Consciousness and Education Conference 2026

Overview

There is growing evidence that mind is not generated by brain activity, and that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of reality. That throws a radically different light on what it means to be human. As acceptance of this new paradigm spreads, so it will impact all aspects of society. This two-day conference explores the implications of a new world view for education. Drawing on emerging post-materialist perspectives in science, philosophy and the humanities, the conference invites participants to reconsider long-standing assumptions about knowledge, learning, agency and meaning in educational theory and practice.

With a keynote from Dr Federico Faggin, whose work challenges reductionist models of mind and matter, and a conversation with Profesor Ron Barnett, renowned for his scholarship on the philosophy of higher education, the conference is designed to foster shared inquiry, critical reflection and collective sense-making. By the end of our time together, educators, researchers and practitioners will have had opportunity to reflect on curriculum design, research paradigms, and the purpose of education itself. Together we can begin the process of setting in place important principles and a new direction for education, encompassing an expanded vision of reality.

Please see Agenda section of eventbrite for full programme of Day 1 & Day 2. If you would prefer a printable format of the programme, please email [email protected]

Should you wish to enquire further about the conference, please email Dr Joan Walton at [email protected].

Presenters and workshop leaders

Dr Jonathan Allday

Consciousness in popular culture: an educational opportunity
“Tell me one last thing,” said Harry. “Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?”

Dumbledore beamed at him, and his voice sounded loud and strong in Harry’s ears even though the bright mist was descending again, obscuring his figure.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Despite the dominance of a materialist paradigm in society, popular culture often embraces broader perspectives. Science fiction and fantasy in film, television, and literature frequently explore themes of non-local mind. Superhero narratives, in particular, feature characters who manipulate matter with their minds, communicate telepathically, or move through space by sheer intention.

In this workshop, we examine such examples and consider how they can be used to prompt student inquiry and introduce alternative views of consciousness.

Warning: there will be clips shown from SciFi….

Dr Iya Whiteley

From Reactivity to Presence: A Breathwork Experience for Conscious Parenting and Educators

Following the presentation, this experiential workshop invites you to discover what astronauts and the sacred parenting journey both require from us: breath as your inner navigation system. Through guided breathwork, you'll dive into your own exploration journey of interacting with consciousness directly, not as a concept but as lived experience.
We'll work with a practical intention, for example, how to meet intensity with presence in daily parenting and educational moments. Rather than learning techniques to apply later, you'll experience the shift from reactivity to awareness, from managing symptoms to recognising the invitation beneath each challenge.
The workshop session includes personal reflection time to integrate your discoveries and practical approaches you can use immediately at home. Post-workshop, you'll receive a feedback form and invitation to a free follow-up online session where we'll reflect together, share experiences, and explore questions that emerge from practice.
This taster offers a window into the deeper explorations available through the "Born Knowing" book and the "Parenthood as a Spiritual Retreat" online course.

Dr Donna Thomas & Professor Kate Adams

Beyond the Five Senses: Exploring consciousness through creative inquiry

In this workshop, we will explore aspects of consciousness such as unusual or ‘out of this world’ experiences through qualitative and creative research methods. You will have the opportunity to select from a suite of sensory methods to enquire into either your own or another person’s experience. Examples might include, but are not limited to: Near Death Experience, mystical experience, invisible companions, exceptional dreams, past life memories or After Death Communications. Alternatively, you might wish to reflect on your childhood memories of how you understood the world(s) as a child. We will close the session with a reflection on how effective your chosen method(s) were for exploring experiences beyond the five senses and the potential implications for education settings.

Dr Laurel Waterman

The Veil of Ignorance: Exploring the relationship between consciousness education and social and ecological justice

When I first started writing about consciousness education, I took care to distinguish what I meant by consciousness from how the influential critical pedagogy scholar Paulo Freire used the word. Freire coined the phrase “critical consciousness,” which involves developing awareness of the causes of one’s oppression, and it has become a vital tool for social justice and decolonization movements in education. However, I wanted to discover how we can teach about different perspectives on the source and nature of consciousness, not how to develop awareness of something. Five years on, I now think that consciousness education is an essential tool for developing critical consciousness in the Freirean sense. This workshop invites participants to play a game called “The Veil of Ignorance,” an imaginative improvisational exercise that explores ideas about interconnected consciousness and its relationship to social and ecological justice.

Dr Jessica Bockler

Inner work and social change: Understanding consciousness and its role in collective transformation

Post-material models of consciousness challenge education to move beyond the assumption that inner experience and inner practices are simply a private endeavour. They invite the integration of interiority, relationality, and social action. Drawing on transpersonal psychology and applied work in education and community contexts, this workshop explores how inner work is really at the root of collective transformation rather than an optional enrichment.

