Kelly Drew Foster, Ph.D. is a faculty mentor in Transpersonal Psychology and Consciousness Studies, as well as the IUPS Administrative Director and member of the Academic Committee. Kelly’s research explores the nature and development of consciousness, with particular attention to how language and relationship shape the construction of selfhood. Her work examines ego-identification as a functional but malleable psychological process, and investigates reflective practices that support metacognitive awareness, stress regulation, intuitive authority, and integrative self-understanding within contemporary life.
With over 20 years of dedicated practice and study in contemplative traditions, Kelly’s background includes intensive training in Vipassana, mindfulness meditation, and self-inquiry. She previously lived and worked within a Tibetan Buddhist community of the Nyingma lineage under Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche and has studied within a variety of other spiritual pathways, including Soto Zen, Advaita Vedanta, Kashmir Shaivism, and Gnosticism. Her passion lies in the intersection between ancient non-dual spiritual practices and modern transpersonal and depth psychologies.
Kelly's interdisciplinary work is enriched by her background in the creative and healing arts. She has over 20 years of training in dance and has been a lifelong visual artist. She approaches art-making as a therapeutic tool and maintains a somatic-based practice rooted in embodied movement. Kelly is also a volunteer Death Doula and offers existential and end-of-life support through The Living/Dying Project and Hospice.