The Science of CONSCIOUSNESS Conference

The Science of CONSCIOUSNESS Conference

is now presented by the
Arizona Astrobiology Center

April 6-11, 2026
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort | Tucson AZ

The Science of Consciousness (‘TSC’) conference is the world’s longest running inter-disciplinary conference on rigorous approaches to all aspects of the study and understanding off consciousness, the nature of existence and our place in the universe. TSC emphasizes broad and rigorous approaches to all aspects of the study and understanding of consciousness. Topical areas include neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, biology, quantum physics, cosmology, meditation and altered states, AI/machine consciousness, culture and experiential phenomenology

TSC has alternated yearly since 1994 between Tucson, Arizona USA and elsewhere including Italy, Denmark, Japan, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Hong Kong, India, California, Switzerland, Finland, and Taormina, on the island of Sicily. The 2025 TSC was held in Barcelona, Spain (July 6-11) preceding the Barcelona Festival of Consciousness

We face a crossroads in the age-old study of consciousness. Over the past thirty years approaches to understanding consciousness have diverged along two distinct paths: 1) ‘neurocomputational’ views of the brain as a complex computer of simple neurons, a view compatible with AI systems becoming conscious, and 2) ‘funda-mental’ views in which consciousness is intrinsic to the universe, connected to the brain through quantum biology. Exploring the funda-mental view, TSC embraces neuroscience biology far more rigorously than AI-compatible simple neurons. Ironically, conscious AI may be most likely to occur in biomimetic quantum computers.

2026 TSC Conference Themes

• Photons in the brain

• Origins of life and consciousness

• Mitochondria and consciousness

• Awakening & enlightenment

• Quantum brain biology

• Consciousness and reality

• Can AI be conscious?

• Psychedelic actions in the brain

• Quantum AI

• Measuring correlates of consciousness

• Cerebral organoids and consciousness

• ‘Eschermatics’ - Consciousness and geometry

• Extra-ocular vision – A critical assessment

Call for Abstracts

Abstracts: Oxford Abstracts Submission Link for TSC 2026

Proposals for workshops - email: center@arizona.edu - 1 page proposal, description and list of presenters and their affiliations - deadline: October 1

Monday April 6 - Workshops

9:00am-12:30pm and 2:00pm-5:00pm and an evening workshop symposium from 7:00-10:00

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort - Tucson

Loews Hotel Room block is now open - LINK

Room block group rate: $179

Venue: Loews Ventana Canyon Resort - Group Block for TSC 2026 registrants. - now open

Deadline for Hotel Room group rate: March 13​

Registration via Eventbrite

Standard $550; Student $450

Conference Registration: via Eventbrite. Early Registration Deadline: December 20 Standard: $550 Student (ID required $450) Workshops scheduled for Monday April 6 – (4 hour sessions) registration is now open

Sponsorships

attn: Abi Behar Montefiore center@arizona.edu

TSC Website - www.consciousness.arizona.edu

Videos
YouTube Channel - The Science of Consciousness Conferences & Programs

Retro Anniversary

Penrose 2021 Nobel Prize - Intro Reel for TSC online program

Additional Links

Eventbrite The Science of Consciousness Registration
YouTube Channel - The Science of Consciousness Conferences & Programs
Facebook CCS-TSC
Join TSC E-list