Conference Description

A conference on formal approaches to the mind-matter relation.


The scientific study of consciousness is a young and thriving field, encompassing empirical and theoretical research of multiple disciplines. This conference aims to bring together researchers whose scientific activity relates to the theoretical and mathematical foundations of this field and to thereby promote the study and creation of models of consciousness and formal approaches to the mind-matter relation.

The conference takes place from 9-12 September 2019 in the beautiful Mathematical Institute of the University of Oxford. It consists of a balanced mix between invited talks, talks by participants and discussion sessions:

Talks by participants:

Participants are invited to apply to present their research in a talk of either 20 minutes or 40 minutes length. See our application page.
Deadline for submissions is 15 June 2019.

Invited speakers:¹

Giacomo Mauro D'Ariano

Giacomo Mauro D’Ariano is professor of theoretical physics at the University of Pavia and a member of the Center for Photonic Communication and Computing at Northwestern University. His primary areas of research are quantum information theory and the foundational problems of modern physics. He has made pioneering contributions to the reconstruction of quantum theory in the framework of operational probabilistic theories. He will present a talk on the formalization of consciousness as information which is inherently private and non-classical, titled »Awareness: An Operational Theoretical Approach«.

Ian Durham

Ian Durham is a professor and chair of the department of physics at Saint Anselm College. His primary research areas are relativistic quantum information, quantum foundations, and the history and philosophy of physics. Recently he has started to explore issues related to consciousness, in particular the nature of free will. He will present a talk entitled »Toward a Formal Model of Free Will«.

Peter Grindrod

Peter Grindrod is a member of Oxford's Mathematical Institute, he is a former non executive director of the Alan Turing Institute and a former president of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. In 2017, he published the seminal article 'On human consciousness: A mathematical perspective', further thoughts on which he will present in a talk entitled »What is it like to be a mathematician? Hypotheses and simulations«.

Stuart Hameroff

Stuart Hameroff MD is Professor of Anesthesiology and Psychology, Director of the Center for Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona, Tucson and lead organizer of 'The Science of Consciousness' conferences. Together with Sir Roger Penrose, he developed the 'Orch OR' theory of consciousness which he will discuss in a talk entitled »Anesthetic action on quantum terahertz oscillations in microtubules supports the Orch OR theory of consciousness«.

Adrian Kent
Adrian Kent is professor of quantum physics at the DAMTP in Cambridge. His main areas of research are the foundations of quantum theory and relativistic quantum cryptography, where he has made numerous seminal contributions. Recently, he started exploring ideas on how conscious observers might deviate from quantum theoretical predictions and has put forward a pioneering model in his article 'Quanta and Qualia'. Title of the talk tba.
Yakov Kremnitzer

Yakov Kremnitzer is a member of faculty at the Mathematical Institute in Oxford. He is the Principal Investigator of the Oxford Mathematics of Consciousness and Applications Network (OMCAN). In his research he explores mathematical approaches to understand the link between quantum collapse models and consciousness and has published on 'Integrated Information-Induced Quantum Collapse'. Title of the talk tba.

Jonathan Mason

Jonathan Mason is based at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford. He is Network Champion for the Oxford Mathematics of Consciousness and Applications Network (OMCAN) and undertakes mathematical researches in to how the brain might be defining the relationship content of consciousness. He will present a talk titled »Expected Float Entropy Minimisation: A Relationship Content Theory of Consciousness«.

William Marshall

William Marshall, assistant professor at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics of Brock University, is a collaborator of Giulio Tononi and has largely contributed to the development and exploration of the mathematics of Integrated Information Theory. His work includes the investigation of spatiotemporal scales of consciousness as modeled by IIT and the creation of the PyPhi framework. Title of his talk tba.

Tim Palmer

Tim Palmer is a Royal Society Research Professor in climate physics, senior fellow at the Oxford Martin Programme on Modelling and Predicting Climate and Professorial Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford. He pioneered the development of probabilistic ensemble forecasting techniques for weather and climate prediction. He will present a talk titled »Creativity and Consciousness: A Consequence of the Brain’s Extraordinary Energy Efficiency?«.

Roger Penrose

Sir Roger Penrose (OM FRS) is Emeritus Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and Emeritus Fellow of Wadham College Oxford. Beyond major contributions as a mathematician and theoretical physicist to general relativity and cosmology he has, together with Stuart Hameroff developed the 'Orch OR' Model for Consciousness, written the celebrated books 'The Emperor's New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds and The Laws of Physics' and 'Shadows of the Mind: A Search for the Missing Science of Consciousness' and founded 'The Penrose Institute', devoted to the study of consciousness, creativity, and the physics of the universe. Title of the talk tba.

Chetan Prakash

Chetan Prakash is an Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at California State University, San Bernardino. He is co-creator of 'conscious agent networks' and has developed the mathematical underpinnings of the interface theory of perception. He will present a talk titled »Structure Invention by Conscious Agents«.

¹ Please note that we support gender equality. Unfortunatley, several female researchers, which we have invited to speak, are unable to attend.

Discussions sessions:

Discussion sessions in parallel groups will focus on specific open questions related to models of consciousness and are intended to give speakers and participants a chance to discuss open questions and exchange new ideas and visions.

Note that participation in the conference requires registration. The conference is open to researchers of all disciplines who have an interest in formal approaches to the mind-matter relation.

This conference is organized and/or supported by:

 

Video Recordings


The recordings of some of the talks at this conference are available online:




YouTube Channel
Models of Consciousness

University of Oxford Podcasts

Apple Podcasts Platform

Conference Booklet


Our conference booklet is available in PDF file format:




Download as PDF  (3.1 MB)

Special Issue


On the occasion of this conference, we are very happy to call for submissions to an Entropy special issue dedicated to formal models of consciousness. The call is open to everyone. For details and criteria for acceptance, cf.:




Entropy Special Issue

Poster Download


Our poster is available in JPEG or PDF file format:




Download as PDF  (9.7 MB)

Download as JPEG  (3.5 MB)

“The most important and characteristic feature ...

... of conscious mental phenomena is very poorly understood. Most reductionist theories do not even try to explain it. (...) Perhaps a new theoretical form can be devised for the purpose, but such a solution, if it exists, lies in the distant intellectual future.”

Thomas Nagel, 1974

Organizers & Advisory Board


Advisory Board:

 

Organizers:

 
  • Johannes Kleiner (Institute for Theoretical Physics, Leibniz University of Hanover)
  • Robin Lorenz (Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford)
  • Robert Prentner (Society for Mind-Matter Research & Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of California, Irvine)

We gratefully acknowledge support from:

Registration

If you would like to attend the conference, please register as described here.

Practical Information

Details about the conference venue, accommodation and social events.

Talk Application

Apply to present your research in a talk of either 20 or 40 minutes length.