The 2025 International Forum on Consciousness will bring together global thought leaders, scientists, artists and members of the public in Madison, WI, on May 15–16 to explore how diverse disciplines and traditions converge to deepen our understanding of consciousness. This year’s theme, Bridging Worlds: The Confluence of Culture, Science and Spirituality, emphasizes the transformative power of ancient wisdom, modern research and spiritual insight in shaping a more conscious and interconnected future.

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The 2025 International Forum on Consciousness will take place on May 15–16 at the BioPharmaceutical Technology Center in Madison, WI.

Now in its 15th year, the Forum invites participants to engage with diverse perspectives through keynotes, panels, immersive workshops and artistic experiences. Topics will include ancestral practices, psychedelics, ecological consciousness, indigenous storytelling and the integration of traditional knowledge with neuroscience.

Forum Highlights

• Interdisciplinary explorations of ancient healing, consciousness-based therapies, psychedelics research and neuroscience—featuring insights from Wade Davis, Gül Dölen, Charles Raison and others
• Panel discussions on ecological consciousness, cultural narratives, indigenous storytelling and documentary filmmaking
• Dynamic conversations moderated by Steve Paulson of To The Best of Our Knowledge and Luminous, including an in-person interview with musical icon Melissa Etheridge
• Immersive artistic and musical experiences to foster reflection, connection and expanded awareness

Forum Hosts

The annual International Forum on Consciousness is co-hosted by:

• The BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTC Institute)
• Promega Corporation
• Usona Institute

Event Information
When: May 15-16, 2025
Where: BioPharmaceutical Technology Center, Promega Corporation, 5445 East Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Registration and more Information: https://events.btci.org/forum/consciousness-2025/

2025 Presenters
Casey Brown – Ho-Chunk Filmmaker
Wade Davis, Ph.D. – BC Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at Risk; Professor of Anthropology, University of British Columbia
Gül Dölen, M.D., Ph.D. – Professor, Bob & Renee Parsons Endowed Chair, Department of Psychology, the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, and the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley
Melissa Etheridge – Musical Artist and Founder, The Etheridge Foundation
Mia Maestro – Musician, Actress, and Filmmaker
Jeff Orlowski-Yang – Filmmaker, Photographer, Entrepreneur
Charles Raison, M.D. – Professor of Human Ecology and Psychiatry, UW–Madison; Director of Clinical and Translational Research, Usona Institute
Dana Sawyer – Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and World Religions, Maine College of Art & Design
Manvir Singh, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, University of California, Davis
Brian Stafford, M.D., MPH – Senior Guide, Trainer, and Director of the Wild Mind Training Program, Animas Valley Institute
Tawni Tidwell, Ph.D., TMD – Research Assistant Professor, Center for Healthy Minds, UW–Madison

Immersion Artists and Musicians
Sheila Darcey – Visionary Artist and Author, Venice Beach, CA
Becca McKnight – Manager, Emotional and Social Intelligence Program, Promega Corporation
Mark Seelig, Ph.D. – Clinical Psychotherapist and Musician, Usona Institute

About the BTC Institute

The Biopharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTC Institute) is a not-for-profit organization operated exclusively for educational, scientific and cultural purposes. It offers K–12 programs, scientific course offerings, and annual educational forums and symposia.

About Usona Institute

Usona Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit medical research organization (MRO) that conducts and supports pre-clinical and clinical research to further the understanding of the therapeutic effects of psilocybin and other consciousness-expanding medicines. Its focus is on alleviating depression and anxiety in people for whom current medical treatments fall short in offering relief and a better quality of life.

About Promega Corporation

Promega Corporation is a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry. The company’s portfolio of over 4,000 products supports a range of life science work across areas such as cell biology; DNA, RNA and protein analysis; drug development; human identification and molecular diagnostics. For over 45 years these tools and technologies have grown in their application and are used today by scientists and technicians in labs for academic and government research, forensics, pharmaceuticals, clinical diagnostics and agricultural and environmental testing. Promega is headquartered in Madison, WI, USA with branches in 16 countries and over 50 global distributors.

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