About
Beyond the Brain 2026
I regard consciousness as fundamental, matter is derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind consciousness. Everything that we talk about, everything that we regard as existing, postulates consciousness. There is no matter as such; it exists only by virtue of a force bringing the particle to vibration and holding it together in a minute solar system; we must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent mind. The mind is the matrix of all matter.
– Max Planck, Nobel Laureate
Beyond the Brain is the world’s premier conference series exploring new research on whether and how consciousness and mind extend beyond the physical brain and body. This year’s event covers NDEs, ADCs, remote viewing, the experiential transit of death, neuroscience and spirituality, the telepathy tapes, the extended mind, and the more general issues of nonlocal consciousness and the consciousness-brain relationship. We will also make time for an experiential session on each day.
Consciousness is one of the hottest topics in science, which is why we established the interdisciplinary Beyond the Brain conference series with Willis Harman and Edgar Mitchell of the Institute of Noetic Sciences at St John’s College, Cambridge in 1995. This will be the 21st in the series. These conferences all explore the frontiers of consciousness research beyond the limits of scientific materialism based on the (unwarranted) assumption that the brain gives rise to consciousness.
We are hosting this year’s event in partnership with three other organisations active in the field: The Institute of Noetic Sciences, The Division of Perceptual Studies, University of Virginia and The Alef Trust, with whom we collaborate on MSc in Transpersonal Psychology and Consciousness Studies.
We begin with Prof Max Velmans – who spoke at the first conference in 1995 – explaining his reflexive model of consciousness, then we have three short talks selected from the many who applied to speak. In the afternoon, we begin with Dr Marina Weiler from the University of Virginia about her research on non-speaking autists, ending with a session with the well-known evidential medium Suzanne Giesemann on openness to first person experience and understanding consciousness.
On Saturday, we are joined by Prof Vera Spillner for a talk on the relationship between physics and near death experiences, then Federico Faggin joins us from Vicenza to talk about the universe as self-knowing, based both on his own experience and his theoretical understanding. In the afternoon, hospice doctor Dr Chris Kerr will talk about validating patient experiences, then Marjorie Woollacott will interview Dr Dean Radin.
The Sunday morning session will be curated by Alef Trust, then Dr Peter Sjosted-Hughes will present on psychedelics and Mind at Large. Daniel Bourke will explain his research on people dreaming about romantic connections before they happen, and we will finish with a further interview by Marjorie with Dr Julia Mossbridge. Each day will feature an experiential session involving sound and music.
Our speakers are all at the cutting edges of their fields and will be discussing innovative and interdisciplinary research and ideas that probe the frontiers of consciousness and offer new cartographies. You will gain a vital overview and a deeper understanding of how consciousness research is expanding the horizons of science and indeed of reality itself. This mind-stretching conference is not to be missed, so we greatly look forward to your participation!
Unlike many events that focus exclusively on spirituality or science, Beyond the Brain seeks to live in the tension between the two, offering a grounded but holistic understanding of consciousness.
The conference has a history dating back to 1995, with partners like the Institute of Noetic Sciences, Alef Trust and the University of Virginia Division of Perceptual Studies. This heritage sets us apart from newer, less-established events.
By aligning with high-quality meta-contextual thinkers, the conference is not just an intellectual gathering, but as a movement addressing the deeper meta-crises of our time: ecological, existential, and spiritual.
let’s meet the
Organisers
The Scientific and Medical Network (SMN) is devoted to the emergence of a more enlightened world – a world in which the wisdom of spirituality and the thoughtfulness of philosophy balance the power of science and technology. View our website here.
We recognise that our world is still plagued by deep problems and enduring conflicts. Many of these are caused by dogmatic, superstitious or ill-informed worldviews. However, we believe that individuals and societies can transform themselves. The key is learning to integrate evidence-based science, born of rational philosophy, with the love and inner peace cultivated by spiritual practice. The Scientific and Medical Network is a worldwide community of professionals dedicated to this transformative task.
The Alef Trust is a global leader in transformative education in the areas of consciousness, and transpersonal, integral, and spiritual psychology. We provide university-accredited Masters and PhD Programmes, as well as Professional Certifications, and Open Learning Courses, all of which promote holistic psychological frameworks and perspectives, nurturing the development of human consciousness and culture. We also undertake research and provide consultancy and leadership for private and public sector organisations, building creative community projects and business engagements.
let’s meet the
Partner Organisations
At the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), we are inspired by the power of science to explain phenomena not previously understood, harnessing the best of the rational mind to make advances that further our knowledge and enhance our human experience.
The mission of the Institute of Noetic Sciences is to reveal the interconnected nature of reality through scientific exploration and personal discovery.
At the Division of Perceptual Studies, we believe that a revolution in intellectual history is taking shape, and we have a unique role to play in bringing it to fruition.
Current mainstream science and philosophy portray mind, personality and consciousness as nothing more than byproducts of brain activity encased within our skulls and vanishing at death. Through its research, DOPS strives to challenge this entrenched mainstream view by rigorously evaluating empirical evidence suggesting that consciousness survives death and that mind and brain are distinct and separable.
The University of Virginia is a proudly public institution, consistently ranked among the best universities in the United States for excellence and value. UVA serves the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation and the world by advancing knowledge and preparing students to be citizen leaders who are guided by empathy, integrity and truth.