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Conversations on Consciousness

What does it mean to say ‘I am’? Is the sense of subjectivity a delusion? Are only humans conscious? What about whales, AI, and electrons? How should we use our consciousness?

All these questions, and many others, will be examined by expert speakers in conversation with one another and with the audience. Perspectives from a wide spectrum of academic disciplines will be explored.

All University members and their guests are welcome to attend. No registration is necessary.
Type: Seminar Series
Series organisers: Associate Professor Kerry Walker (DPAG, University of Oxford), Professor Charles Foster
Timing: 5:30-7:00pm on 29 January, 12 February and 26 February, 2026
Web Address: https://www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/conversations-on-consciousness/
Organising department: Exeter College

Talks:

Thursday 29 January 2025

Conversations on Consciousness: What is consciousness?
Date: 29 January 2026, 17:30 - 19:00
Speaker s: Prof Susan Blackmore (University of Plymouth), Prof Paul Pettitt (Durham University), Professor Ole Jensen (University of Oxford)
Venue: Cohen Quadrangle, Walton Street OX1 2HD
Venue Details: Fitzhugh Auditorium
Organisers: Professor Charles Foster, Associate Professor Kerry Walker (DPAG, University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Thursday 12 February 2025

Conversations on Consciousness: Who or what has consciousness?
Date: 12 February 2026, 17:30 - 19:00
Speaker s: Prof Philip Goff (Durham University), Dr Heather Browning (University of Southampton), Dr Patrick Butlin (University of Oxford)
Venue: Cohen Quadrangle, Walton Street OX1 2HD
Venue Details: Fitzhugh Auditorium
Organisers: Professor Charles Foster, Associate Professor Kerry Walker (DPAG, University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Thursday 26 February 2025

Conversations on Consciousness: What should we do with our consciousness?
Date: 26 February 2026, 17:30 - 19:00
Speaker s: Iain McGilchrist (Oxford), Chris Fletcher (Professorial Fellow and Keeper of Special Collections at the Bodleian Library), Professor Catherine Harmer (Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford)
Venue: Cohen Quadrangle, Walton Street OX1 2HD
Venue Details: Fitzhugh Auditorium
Organisers: Professor Charles Foster, Associate Professor Kerry Walker (DPAG, University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Editor: Kerry Walker