • Scott Sparrow, Mark Thurston, Ryan Hurd and Remington Mallett: “Testing an Integrated Protocol for the Treatment of PTSD-related Nightmares and Derivative Symptoms: Meditation, Dream Reliving and the Ingestion of Galantamine”

2017

  • Michelle Carr, Karen Konkoly, Remington Mallett, Kristoffer Appel, and Mark Blagrove (Swansea University, Sleep Laboratory, Department of Psychology): Testing an early- vs late-morning nap for lucid dream induction in the laboratory.
  • Nori Muster (University of California, Santa Barbara): Dreams of Leaving a Religious Cult.
  • Alwin E. Wagener (University of North Carolina at Greensboro): A New Lens on Dreams and Nightmares: in Relation to PTSD and Insomnia among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
  • Isaac Taitz, and Wendy Packman (Palo Alto University): The Cultural Differences In Bereavement Dream Categories

2016

  • Pilleriin Sikka, MSc; Valdas Noreika, PhD; Katja Valli, PhD; Antti Revonsuo: Finland and UK; Electrophysiological Correlates of Emotions in REM Sleep Dreams.
  • Cristina Banu, BA; Antonio Zadra, Ph.D., Professor: Canada; The Effect of State and Trait Factors on the Occurrence of Dysphoric Dreams and Everyday Dream Content.
  • Scott Sparrow, EdD, Professor, Ralph Carlson, PhD, Professor, Ryan Hurd, MA: University of Texas; Exploring the Effects of Galantamine Paired with Meditation and Dream Reliving on Recalled Dreams.

2015

  • Cloé Blanchette-Carrière, B.Sc., M.Sc. Cand; Tore Nielsen, Ph.D.; Université de Montréal: “Transcranial alternating current (tAC) stimulation: a method for inducing lucid dreams and gaining control over dreams” 
  • Heather Ruth Spence, PhD, Katja Valli, PhD, Carlyle Smith, PhD; performed at a dolphinarium in Quintana Roo, Mexico:  “A foundational exploration of dolphin dreaming through analysis of nocturnal phonations and other behavioral patterns”
  • Caroline L. Horton PhD & Scott Cole PhD;  Bishop Grosseteste University, UK and York St. John University, UK: “The future functions of dreaming: A detailed diary exploration”
  • Wojciech Owczarski, Ph.D. and Monika Żółkoś, Ph.D.; University of Gdańsk, Poland: “Dreams of Auschwitz concentration camp prisoners”

2014

  • Jarno Tuominen. M.A.; Supervisors: A. Revonsuo and K. Valli; University of Turku Finland: “Novel Methods for Sleep Research: A validation study of Interaxon Muse headband and Beddit ballistocardiograph”
  • Josie Malinowski, MA, MSc, PhD; University of Bedfordshire in the UK: “The creativity of dreams: Insight, metaphor, and embodiment”
  • Joshua Black, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. candidate; Brock University in Canada: “Dreams in Bereavement”
  • Dagna Skrzypińska, MA, PhD candidate; Monika Słodka, MA, PhD candidate; supervision Prof Szmigielska; University, Krakow, Poland: “The phenomenology of dream-reality confusion”
  • Elizaveta Solomonova, M.Sc., Ph.D. candidate; Tore Nielsen, Ph.D.; Clifford Saron, Ph.D.; Universities of Montreal, Canada and California Davis, USA: “Effects of an intensive 3-month Shamatha meditation training on changes in dreamed attention, metacognition, emotion-regulation and compassion: A randomized wait-list control study.”

2013

  • Kadia Saint-Onge, BSc; Tore Nielsen, PhD (supervisor); Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine (CARSM) Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal: “Hypoassociativity and overnight memory improvement in idiopathic nightmare subjects: implication of REM sleep and dreaming.”
  • Josie Malinowski, MA, MSc, PhD, Caroline L.  Horton, MA, PhD, fHEA, CPsychol, CSci; a cooperative effort between the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of Bedfordshire (UK) and Leeds Metropolitan University (UK): “Do we dream to assimilate ‘important’ waking life experiences into our memory schemas?”
  • Franc Paul, Diplom Psychologe, Prof. Dr. Michael Schredl, PhD; a cooperation between the Central Institute for Mental Health in Mannheim and the University of Mannheim, Germany:  “The relationship between dream content and the stress system”
  • Dipl.-Psych. Melanie Schädlich, Prof. apl. Dr. Michael Schredl, PD Dr. Daniel Erlacher: Institute of Sports and Sports Sciences, University of Heidelberg, Germany: “Effect of practicing a coordination task in lucid dreams – a sleep laboratory study”

