Nova Campfire: In Search of Consciousness - FULL EVENT (September 24, 2025).

This campfire discussion on "In Search of Consciousness - New Frontiers in Science, Wisdom, and the Nature of Reality" was held by the Nova Institute on September 24, 2025.

In a time when science and society are both confronting the limits of material explanations, this conversation invited us to consider consciousness not as a byproduct of the brain, but as foundational to reality itself. Drawing from neuroscience, psychiatry, physics, philosophy, and personal experience, our panelists explored the nature of consciousness. Perspectives included spirituality, near-death experiences, and insight aligned with ancestral and Indigenous wisdom from beyond one’s immediate location or personal experiences. Expanding our awareness and engaging new paradigms could open pathways for human development and deeper understanding, shaping not only how we view ourselves and each other, but also how we design and relate to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. As questions about machine sentience, cognition, and responsibility grow increasingly urgent, understanding consciousness becomes even more critical. A broader understanding of consciousness can transform our inner lives and our collective response to global challenges. When we awaken to our profound interconnection with all life, new possibilities emerge for the well-being of people and the planet.

Panelists included
• James B. Glattfelder author, academic, and quantitative researcher interested in the foundations of reality
• Marjorie Woollacott, emeritus professor and prior chair of the Department of Human Physiology and member of the Institute of Neuroscience at the University of Oregon.
• Anita Sanchez, Nahua (Aztec) and Toltec, transformational leadership, global nonprofit, and Fortune 500 corporate consultant, coach, and author.
• Susan Erdman, globally recognized for her pioneering work in microbial ecology and its influence on human health and well-being.
• Natasha Tassell-Matamua, an associate professor in the School of Psychology at Massey University in Aotearoa, New Zealand, where she established the Centre for Indigenous Psychologies.
• Susan Prescott, director of the Nova Network, professor of planetary health at University of Western Australia, and Scholar at the Nova Institute for Health in Baltimore •
• Brian Berman, President of the Nova Institute