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Bamberg Mathematical Consciousness Science Initiative (BAMΞ)

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Bamberg Mathematical Consciousness Science Initiative (BAMΞ)

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Welcome to BAMΞ!

BAMΞ is an international initiative located at the University of Bamberg, devoted to research in Mathematical Consciousness Science and neighbouring disciplines. Our mission is to support and advance research in the field of Consciousness Science wherever mathematical questions are concerned.

BAMΞ's research is organized in terms of sprints, devoted to open questions and research opportunities in Mathematical Consciousness Science. Each sprint comprises workshops, invited talks, discussion sessions, and a residency programme, all of which aim to connect leading experts across all academic career stages whose work relates to a sprint’s topic.

? BAMΞ's Research Activities

Consciousness Science

Consciousness Science, also known as the Scientific Study of Consciousness, is an interdisciplinary field that investigates how conscious experience relates to the subject matter of the natural and human sciences—most notably, the brain. It seeks to understand the nature, mechanisms, correlates, and functions of consciousness, and how these relate to brain, body, environment, and culture.

Over the past three decades, advances in neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, computer science, and philosophy have transformed this domain into a mature interdisciplinary field. A host of empirical and theoretical research programmes, based among other things on neuroimaging tools such as fMRI, EEG, and TMS, inform increasingly refined models and theories of consciousness, evaluated through so-called measures of consciousness in dedicated experimental paradigms. Considerable challenges remain, but the trajectory towards a scientific resolution of the long-standing problem of consciousness has been set.

Mathematical Consciousness Science

Theories and methods in Consciousness Science make extensive use of mathematics to model, represent, and study consciousness. Therefore, it is no surprise that as Consciousness Science progresses, mathematical questions, problems, and opportunities come to the fore.

Mathematical Consciousness Science is an emerging subfield of Consciousness Science dedicated to the mathematical questions that arise within the field and relevant neighbouring disciplines. In a nutshell, Mathematical Consciousness Science is the application and study of formal and mathematical methods as applied in, or relevant to, the Scientific Study of Consciousness. Because mathematical methods and mathematical questions appear in experimental, theoretical, conceptual, and methodological domains in Consciousness Science, Mathematical Consciousness Science comprises experimental, theoretical, conceptual and methodological research.

Mathematical Consciousness Science relates to Consciousness Science as theoretical physics does to physics, or mathematical psychology to psychology: it offers the tools to formalize, improve, and expand concepts, models, theories, and methods across all domains in the field. There is ample reason to believe that mathematical contributions are essential if the field of Consciousness Science is to reach its full scientific potential and solve the problem of consciousness.

Internationally, Mathematical Consciousness Science is represented by the Association for Mathematical Consciousness Science (AMCS). A central forum of exchange is the Models of Consciousness conference series, launched in Oxford in 2019 (MoC1) and subsequently held at Stanford (MoC3, 2022), Oxford (MoC4, 2023), and Bamberg (MoC5, 2024). In 2025, BAMΞ is co?organising MoC6 together with the Institute of Humanities of ShanghaiTech University and the Center for Human Nature, Artificial Intelligence, and Neuroscience of Hokkaido University, to be held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 in Sapporo, Japan (MoC6).

BAMΞ

Despite a growing momentum of Mathematical Consciousness Science, one key ingredient is still missing: a dedicated institutional home. Unfolding the field's full potential requires a hub where the many bright minds that have joined this emerging field—including both early career researchers and established scientists—can collaborate on the core mathematical questions and key mathematical ideas that arise in Consciousness Science.

BAMΞ aspires to be this hub. Its mission is to spearhead the development of mathematically rigorous methods to support and accelerate research in Consciousness Science, by serving as a hub for applying the methods of mathematics, physics, computer science, mathematical philosophy, and other formal disciplines across all areas of Consciousness Science, ranging from models and theories of consciousness, measurements of consciousness, representations of consciousness, to consciousness of Artificial Intelligence and medical and societal applications.

BAMΞ aims to provide a place where research can proceed in a respectful and appreciative environment. It stands for mathematically rigorous and open?minded research, ensuring and advocating scientific quality, honesty, and integrity.

Get Involved

  • Subscribe to our mailing list to receive announcements about seminars, workshops, residencies, and calls.
  • Explore upcoming research activities.
  • Consider an academic visit, either for an invited talk, or as an extended research visit. We welcome colleagues from mathematics, neuroscience, psychology, computer science, physics, philosophy, and adjacent fields who work on or share an interest in mathematical approaches in Consciousness Science.