Miss Laura O'Sullivan staff profile picture

Contact details +6469516610

Laura O'Sullivan BA, MA, AFHEA

Assistant Lecturer

School of Psychology

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.

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

O’Sullivan, L., Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N., & Hill, S. (2026). “The Intangible Became Tangible”: Qualitative Insights Into How End-Of-Life Experiences Shape Bereavement. Omega United States.
[Journal article]Authored by: Hill, S., Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L.
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
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: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N., O’Sullivan, L., & Gibson, R. (2024). Trauma or Transcendence? The Relationship Between Near-Death Experiences and Dreaming. Dreaming. 35(1), 1-17
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibson, R., Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
2
Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L., Gibson, R., Ladyman, C., & Tassell-Matamua, N. (2023). Near-Death Experiences and Sleep Disturbance: An Exploratory Study Using Wrist Actigraphy. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 211(11), 856-861
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibson, R., Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L.
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
2
O’Sullivan, L., & Lindsay, N. (2023). The relationship between spiritual intelligence, resilience, and well-being in an Aotearoa New Zealand sample. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health. 25(4), 277-297
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L.
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
16

Conference

O'Sullivan, L. (2025). "Outside the matrix." Sleep and dreaming after near-death experiences. Poster session presented at the meeting of 2025 International Association of Near-Death Studies (IANDS) Conference. Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
[Conference Poster]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.Contributed to by: O'Sullivan, L.
O'Sullivan, L. (2025, August). The Grief-Shaping Power of Spiritual Experiences at the End-of-Life. Presented at 2025 International Association of Near-Death Studies (IANDS) Conference. Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
O'Sullivan, L. (2024, November). Standing together at the veil: End-of-life experiences in Aotearoa and their impacts on grief. Presented at Hospice New Zealand Palliative Care Conference. Wellington, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
O'Sullivan, L. (2024). Do End-of-Life Experiences Impact Grief?. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Association of Near-Death Studies (IANDS) Conference 2024: Transformed by Near-Death and Related Experiences. Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America and Online
[Conference Poster]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
O'Sullivan, L. (2024, June). Dreams at the end of life. Presented at Sleep In Aoteaora (SIA) 2024. University of Otago, Dunedin.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
Read Abstract: abstract icon

view more...

O'Sullivan, L. (2022). Spiritual Intelligence, Resilience, and Well-being of Aotearoa New Zealand University Students. Poster session presented at the meeting of KiwiCAM 2022. Massey University - Manawatū Campus, New Zealand
[Conference Poster]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
O'Sullivan, L. (2022, December). Sleep and Dreaming After a Near-Death Expereince. Presented at KiwiCAM. Massey University - Manawatū Campus, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
Reedy, H. (2018, December). Belonging in Partnership: Staff and students working in partnership to create belonging in informal learning environments. Presented at Australia New Zealand Student Services Association. Melbourne.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Contributed to by: Ngata-Turley, C., O'Sullivan, L.

view less...

Thesis

O'Sullivan, LM. (2022). Spiritual intelligence, resilience, and well-being among Aotearoa New Zealand university students: a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand. (Master's Thesis, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand)
[Masters Thesis]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.
Read Abstract: abstract icon

Other

O'Sullivan, L. (2024, June). Standing Together at the Veil: End-of-Life Experiences in Aotearoa. Presented at Spiritualism NZ Winter Webinar Series.
[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