save the dates: may 16-17, 2024

This year, we explored relationships of human society to the planetary environment and to the larger dimension of time and space.  Nature, Earth, and Humanity: The Evolution of Connection is our theme.

We hoped to contribute to answering important questions, such as:

  • How do our perceptions and perspectives intersect with the reality of how our decisions impact our planetary home?
  • How can we foster a culture of consciousness that respects all living beings and natural resources, and, possibly, is restorative?

The Forum also provided immersive experiences, live music, and, most importantly, time for connection and meaningful dialogue with each other.

NOTE: On Thursday, following the afternoon panel discussion, we will hosted a reception for all attendees that included opportunities for conversations with presenters at Promega’s new Kornberg Center for Research & Development.

event details

SCHEDULE
ABSTRACTS

2023 VIDEOS

NOTE: please scroll down after you’ve opened the above link for video links to all archived talks and panel discussions.

ARCHIVE [event brochures]
confirmed presenters

Christopher M. Bache, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH

Marcia Bjornerud, Ph.D., Walter Schober Professor of Environmental Studies and Professor of Geosciences, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI

Dekila Chungyalpa, Director of the Loka Initiative, Center for Healthy Minds and Healthy Minds Innovations, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI

Wade Davis, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology and the BC Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at Risk, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (pre-recorded)

Marcelo Gleiser, Ph.D., Appleton Professor of Natural Philosophy and Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

Thomas Metzinger, Ph.D., Professor; Director: MPE-Research Network; Adjunct Fellow: Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies; President: Barbara-Wengeler-Stiftung; Founder & former director: MIND Group — Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, GERMANY

Odessa Piper, Restaurateur and Chef, Organic Arts | Perennial Foodways Advocacy, Roslindale, MA

Gavin Van Horn, Ph.D., Executive Editor, Center for Humans and Nature Press Books, Center for Humans and Nature, Libertyville, IL

moderators

Bill Linton, President & CEO, Promega Corporation; President, BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute; Co-Founder & Executive Director, Usona Institute, Madison, WI

Penny Patterson, Vice President, Communications, Promega Corporation, Madison, WI

Steve Paulson, Executive Producer, To The Best Of Our Knowledge, Wisconsin Public Radio and PRX, Madison WI

musicians & immersion artists

Kate Bast, Nature + Forest Therapy Guide | Writer + Editor, Shinrin-yoku Madison, Madison, WI

Lisa O’Connor, Master of Transdisciplinary Design, Promega Corporation, Madison, WI

Michael “Mushka” Yurkew, Multidisciplinary Artist, Mushka Studios, Madison, WI

background information

Coordinated by the BTC Institute, Promega Corporation and Usona Institute, the International Forum on Consciousness offers a lively two days of information-sharing and discussion regarding important – and often challenging – topics. Launched in 2010, the Forum has focused on exploring dimensions of consciousness.

This has involved looking into various realms, pushing the envelope at times, while remaining centered on engaging our audience and our speakers. We have been guided through a range of topics, including creativity, near death, entheogens, intelligence in nature, business evolution, the effects of sensory inputs and ways of detecting and measuring consciousness. Nature, Earth and Humanity: The Evolution of Connection continues this journey.

VIDEO LIBRARY (2010-2019, 2021)
ARCHIVE: Event brochures, abstracts & video links: 2016-2019, 2021