How do conscious experience, subjectivity and free will arise from their biological substrates?
Even in the late 20th century, consciousness was considered by many to be outside the reach or remit of science. Now, powerful new combinations of functional brain imaging, computational modelling and basic neurobiology bring real hope that human ingenuity can resolve this central mystery of life. Practically, an enhanced understanding of consciousness will transform clinical approaches to a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, from coma to insomnia, from depression and schizophrenia to autism and dementia.
Founded in 2010 with a generous donation from the Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation, the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science represents a new and multidisciplinary approach to clinical intervention and diagnosis, based on the science of the complex brain networks that give rise to consciousness.
The Sackler Centre was officially opened on April 21st 2010 by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Michael Farthing, with a keynote lecture from Professor Chris Frith of UCL. Also see a recent video with Anil Seth, Chris Frith, Barry Smith and Alok Jha, featuring a debate on consciousness at the Royal Institution; video of the ensuing discussion is here.
ASSC16: The Sackler Centre will host the 16th meeting of the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness, July 2-6 2012, at The Brighton Dome and Corn Exchange. Registration is NOW OPEN! Find ASSC16 on Facebook, and search for us on Twitter with #ASSC16. A draft timetable is now available.
State of Mind: A Consciousness Expo is part of ASSC16 being a citywide celebration of consciousness science. Join us on June 30th at the Brighton Corn Exchange, for an interactive showcase of new technologies that exploit and explore many aspects of consciousness, perception, and human experience