Participants will be invited to reflect on how a wide range of consciousness practices and how they influence values and ethical orientation, leadership, and collective norms guiding action. The workshop will integrate conceptual framing with reflective inquiry, honouring multiple ways of knowing to sense into and make sense of our roles and responsibilities in social change today.

Rachael Summerscales

Encounters That Awaken: Why Young People Call for a Shift in Consciousness in Education

This workshop offers an autoethnographic inquiry into how encounters with young people can disrupt, unsettle, and awaken educators, revealing the limits of current educational structures. Drawing on adult lived experience, the session brings into view the gap between the inner life of the child and the structures designed to educate them, and invites participants to consider what becomes possible when this gap is met with greater presence rather than control. Beginning from the perspective of the educator, the workshop opens a collective inquiry into how curriculum design, pedagogical approaches, and dominant research paradigms sustain this gap, and why a shift in consciousness may be needed, both for young people navigating a changing world and for educators grappling with the tensions between lived experience and institutional demands. Participants are invited to reflect on what this reframes about the purpose of education and the evolving role of the teacher if consciousness is understood as fundamental.

DISCLAIMER: While organisers will do their upmost to deliver the planned event programme and advertised speakers, they reserve the right to change arrangements without notice due to factors beyond their control, such as a presenter falling ill or other unavoidable circumstances. Refunds will not be issued for changes in the programme as a result of such occurrences.

There are many hotels and bed & breakfasts within easy walking distance of the university, and also just outside the city in lovely countryside, often on good bus routes (though this would need to be checked in advance). There is extensive car parking opposite the university. York is a beautiful city, and the university is close to the centre, so this is an opportunity to take advantage of the location.

However, because it is also popular for tourists, early booking is advised. Booking.com is a good means of reserving accommodation. A limited number of rooms have been reserved for the conference, at the Hilton Doubletree, so if you want to stay there, phone +44 (0)1904 638086, and mention the reservations made for this event. These are allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

Events Access & Inclusivity

At York St John University we are committed to making our events as welcoming and inclusive for as many people as possible.

If you are planning to attend one of our events and have specific access requirements, including wheelchair access, then please contact us by e: [email protected] or t: 01904 876318 and we will make every effort to accommodate you.

If you need a suitable seat reserved for you (and your companions), please let us know, preferably at least one week before the event. Sign language interpreters and real-time captioning may be requested in advance. Please contact us as soon as possible (ideally at least 3 weeks before the date of the event) if you require either BSL interpretation or captioning. We will try our best but cannot guarantee provision.

Parking

There is no parking for any vehicles on site and ANPR cameras are in operation 24/7.

We have a small number of Blue Badge spaces available, these spaces can only be used if guests have pre registered their number plates by emailing [email protected].

Registering your details does not guarantee a space, as they operate on a first come, first served basis. Please ensure your blude badge is displayed clearly in the vehicle.

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech within the law and academic freedom are core principles of our University and underpin our mission to foster intellectual curiosity, rigorous debate, and the pursuit of knowledge. Our staff / students / SU colleagues are entitled to express their ideas and views, providing they do not violate the law. The law rightly prohibits speech that incites violence, terrorism and hate, but does not prohibit speech that others may find upsetting or offensive.

As a University that embodies social justice, we expect people to treat each other with dignity and respect, but it is not our role to censor ways of thinking or stifle debate between those who hold opposing views.

We understand that it can be frustrating to face views and perspectives that do not reflect our inclusive ethos at York St John University. However, we will not take disciplinary action against staff or students for lawful expression of their views, regardless of petitions, media campaigns or other external pressures.

Privacy Policy

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Info: From materialist assumptions to post-materialist understandings

Info: Includes time for audience questions

Info: Managing Intensity, Building Connection: Lessons from Space for Parents and Educators. 35 minutes + 10 minutes Q&A

Info: 35 minutes + 10 minutes Q&A

Info: Dr Laurel Waterman, Dr Jessica Bockler and Dr Donna Thomas.

Info: Q&A time for audience

Info: After Dinner Speaker: David Lorimer, Galileo Commission, Scientific & Medical Network.

Info: Re-imagining education in light of expanded understandings of consciousness

Info: Includes Q&A time for audience

Info: Dr Laurel Waterman, Dr Jessica Bockler and Dr Donna Thomas

Info: A panel discussion of all presenters plus York St John academics.
Includes introduction to Consciousness Educators Network.

Info: Includes Q&A time for audience

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

York St John University, Lord Mayor's Walk, York, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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