School of Psychology staff
You can make a toll-free call to a staff member at any campus if you are within one of the free calling areas below. Ring your local campus number followed by the staff extension number.
- Auckland campus 64 9 414 0800
- Manawatū campus 64 6 356 9099
- Wellington campus: 64 4 801 5799
Contact details +6469516610
Laura O'Sullivan BA, MA, AFHEA
Assistant Lecturer
School of PsychologyMy research interests include non-ordinary or extraordinary human experiences, such as unusual or spiritual end-of-life experiences and deathbed phenomena, near-death experiences, sleep and dreaming experiences (i.e., sleep paralysis, out-of-body experiences, lucid dreaming, and pre-cognitive dreams), after-death communication, and other altered states of consciousness. Additionally, I am interested in the psycho-social-spiritual impacts of the experiences.
My PhD explores unusual or spiritual experiences at the end-of-life and how they impact grief for bereaved loved ones. I currently have a survey open at the moment, that bereaved loved ones can participate in: https://massey.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_29KbSTWtSnDfZau
Active research surveys:
1. Unusual or Spiritual Experiences at the End of Life
My PhD explores unusual or spiritual experiences at the end-of-life and how they impact grief for bereaved loved ones. I’ve created a survey to explore these experiences and how they relate to grief. Even if you haven’t had any such experiences yourself, your participation is still incredibly valuable as you’ll help form a comparison group.
🔍 Who can take part?
- Aged 18 or over
- This survey is open worldwide 🌎
- Have experienced the death of a loved one (this could be a family member, friend, or someone else close to you, and the loss can have occurred at any time)
🕒 The survey should take between 15 and 30 minutes to complete.
🔗 You can find more information and take the survey here: https://massey.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_29KbSTWtSnDfZau
2. NDE and sensory processing and interpersonal sensitivities.
Have you had a near-death incident? Have your sensory processing or interpersonal sensitivities changed since your event? Or perhaps they haven’t - either way, we want to hear from you!
Everyone is welcome to participate - even if you haven’t had a near-death incident. Your input helps us build a valuable comparison group.
🕒 The survey should take no more than 15 minutes of your time
🌎 This survey is open worldwide to those aged 18+
👉 https://massey.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Dee1f8ctii9OIK
My research interests include non-ordinary or extraordinary human experiences, such as unusual or spiritual end-of-life experiences and deathbed phenomena, near-death experiences, sleep and dreaming experiences (i.e., sleep paralysis, out-of-body experiences, lucid dreaming, and pre-cognitive dreams), after-death communication, and other altered states of consciousness. Additionally, I am interested in the psycho-social-spiritual impacts of the experiences.
My PhD explores unusual or spiritual experiences at the end-of-life and how they impact grief for bereaved loved ones. I currently have a survey open at the moment, that bereaved loved ones worldwide can participate in: https://massey.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_29KbSTWtSnDfZau
Professional
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts - Massey University (2019)
- Master of Arts - Massey University (2022)
Fellowships and Memberships
- Member, Higher Education Academy (Associate Member/Fellow) (2023)
Research Expertise
Research Interests
- End-of-life experiences (ELE) or deathbed phenomena
- Other non-ordinary or exceptional human experiences, including near-death experiences (NDE) and after-death communication (ADC)
- Dreaming experiences (lucid dreaming, out-of-body experiences, sleep paralysis, precognitive dreams, etc.)
- Spirituality
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Psychology (170100):
Psychology And Cognitive Sciences (170000)
Research Outputs
Journal
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibson, R., Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L., Tassell-Matamua, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibson, R., Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L., Tassell-Matamua, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L.
Conference
[Conference Poster]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.Contributed to by: O'Sullivan, L.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.

[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.

[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Contributed to by: Ngata-Turley, C., O'Sullivan, L.
Thesis
[Masters Thesis]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.

Other
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
Media and Links
Media
-
05 Aug 2025 - Newspaper
The Post - Manawatū Standard
Researcher investigates unexplained experiences at time of death
Professor Emeritus
Prof Ian M Evans
Honorary Teaching and Research Fellow
Dr Ross Flett
Honorary Research Fellow
Dr Amanda Young-Hauser
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Last updated on Tuesday 15 July 2025

