Centre for the Mind
The Centre for the Mind is the brainchild of Professor Allan Snyder FRS, and was launched at the historic Museum of Sydney on 4 August 1997. Dr Oliver Sacks, renowned author and neurobiologist, delivered the Foundation Lecture on "Creativity and the Mind" at the gala public opening on 5 August 1997. This event was held at the Australian Academy of Science where Dr Sacks received the Foundation Medal from the President of the Academy, Sir Gustav Nossal.
The Inaugural Centre for the Mind board members were:
- Professor Allan Snyder FRS (150th Anniversary Chair of Science and the Mind, University of Sydney)
- Professor Gavin Brown (Vice Chancellor, University of Sydney)
- Professor Peter Karmel (Vice Chancellor, Australian National University)
- Lachlan Murdoch (Executive Chairman, News Limited)
- Baz Luhrmann (Film Director)
Distinguished Medal recipients:
- Professor Daniel Dennett (Philosopher and Author)
- Professor Horace Barlow (Trinity College, Cambridge)
- Professor Vilayanur Ramachandran (University of California)
- Sir Richard Branson (Virgin Enterprises)
What they do
"We explore what it is to be uniquely human. We do this by investing in challenging research, by orchestrating spectacular intellectual events, and by acting as a global nexus for great minds. Our mind laboratories focus on scientific ways to enhance creativity and to instill the champion mindset." [1]