The scientific exploration of consciousness spans across a wide range of disciplines: from biology to philosophy, maths and physics to psychology — and experimental approaches, from introspection of mental states, psychophysical objective measurements to mathematically inspired models. This naturally results in a dramatically fragmented field, hard to navigate and almost impossible to grasp for a newcomer.

This is why we created a unique Winter School format. In this year’s edition of the event, we will provide a comprehensive theoretical and practical overview of current topics and questions in consciousness research. With keynotes and hands-on tutorials given by leading researchers in the field, attendees will have the opportunity to gain knowledge, form new connections, and pave their way in consciousness research.

We welcome applications from all early-career researchers and students, undergraduate to doctoral.

Program

During the school, we will zoom in on various aspects of the science of consciousness, covering from basics to current controversies. This year’s topics introduce the foundations of current consciousness research and cover themes such as theoretical frameworks and methodological paradigms.

The school is focused on onsite in-depth discussions, and will include a mix of online keynotes, on-site tutorials, and participant-led discussions, aiming to confront different and complementary perspectives in the field. This format incentivizes critical thinking, asking questions, developing new ideas, and networking with other curious researchers in a scenic environment. By the end of the week, you will gain new knowledge, a network of friends and potential collaborators, and a whole new perspective on the field of consciousness.

We encourage all eligible researchers to apply, and we look forward to welcoming you to the MESEC Winter School!

Scientific Chair

MESEC Winter School is honored to have Prof. Liad Mudrik as the scientific chair of our event. A pioneer in collaborative efforts in the field of consciousness, her research explores the effects of cognition on conscious and unconscious perception, the comparison of theories of consciousness, and consciousness' role in voluntary action. She is a professor at Tel Aviv University as well as the co-lead of COGITATE consortium, an adversarial collaboration between GNW and IIT.

For more information, visit her website.

Location

From Salvador Dali to Juan Miro, Catalan artists have a long history of exploring the human mind, our emotional landscape, and our ability to self-reflect. Thus, the sunny Catalunya is an ideal location for the MESEC Winter School, where we will delve into the depths and boundaries of experience. The beautiful and calm mountains, an hour and a half from Barcelona, will provide us ample opportunities for endless discussions, intense tutorials, and extra-curricular experiences. The scenic, isolated venue we chose for the Winter School aims to facilitate a comfortable and welcoming environment for fruitful dialogues and exchanges of views.

Bursaries

At MESEC, we are committed to ensuring that financial constraints don't hinder early-career researchers from attending events like MESEC Winter School. Our bursary program aims to alleviate participation fees and travel expenses of selected participants, with the goal of making the Winter School accessible to a diverse range of researchers and students, from undergraduates to doctoral candidates. While we strive to assist as many individuals as possible, the number of bursaries available is limited.

All information regarding bursaries is available within the application form.

• Banyoles, Catalunya

• From March 18th to March 24th, 2024

• 900€ - participation fees include all expenses on-site (i.e., housing, food)

• Bursaries are available to participants who wouldn't be able to attend otherwise, covering part or all of the fees

• Application deadline: Jan 7th 2024