What do you mean when you say the word “I”?

Typically, when we say this, we are referring to a conceptualised self; a story we have about ourselves, based on past experiences and what other people have told us about who we are.

Identification with this story gives us the sensation of being a “skin encapsulated ego”; cut off, and separate from the world around us.

Arguably, this identification with the ego is the root cause of many of the problems we face today; whether it’s the climate crisis, rising rates of anxiety and depression, or increases in inequality.

But is this the right way to define ourselves?

Is it scientifically accurate?

Or might this individualised view of ourselves no longer be relevant, given what recent scientific developments have since revealed about human nature?

In this online conference, we’ll explore how insights from neuroscience, consciousness studies, and evolutionary science can offer a more connected and holistic vision of the "Self".

Content

• The Overview Effect, Virtual Reality & Mental Health; why astronauts who view earth from space often experience a profound shift in consciousness, a transformation in self identity, and improved psychological well-being, and how new breakthroughs in virtual reality (VR) may enable us to experience these benefits - without having to leave the planet - Dr Annita Nezami & Frank White

• Conscious Evolution & Society as an Organism; the growing body of evidence from evolutionary science indicating the fundamental interconnectedness of human life; the extent to which human groups can be classed as organisms (in the same sense as a beehive or an ant colony), and a science-based approach for creating more a cooperative and compassionate society, which brings out the best in human nature - Professor David Sloan Wilson

• Consciousness & The Mind Body Connection; a groundbreaking new theory (from the neuroscientist who discovered the brain mechanism for dreaming) on how consciousness arises, how the mind connects to the body, and a secret buried in the brain's ancient foundations that can forever alter how you understand your own experience - Professor Mark Solms

Speakers

The Overview Effect, Virtual Reality & Mental Health - Dr Annahita Nezami & Frank White

Dr Annahita Nezami, CPsychol, DPsych, MSc, BSc, is a counselling psychologist providing psychological consultation, assessment and therapy to organisations, individuals, and couples. Her areas of interest include space psychology, higher states of consciousness, wellbeing, performance, neuropsychology and trauma. Annahita lectures nationally and internationally, and has presented her ideas about the Overview Effect and mental health on BBC Radio 4, Central St Martin’s, UCL, and TEDx. She researched the therapeutic value of the Overview Effect as part of her doctoral studies. After completing her studies, she founded VR Overview Effect (VROE); the first tech-based multi-sensory company that designs and researches treatments based on the self-transcendent experience of the Overview Effect. You can learn more about Annahita’s work at www.vr-overview-effect.co.uk or follow VROE on Instagram @vr_overvieweffect or on twitter @DrAnnahita.

Frank White has authored numerous books on topics ranging from space exploration to climate change to artificial intelligence. His best-known work, “The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution”, is considered by many to be a seminal work in the field of space exploration. A film called "Overview," based largely on his work, has had nearly 8 million plays on Vimeo. Since his book was published in 1987, "the Overview Effect" has become a standard term for describing the spaceflight experience. The fourth edition of The Overview Effect, including original interviews with 31 astronauts, is scheduled for publication in 2019. You can learn more about Frank's work at: https://frankwhiteauthor.com/

Conscious Evolution & Society as an Organism - Professor David Sloan Wilson

David Sloan Wilson is one of the world’s foremost evolutionary thinkers and a gifted communicator about evolution to the general public. He is SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology and Anthropology at Binghamton University. In addition to his teaching and research, David is President of Prosocial World – an organisation which aims to catalyze positive cultural change to consciously evolve who we are, how we connect with each other, and how we interact with the planet.

David is passionate about making evolution more accessible to a wider audience, and was invited to speak with the Dalai Lama about his work in 2019. He is the author of several books on evolutionary theory, including: “Atlas Hugged” (his first novel), “This View of Life”, “Evolution for Everyone”, “Darwin’s Cathedral”, “Does Altruism Exist?”, and the co-author of “Prosocial”, along with Paul Atkins and Steven Hayes. You can learn more about David’s work at https://www.thisviewoflife.com and https://www.prosocial.world/.

