Subject: TOWARD A SCIENCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS 2010, April 13-17, 2010, First Announcement and Call for Abstracts, Call for Pre-Conference Workshop Proposals Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:44:30 -0700 From: Center for Consciousness Studies 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