2012

  • Tracey L. Kahan, Ph.D; Stephanie Claudatos, B.S. as lead RA,  California, Santa Clara University “Cognition and emotion in dreaming: Are cognitive skills in dreaming more strongly related to emotional intensity  or to emotional valence?”
  • Wonjin Sim PhD and Clara Hill PhD; Chatham University Penn, US: “International Students’ Dreams During Cultural Transition”
  • Nicola Zippel, PhD, Francesco Peverini, MD.; University of Rome, Italy: “Sleep Apnea, Dream Disorders, and Disruption of the Self: An Integrated Philosophical-Medical Approach”

2011

  • Michelle Carr, MSc Candidate, Tore Nielsen, PhD; Dream and Nightmare Lab, Center for Advanced Research on Sleep Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Université de Montréal: “Implication of task-related dream content in the emotional memory enhancement functions of REM sleep.” 
  • Hélène Tanguay, MSc, ICADC, CH (PhD candidate) University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada: “Drug-dreams in addiction: A study of the impacts of drug-dreams on affect and recovery.”
  • Wojciech Owczarski, Ph.D., Monika Żółkoś, Ph.D.; University of Gdańsk: “Therapeutic effects of the dreams of nursing homes residents”

2010

  • Caroline Horton, PhD; Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK: “The incorporation of emotional memories into dreams: A link to memory consolidation.”
  • Jessica Lara-Carrasco, MSc & PhD Candidate, Tore Nielsen, PhD (director), and Valérie Simard, PhD (codirector); Centre d’étude du sommeil, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Département de psychologie, Université de Montréal:  “Pregnancy dreams: A study of the association between maternal representations in dreams of pregnant women and postnatal depression.” (study also partially funded by an allowance from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research)
  • Nils Sandman M.Sc., supervised by Katja Valli, PhD and Professor Antti Revonsuo; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Philosophy, University of Turku, Finland: “The threat simulation theory and genetics of dreaming: Heredity of nightmares.”

2009

  • Róbert Bódizs, PhD,  Peter Simor, MSc and  Szilvia Csóka, MSc; performing the study at Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Cognitive Science, Hungary: “Dreaming style and cognitive performance: sleep and emotional information processing from a neuropsychological and quantitative EEG perspective”
  • Jayne Gackenbach and Mathew Rosie; Grant MacEwan College Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: “Dream Incorporation of Video Game Play as a Function of Immersion”

2008

  • Tracey L. Kahan, Ph.D. and Kelly Bulkeley, Ph.D.; performing the study at Santa Clara University in California: “Emotion and Reflective Awareness in Dreaming: An Integration of Content and Process Approaches”
  • Jayne Gackenbach, Ph.D.; Grant MacEwan College Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: “Video Game Play, Dream Bizarreness and Creativity”
  • Tore Nielsen, Ph.D., Don Kuiken, Ph.D., and Connie Svob, B.A.  “Treating the nightmares of persons who have recently experienced trauma, loss, or traumatic loss with a toll-free voice-mail system”.  (funded from a special targeted donation for Trauma related research)

2007

  • Philippe Stenstrom (M.Sc.) Department of Psychology, University of Montreal and Tore Nielsen (Ph.D.) Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal; research performed at the Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Sleep Research Centre, Sacré-Coeur Hospital, Montreal: “Effects of REM sleep deprivation on dreaming and episodic memory”
  • Clara E. Hill, PhD, and Charles J. Gelso, PhD.; Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD: “Dream Work in Ongoing Therapy“

2006

  • Ming-Ni Lee, MSc, and Don Kuiken, PhD; Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta, Canada: “Self-Altering Forms of Awareness in Dreams following Loss and Trauma”
  • Ross Levin – Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, NYC and Gary Fireman – Professor of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, MA.:  “The Relationship between Subjective Sleep Complaints and Disturbed Dreaming to Daily Levels of Stress, Coping and Emotional Regulation”

GRANT AWARDEE’S PUBLISHED RESEARCH STUDIES