RESEARCH

Independent Research Project

In October 2020, Fergus was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This greatly impacted our lives. Since then, we have launched an independent research project, exploring approaches to well-being and quality of life when living with a serious neurological condition.

Our work has three main aspects:

  1. Exploring new ways to reduce or eliminate Parkinson’s symptoms by addressing underlying causes of stress.

  2. Investigating the deeper meaning of illness—not just as a limitation, but also as a potential catalyst for living a deeper, more fulfilling life.

  3. Understanding the role that self-leadership can play in reshaping narratives of wellbeing and quality of life.

We work with other professionals and draw from a range of disciplines, including psychotherapy, art-based methods, coaching, nutrition, movement and meditation, and we also draw on our own backgrounds in qualitative research.

We are not making any claims about having a cure - we are exploring new and empowering ways to live with a chronic condition. Our work seems to have made a significant difference to Fergus’ quality of life: five years on from his diagnosis, Many of Fergus’ symptoms have been reduced or eliminated.

Film Project

As we continue with the this work, we’ve decided to share our journey in a film. Our goal is to share what we've learned, spark inspiration, and open up constructive dialogue on the approach we've taken. The film will serve as a tool for communication and as a means to deepen and refine our own understanding. In this sense, the film is both part of our independent research project and a way to engage in dialogue with others.

We are excited to be collaborating with filmmaker and anthropologist Jeppe Lerche on this project. Together we’ll be working on the film with a target completion date of September 2026.

You can see a teaser for the film here.

For any inquiries you can contact us at this address: fma@crossfieldseuropa.com.

As well as the work with Parkinson’s, we are engaged in various other research activities, which are briefly outlined below.

Fergus’ Research

I completed my PhD in 2018. The title is The Dynamic Phenomenology of Conscious, Occurrent Thinking: A First-Person Approach. In it I explore the nature of the experience of thinking from a phenomenological perspective. Drawing on concepts and terminology from the field of cognitive phenomenology in philosophy of mind, I make various claims about the experience of thinking that challenge some of the current and traditional views. You can download the final text and other related papers here.

My PhD is also available as a paperback book which you can buy on Amazon here.

Charlotte’s Research

Since 2007, I have been engaged in research across a range of professional contexts. Working as an entrepreneur, CEO, coach, educator, and academic, my experience is that a research mindset inspires an attitude of questioning, attentiveness, and wonder.

Over time, I became increasingly aware that how we attend to ourselves and the world carries moral implications. This insight led me to begin documenting my own practice of attention. From there, I initiated a longitudinal action research project with senior executives, a process that ultimately culminated in a PhD. The journey proved deeply transformative, both professionally and personally.

At the University of the West of England’s Bristol Business School, I teach MBA and MSc students from around the world. This work continues to inform my research into how personal narratives shape our sense-making, guide our actions, and influence what we notice — and what we overlook.

Alongside this, I have a long-standing research partnership with Dr Peter Simpson, in which we investigate the relationship between practices of attention and Negative Capability. Together, we have published a book exploring this inquiry in depth.

A full list of my publications is available here.