Monday, September 21, 2009

TOWARD A SCIENCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS 2010

Next year, the conference is back in Tucson. Always fun and interesting. And in April, it isn't yet so damn that consciousness ceases to function coherently, so it's a good time to visit. Would love to Alva Noe and Jonah Lehrer speak here.

TOWARD A SCIENCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS 2010
April 13-17, 2010
Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona

Sponsored by:
The Center for Consciousness Studies,
The University of Arizona
http://www.consciousness.arizona.edu

The ninth biennial Tucson conference Toward a Science of Consciousness will take
place April 13-17, 2010 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona. The
Tucson conferences are known for rigorous, inter-disciplinary approaches to
conscious experience. As in previous conferences, the program will include
Plenary and Keynote talks, Concurrent talks, Poster presentations, Art/Science
demos and exhibits, Pre-Conference workshops, Side trips and Social events.

Session themes will include:

Brain default networks
Stimulus-independent thought
Mind wandering
Non-conscious processing
New technologies
Machine consciousness
Body consciousness
Self and Transformation
William James Centennial

Plenary and Keynote speakers will include:

John Bargh
David Chalmers
Karl Deisseroth
Henrik Ehrsson
Ben Goertzel
Malia Mason
Marcus Raichle
Jonathan Schooler
Robert Shulmer
Jeff Warren

A major focus for the conference will be the inter-related topics of
Stimulus-independent thought, Brain default networks, Mind wandering, and
Unconscious processing.

Historically, brain correlates of consciousness have been approached along
hierarchical sensory processing, arousal and response. However recent work on
conscious brain activity in the absence of sensory inputs reveals brain default
networks, or the brains dark energy. How does this activity relate to
consciousness? To internally generated states like meditation, fantasy or mind
wandering? To global workspace theory? Is hierarchical thalamo-cortical
activity necessary for consciousness? Or can the processes underlying
consciousness self-organize through synchrony?

We are pleased to have the two major pioneers in brain default networks as
keynote speakers. Marcus Raichle and Robert Shulmer (separately) have opened
doors on hidden brain activities, but have different views on their relation to
consciousness.

Jonathan Schooler and Malia Mason have imaged brain activity moving through
default networks, and correlating with mind wandering. John Bargh has explored
non-conscious processes governing behavior, free will and the boundary between
conscious and nonconscious processes. Karl Deisseroth has pioneered a new
technology of brain-interface.

Other plenary session themes will include Body consciousness, with Henrik
Ehrsson on conscious awareness of body, and prosthetic devices, and Machine
consciousness, with AI leader Ben Goertzel discussing a bubble of awareness in
computational systems. Jeff Warren, author of Head Trip will give a first
person experiential presentation. Other Plenary sessions will include a William
James Centennial, and Self and Transformation.

In addition to Keynote and Plenary talks, Pre-conference Workshops, Concurrent
Talks, Posters, Art/Tech Demos, Social Events, and Side Trips will occur in the
Tucson conference tradition.

For Information see: http://www.consciousness.arizona.edu/Tucson2010.htm

On behalf of the Program Committee - Toward a Science of Consciousness 2010
Stuart Hameroff - Co-chair
David Chalmers - Co-chair
Bernard Baars
Anthony Freeman
Al Kaszniak
Christof Koch
Uriah Kriegel
Hakwan Lau
Marilyn Schlitz

Abi Behar-Montefiore, Manager, Center for Consciousness Studies, University of
Arizona - center@u.arizona.edu

TSC 2010 Conference Abstract Submission System will be available via the CCS
website after September 28, 2009 Schedule of Deadlines -- Tentative
December 1 Abstracts Due
January 5 Decisions
February 15 Early Registration Due
March 1 Final Abstract Edits Due

Call for Pre-Conference Workshop proposals
Toward a Science of Consciousness 2010
April 12-17, 2010
http://www.consciousness.arizona.edu

The ninth biennial Tucson conference Toward a Science of Consciousness will
occur April 12-17, 2010 at the Tucson Convention center, Tucson, Arizona. See
http://www.consciousness.arizona.edu

As in previous years, the opening Plenary session on Tuesday afternoon April 12
will be preceded by pre-conference workshops held in three 4 hour sessions
1) Monday April 12, 9 am to 1 pm
2) Monday April 12, 2 pm to 6 pm
3) Tuesday April 13, 9 am to 1 pm

The conference Plenary program opens Tuesday April 13 at 1:45 pm.

Proposals for pre-conference workshops are invited in all areas related to
understanding conscious experience. Workshops provide in depth, detailed
treatments of various methodologies, perspectives, reviews and approaches.
Workshops may be solo presentations, or include two or more presenters.
Attendance fees are $75 for 4 hour workshops and $125 for full day workshops,
split evenly between presenter(s) and the conference which provides the room,
A-V, promotion/advertisement and refreshments. A minimum number of registrants
will be required.

Workshop presenters (up to 2 per workshop) also receive free registration for
the conference. Please submit a 500 word (or less) abstract/summary and
presenter information by email (or attachment) directly to
center@email.arizona.edu Deadline for Workshop proposals is October 20, 2009.
Submitters will be notified by November 15.

Sincerely,
Arlene 'Abi' Behar-Montefiore

Manager
Center for Consciousness Studies
University of Arizona
Dept. of Psychology
POB 210068 - 1503 E. University Blvd. Rm 312
Tucson, AZ 85721-0068 USA
http://www.consciousness.arizona.edu
TSC-Tucson 2010 April 11-17, 2010
Office/DL: 520-621-9317
Cell: 520-444-2813
Fax: 520-626-6416

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