Centers for Consciousness Research

Directory

• ANU Center for Consciousness, Australia – consciousness.anu.edu.au

- works on developing conceptual frameworks for understanding experimental work in neuroscience and cognitive science

- combines work in philosophy and cognitive science

• Center for Consciousness Studies, Arizona - www.consciousness.arizona.edu

- works across philosophy, the cognitive sciences, neuroscience, the social sciences, medicine, and the physical sciences, the arts and humanities

- active on campus in sponsoring lectures, interdisciplinary seminars

- holds a major biannual conference on Consciousness Studies (established 1994)

- runs web courses

- seeks to develop a graduate studies program

• Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, California – www.sbinstitute.com

- hosts research into the scientific basis for meditative techniques

- also research into the potential for meditative techniques to be used in place of medication

- brings together Buddhists, neuroscientists, physicists, psychologists

• Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, California – mindbrain.ucdavis.edu

Studies the human mind using interdisciplinary approaches from:

- social science (anthropology, economics, linguistics, philosophy and psychology)

- biological science (behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, physiology)

- engineering science (biomedical and electrical engineering, computer science)

- medical science (neurology, psychiatry and medical imaging)

Staff include mostly psychology, neurology, linguistics

Other examples include:

• Brown University Contemplative Studies Initiative: http://www.brown.edu/Faculty/Contemplative_Studies_Initiative/index.html

• Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior: http://brainimaging.waisman.wisc.edu/

• Carstensen Life-Span Development Lab (Stanford): www-psych.stanford.edu/~lifespan

Research focused on the social, emotional, and cognitive processes that people use to adapt to life circumstances as they age.

• Mindful Awareness Research Center (UCLA): www.marc.ucla.edu

A research center whose focus is the study of mindful awareness, especially for the prevention and treatment of ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and related syndromes.

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• Mind & Life Institute -www.mindandlife.org

The Mind and Life Institute is dedicated to fostering dialogue and research at the highest possible level between modern science and the great living contemplative traditions, especially Buddhism.