In the context of the exponential interest in spiritual practices in a hurried and anxiety-prone society, the SpirSoP Research Group focuses on activities where applied research in fields such as pilgrimage and eco-spirituality may contribute to social and cultural developments in the South East. Research in spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, zen and contemplation aim to contribute to the enhancement of national policies of spiritual care in areas of health, wellbeing, addiction, grief / loss and education. In line with SETU Research Strategy 2020-2023 the overarching goad is to create a substantial centre of excellence “for world-class research in which individual scholars are given maximum freedom to pursue their investigations".