Consciousness Research Interest Group

What is consciousness? Will we ever be able to quantitatively measure and to understand the nature of consciousness? The Consciousness Research Interest Group provides a platform for the scientists and staff at NIH and the extramural community to discuss, discover, collaborate, and stimulate the research of the science of consciousness. The scope of topics can include, but is not limited to neuroscience, psychology and medicine. Main activities include hosting scientific seminars and meetings to assess the current state of science and to stimulate and inform the future research needs.

NIH Consciousness Research Interest Group Symposium: April 10 from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. ET, 2025. Talk title: “Mapping the Connectivity of Consciousness” by Brian L. Edlow, M.D. from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. This event for NIH staff only. Registration is required and link:

https://cbiit.webex.com/weblink/register/rf4b22369ea89022f7053482189617c32 (external link)

Past Events

November 3, 2022 — Link here to watch. (external link)

“A conceptual framework for consciousness.” by Michael S. Graziano, PhD Professor, Dept. of Psychology and Neuroscience Princeton University.
“Free Will and Its Relationship to Consciousness.” by Mark Hallett, M.D., D.M.(hon) Distinguished NIH Investigator Chief, Human Motor Control Section National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

August 10, 2022 — Link here to watch (external link).

“Wakeup Call: Mental States Are a Key Component of Mental Disorders” by Joseph LeDoux, Ph.D., Professor and Henry and Lucy Moses Professor of Science at New York University
“Tools to Detect Consciousness” by Christof Koch, Ph.D., President, Allen Institute for Brain Science

Mailing List

To join the Consciousness Research Interest Group mailing list, please visit the Consciousness Research Interest Group Listserv home page (external link), then click the “Subscribe or Unsubscribe” link in the right sidebar.