• Dahshur, Egypt

• March 23rd to 29th, 2025

• 950€ - Participation fees include accommodation for 6 nights, all meals, transport to/from the airport and winter school fee.

• A limited amount of bursaries will be available for participants who wouldn’t be able to attend otherwise, covering part or all of the fees

• 20 participants

• Application deadline: December 8th 2024 2024, 23:59 anywhere on earth

Consciousness research has grown into an interdisciplinary field of science, spanning philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, physics, mathematics, and more. The core questions about the nature of consciousness feel particularly timely today, as machines increasingly interact with humans in ways that can seem almost conscious. However, the rapid development of consciousness science, branching into various subfields, can make it feel daunting for newcomers to enter the field.

Our one-week Winter School offers an accessible, comprehensive overview of the major research directions within consciousness science. Through keynotes and hands-on tutorials led by leading experts, participants will engage with a range of scientific approaches, build connections, and find inspiration to navigate their paths in consciousness research.

We welcome applications from early-career researchers and students of all levels, from undergraduate to PhD.

Program

The event begins with two days introducing the theoretical background essential for studying consciousness. The first part will cover philosophical approaches, followed by an exploration of key theories in the field. The next three days will each spotlight a distinct disciplinary framework: neuroscience, computational / mathematical approaches, and psychological studies. Each day includes at least two online keynotes, delivered by prominent experts from the relevant subfields.

In addition, we will hold tutorials, focusing on how the introduced frameworks might be used to guide your research, both from theoretical and experimental perspectives. These interactive, hands-on tutorials will be given by top researchers onsite.

By the end of the week, you will gain new knowledge, a network of friends and potential collaborators, and a whole new perspective of the field of consciousness.

Scientific Chair

MESEC Winter School is honored to have Prof. David Chalmers as the scientific chair of our event. A luminary in the fields of philosophy and consciousness studies, Dr. Chalmers is best known for formulating the ‘hard problem’ of consciousness. His most recent book, Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy (2022), examines the philosophical implications of virtual reality and how technology might alter our understanding of consciousness and reality itself. He is University Professor of Philosophy and Neural Science, and Co-Director of the Center for Mind, Brain, and Consciousness, at New York University. We hope you will join us for an inspiring week with Dr. Chalmers as he brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective that bridges philosophy, cognitive science, and emerging technology!

Location

Ancient Egyptian philosophy considered consciousness to be an important aspect of human experience, strongly tied to the concept of the “soul”, or life force [Wiki]. Therefore, Egypt is a great location for learning and discussing consciousness studies and theories of consciousness. The warm climate dominates in Dahshur even during March, which provides participants with ample opportunity for outdoor conversations, tutorials, and activities. 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.

Bursary

At the MESEC Winter School, we understand that the cost of attending events like ours can be a barrier for some early-career researchers. That's why we are pleased to offer a bursary program to help cover the participation fees and travel cost for those who might not be able to afford it otherwise. Our bursary program is open to all qualified early-career researchers and students, undergraduate to doctoral, and is designed to help make the MESEC Winter School more accessible to a diverse group of attendees. If you are interested in applying for a bursary, you will find a section in the Winter School application form to provide reasons for applying and attach any documentation.

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

Inclusivity and Safety

At MESEC, we are committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure a safe, inclusive environment, where participants and speakers from diverse backgrounds and communities feel welcome. All attendees will be picked up directly from Cairo Airport and transported by shuttle to our venue in Dahshur, a peaceful and secluded location in the desert. The venue, which includes accommodations, the lecture hall and discussion spaces, is within a private property and will be occupied exclusively by Winter School attendees and a few members of venue staff. We’ve previously hosted a highly successful Winter School at this location, attended by participants from diverse backgrounds and communities. Rest assured, we are also carefully monitoring the political situation in the region.