St Mary's University College (SMUC), Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, London TW1 4SX
Co-organised by The Centre for Bioethics and Emerging Technologies (CBET) at 
SMUC (http://www.smuc.ac.uk/cbet/) AND 
The Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB)
As part of the AISB Members workshop series.  

**********************************************************************

Symposium Overview
Consciousness is sometimes thought to be a special attribute of humans, but what exactly do we 
mean by it? If we know what it is, how did it emerge (if indeed it did), and when and why? Is 
there a continuum between consciousness and non-consciousness? Should we distinguish between 
consciousness and self-consciousness in trying to answer these questions? What do fields such 
as philosophy, cognitive science, evolutionary psychology, palaeoanthropology, neuroscience and 
cognitive archaeology have to contribute to these questions? This one-day workshop brings together 
a multidisciplinary team to examine these issues, with opportunities for discussion.

Example Topics of Interest
Philosophical Issues; 
Computational-Philosophical Issues 
Cognition and cognitive science 
Neuroscience and neural networks 
Psychology and evolutionary psychology

Any other topics related to the emergence of consciousness will also be welcomed.

Submission and Publication Details 
Submissions are by abstract only and should be sent via EasyChair: 
https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=aisb-consc-13 
Selected papers (presented at this workshop) may be included for publication in the AISB 
general proceedings of the AISB Workshop Proceedings. 

Important Dates
250-500 word abstract submission: 05/04/13 
Notification of decision: 19/04/13 
Registration: 30/04/13 
Workshop: 09/05/13

Venue
Waldegrave Drawing Room, St Mary’s University College, Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill, 
Twickenham, TW1 4SX, UK.
Directions to the St Mary's campus: http://www.smuc.ac.uk/contact/directions.htm
For further information, please contact Dr Yasemin J. Erden: erdenyj@smuc.ac.uk 

Schedule and Event
This Workshop will seek to provide a forum for informal engagement on the emergence of 
consciousness. We invite scholars and students to submit a 250-500 word abstract for oral 
presentation and subsequent round table discussion. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. 
There will be a break for lunch (not provided) with a range of dining options on campus and locally.

Registration 
Registration is free to members of the AISB (http://www.aisb.org.uk/) and otherwise equal to the 
cost of membership (paid and arranged in advance of the workshop by submitting a completed 
application form to the Executive Office). This will be processed as a membership application 
unless explicitly requested. Click here for details of AISB membership costs: 
http://www.aisb.org.uk/about/join 
 
To register for the workshop, send your name, institution and AISB Membership number to 
Dr Yasemin J. Erden: erdenyj@smuc.ac.uk 

Symposium Organisers
Prof. Geoff Hunt, CBET Director and Professorial Research Fellow, St Mary's University College, Twickenham, UK.
geoffrey.hunt@smuc.ac.uk
+44 (0)20 8240 2311

Dr. Yasemin J. Erden, Lecturer, Philosophy/CBET, St Mary's University College, Twickenham, UK.
erdenyj@smuc.ac.uk
+44 (0)20 8240 4250

About the Workshops
The AISB has begun to host our series of workshops to be held across the country, covering a 
wide range of themes pertinent to the aims of the AISB. If you are interested in hosting one 
of these events, you will find below information on what you will need to do. More information 
about the series, including a list of previous events, can be found on the AISB website: 
http://aisb.org.uk/events/members-workshop-series