Taking a unique, integrated scientific approach to study conscious experience
The Mind and Brain Theme is helping to unravel the mind, brain and consciousness, from a cellular level to self and personal identity.
Understanding how consciousness arises from underlying physiology and brain activity stands out as one of the core scientific challenges of the 21st century. A unique new research centre at Sussex has brought together an interdisciplinary team to study the complex brain mechanisms that give rise to conscious experience.
Unravelling the mystery of consciousness has long been considered to lie beyond the realm of scientific study. However, a unique interdisciplinary group of researchers at the new Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science (SCCS) are taking an integrated approach to the study of consciousness, hoping to shed new light on this age-old problem.
Founded with the help of a generous donation from the Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation, the SCCS brings together expertise in neuroscience, informatics, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence and neuropsychiatry. The Centre is co-directed by Dr Anil Seth in the School of Informatics, and Professor Hugo Critchley, the Chair of Psychiatry at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS). Its research is focused on two complementary areas: using a basic science approach to understand the neural mechanisms that generate consciousness; and studying clinical applications with the ultimate goal of improving diagnosis and therapy.
For more information, refer to the 2010 Annual Research Review.
