Quick Summary Monday Morning Workshops
- 8:30-12:30 Quantum Cognition, Kiva Ballroom
- 8:30-12:30 Bridging Scales of Awareness: Consciousness Biomarkers, Quantum Perception and Musical Resonance, Grand Ballroom 1
- 8:30-10:20 Education & Transformative Learning Quantum Mind, Grand Ballroom 2
- 10:40-12:30 Consciousness of Economic Systems, Grand Ballroom 2
Monday, April 6, 2026
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Kiva Ballroom
“Quantum Cognition”
Jerome R. Busemeyer, Harald Atmanspacher, Nao Tsuchiya
The following topics will be covered:
1. Why use quantum probability to model human judgment and decision making
2. What are the basic principles of quantum theory used to model human judgment and decision making
3. What are some of the major applications of quantum theory to human judgment and decision making
4. How to write computer code for quantum cognition modeling
5. How can quantum cognition contribute to understanding human consciousness
6. What are the connections between quantum cognition and other quantum
approaches to consciousness?
Speakers
Jerome Busemeyer
Jerome Busemeyer previously was a Full Professor at Purdue University before 1997, and now is Distinguished Professor in Psychological and Brain Sciences, Cognitive Science, and Statistics at Indiana University-Bloomington.
Harald Atmanspacher
Harald Atmanspacher is an emeritus member of the Turing Center of ETH Zurich and a faculty member of the C.G. Jung Institute Zurich. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Mind and Matter and serves as the President of the Society for Mind-Matter Research.
Naotsugu “Nao” Tsuchiya
Naotsugu “Nao” Tsuchiya was awarded a PhD at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2006. In Jan 2012, he joined the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University as an Associate Professor (Professor from 2020).
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grand Ballroom 1
“Bridging Scales of Awareness: Consciousness Biomarkers, Quantum Perception and Musical Resonance”
Laxmidhar Behera, Chayan Nandi, Venkatesh Chembrulu, Archi Banerjee, G. Ramnath
This workshop aims to explore the continuum of consciousness across living systems – from molecular coherence to aesthetic cognition – through five complementary lenses: quantum non-locality, biological biomarkers, Indian knowledge-system (IKS) frameworks and the neurosomatic influence of music. The discussion integrates experimental science with philosophical insights to uncover how awareness, responsiveness and resonance manifest across scales of life and cognition.
Objectives
1. Examine measurable consciousness biomarkers in plants and animals using anesthetic interventions
2. Explore quantum non-locality as a substrate for perception and awareness
3. Relate IKS philosophical constructs (prana, citta, manas, buddhi) to emerging neuro-biological models.
4. Investigate how music modulates cognitive and affective states and its potential for therapeutic applications.
5. Stimulate cross-disciplinary research linking physics, biology, psychology and traditional knowledge systems.
Speakers
Laxmidhar Behera
“Quantum Perception – Exploration through Non-locality”
Prof. Laxmidhar Behera is the Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, a position he has held since January 2022.
Venkatesh Chembrolu
“Models of Consciousness through the Indian Knowledge System Framework”
Venkatesh Chembrolu is an Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi, where he also serves as the Dean of Academics for the IKSMHA Centre.
Chayan Nandi
“Conscious Biomarkers in Plants and Animals through Anesthetic Interventions”
Archi Banerjee
Information forthcoming.
G. Ramnath
Information forthcoming.
8:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
Grand Ballroom 2
“Education and Transformative Learning, Quantum Mind”
Joan Walton, Laurel Waterman, Marjorie Woollacott, Suzanne Gildert
Speakers
Joan Walton
Joan is an Honorary Research Fellow with the Alef Trust. She is also a Principal Research Supervisor on the PhD Applied Transpersonal Psychology program, and a research mentor for the Conscious Community Initiative. Joan gained her Ph.D. from the University of Bath. Read more.
Laurel Waterman
Laurel Waterman completed a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Pedagogy, Wellbeing Emphasis, at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. She holds an MA in Adult Education and Community Development from OISE. Read more.
Marjorie Woollacott
Marjorie Woollacott, Ph.D., is an Emeritus Professor of Human Physiology, and member of the Institute of Neuroscience, at the University of Oregon. She was chair of the Human Physiology Department for seven years. Read more.
Suzanne Gildert
Suzanne Gildert, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Nirvanic, a company pioneering quantum consciousness technologies for artificial intelligence. Suzanne previously co-founded and was CTO of Sanctuary AI, a company building Human-Like Intelligence in General Purpose Robots. Read more.
10:40 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
Grand Ballroom 2
“Consciousness of Economic Systems”
Ron Chrisley, Richard Ebstein, Giorgia Lucchini, Kathryn Nave, Chew Soo Hong, Patrick Schotanus, Uzi Awret
Speakers
Ron Chrisley
Ron Chrisley, Professor of Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence; Director of COGS School of Engineering. Read more.
Laurel Waterman
Richard Ebstein is Professor in the Psychology Department at the National University of Singapore and Professor Emeritus in the Psychology Department at the Hebrew University. More on Google Scholar.
Giorgia Lucchini
Giorgia Lucchini Ph.D., student in Scienze dell’economia civile presso Università LUMSA Rome, Italia.
Kathryn Nave
Kathryn Nave is a Leverhulme Trust early career research fellow. Her research focuses on developing a realist account of autonomy and agency, grounded in the uniquely metabolic existence of living systems. Read more.
Chew Soo Hong
Emeritus Professor, National University of Singapore, Department of Economics, Ph.D University of British Columbia.
Patrick Schotanus
Patrick Schotanus, associated with the University of Edinburgh, is an independently funded pracademic. His main association is with the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI; part of the University of Edinburgh). Read more.
Uziel Awret
Uziel Awret was born in Israel, and graduated from Israeli Technical Institute, and Georgetown University. His main interests are the study of consciousness, technology, and humanity. Read more.