The Robogals Science Challenge is an Australia-wide science competition for girls. It enables participants to learn more about science and engineering by conducting projects or experiments with a friend, parent,…
Write a short essay on ‘Not-so-smart technology’ and you could win a fantastic set of prizes, including publication in Australia’s top science magazines, a $500 UNSW Bookshop voucher, a subscription to the Australian…
With engineers, anything is possible! To celebrate Engineers Australia’s 100th birthday, we are encouraging Australians to think about how engineering has helped them in all parts of their lives. So,…
Consciousness remains one of the biggest mysteries of the human brain. Our perception of what exists as well as our thoughts, feelings, imaginings and dreams has attempted to be understood by philosophers through conceptual analysis and thought experiments. Neuroscientists have sought to describe it as a biological process of neuronal activity captured by measurable tests of brain activity. Increasingly, philosophers and neuroscientists are joining forces, but consensus is elusive. Do we experience consciousness only while we are awake? Do other animals experience consciousness? Does it fade after brain damage? Are intelligent computers conscious? Is consciousness a process? What is it for? We have invited a neuroscientist and philosopher to share their research and perspectives on consciousness and to provide some guidance on these questions.