Consciousness and the Mind Body Connection - Professor Mark Solms

Professor Mark Solms is best known for his discovery of the forebrain mechanisms of dreaming, and for his pioneering integration of psychoanalytic theories and methods with those of modern neuroscience. He holds the Chair of Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital (Departments of Psychology and Neurology). His other positions have included: Honorary Lecturer in Neurosurgery at St. Bartholomew’s & Royal London School of Medicine, Director of the International Neuro-Psychoanalysis Centre, London, and Director of the Arnold Pfeffer Center for Neuro-Psychoanalysis at the New York Psychoanalytic Institute.

Professor Solms’ books include: Clinical Studies in Neuro-Psychoanalysis (winner of the NAAP’s Gradiva Award Best Book, Science Category in 2001), The Brain and The Inner World (2002), and most recently: Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness (2021).

Event Schedule

• 10:00am – 12:00pm: The Overview Effect, Virtual Reality & Mental Health - Dr Annahita Nezami & Frank White
• 12:00 - 1:00pm: Lunch break
• 1:00pm - 3:00pm: - Conscious Evolution & Society as an Organism - Professor David Sloan Wilson
• 3:00pm - 3:30pm: Afternoon break
• 3:30pm - 5:00pm: Consciousness & The Mind Body Connection - Professor Mark Solms

Please note - all times are in BST.

If you need a time-zone converter, please click here.

Why Attend Live?

• Get exclusive access to the content - at least six months before anyone else
• Interact with world class speakers and leading academics in real time, and get your questions answered in the Q&A sessions
• Build lasting relationships with a community of likeminded people as you interact throughout the talks
• Earn a CPD certificate and demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development
• Get lifetime access to video and audio recordings, and all available event materials (e.g. slides, handouts, etc.)

FAQs

How does the Online Video Conference Work?

After you register on Eventbrite, you will receive an email with a unique link and instructions to join the video conference.

Will I be able to ask questions?

You will be able to submit questions to each speaker during the Q+A sessions.

What if I miss part of one of the lectures? Will I have access to the recordings?

Yes, the recordings will be emailed to all ticket-buyers (even those who can't attend on the day) approximately one hour after each lecture finishes.

This means that if you miss anything, you'll be able to catch up in your own time.

If you have any further questions, please email support@theweekenduniversity.com for more information.

Testimonials from previous participants

Who is this event for?

You might be:

• A mental health practitioner; psychotherapist, counsellor or coach, attending for continuing professional development
• A psychology student seeking to broaden your knowledge in different areas of the subject
• Considering a transition into a career in psychology, but not sure exactly what route to take yet
• A member of the general public attending for the sheer joy of learning and exploring your curiosity.

TWU Guarantee

The Weekend University seeks to guarantee an excellent learning experience.

If you are not fully satisfied with the day, you will receive 100% of your money back, and we will cover the cost of your travel to and from the venue.

Refund Policy

We offer a full refund if you cancel within 7 days of the event date.

For cancellations in the week leading up to the event, tickets are transferable but non-refundable.

Event Partners

Have you ever thought: "I want to make this world a better place"? If so, then we share a vision. At the School of Positive Transformation, we believe that through education, training, and support, we could trigger positive change. We now have a strong scientific knowledge base, from positive psychology and other similar disciplines, providing us with incredible knowledge about practical tools we could use to live better.

We have translated those tools into courses and trainings to enable increased resilience, happiness, meaning, and mindfulness. We believe that in order to offer others positive transformation, you need to say "yes" to that same invitation. As a result, our courses provide you with the knowledge and practice for self transformation which then allows you to support others through the same process.

Our courses and trainings will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and experience so that you could live and practice the best within you, while inviting others to do the same. You can learn more about our programs at: www.schoolofpositivetransformation.com.