SMN's Annual Gathering 2026 - A Member Only Event

The 2026 SMN Annual Gathering will take place at Latimer Place (UK) from 17-19 July.

This year, we are developing the format of the annual gathering to involve participants in a collaborative enquiry around the question of 'how best to catalyse a paradigm shift towards a post-materialist science of consciousness', which is the core work of the Galileo Commission. We therefore encourage you to revisit the Galileo Commission Report, and also the recent supplement on Transhumanism. We will open this up with a panel on Saturday morning and continue to develop the theme over the weekend. 

For those of you who have not yet attended the SMN Annual Gathering, you will find it a wonderfully stimulating and sociable event where you can meet other Members in relaxed surroundings to exchange ideas and experiences. You are sure to make new friends over the weekend!

This is a Member-only event, if you are not a member but want to come along you are welcome! Become a Member here.

PROGRAMME

Friday July 17

17:00 pm on Registration

19:00 pm Welcome drinks

19:30 pm Dinner

20:15 pm Welcoming remarks from Prof Bernard Carr (SMN President), David Lorimer (SMN Programme Director and Global Ambassador), Alan Malby (SMN Chair)

20:30 pm  Dr Louise Livingstone – Setting the Ethos for the Weekend (recorded), followed by informal table introductions

21:00 Bar open for informal mingling

Saturday July 18

7:45 am Meditation or Paneurhythmy

8:15 am Breakfast

9:30 am Dr Rupert Sheldrake – 40 years of working for a paradigm shift (recorded)

9:45 am Panel chaired by David Lorimer plus Q & A – Prof Harald Walach, Prof Scherto Gill, Paul Kieniewicz and Dr Vasileios Basios – How can we best catalyse a paradigm shift?

Prof Harald Walach is a clinical psychologist, philosopher of science, and researcher at the interface between medicine, psychology and consciousness studies. He is a professorial research fellow with the Next Society Institute at Kazimieras Simonavicius University in Vilnius, Lithuania. He is founding director of the Change Health Science Institute in Basel, Switzerland, where he lives as a freelance scientist and author. He is author of more than 200 peer reviewed papers, 14 books, and 100 book chapters. He is one of the 100,000 most highly cited scientists worldwide. His recent work focuses on the role of spirituality and consciousness within science, for our health system and our culture at large.

Prof Scherto R Gill is Founding Director of Global Humanity for Peace Institute, University of Wales Trinity St David, where she coordinates the UNESCO Collective Healing Initiative. She teaches on MA in Peace Studies, mentoring doctoral researchers who are keen to embark on interdisciplinary inquiries into positive peace, harmony, deep dialogue, and holistic well-being. Scherto is the author and co-author of many books, including Lest We Lose Love, an exploration of Love in Western philosophy. She is a Life Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts (FRSA), and a laureate of the 2022 Luxembourg Peace Award.

Paul Kieniewicz holds advanced degrees in astronomy and geophysics. He speaks several languages and has taught workshops and courses in astronomy, geology, philosophy and the Gaia Theory. He has lived in Scotland, California and in the “Lone Star State,” Texas. He has worked as a teacher and geophysicist. He has long studied early Christian literature, of which he is an expert and translator. He is the author of the Polish translation of the Gospel of Philip, the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Truth. His talks on gnostic texts are available online. His other works include Harmony of the Universe, The Cosmic View, published in English, and fantasy novels Immortality Machine and Gaia’s Children.

Dr Vasileios Basios is a senior researcher in the Physics of Complex Systems at the University of Brussels, with over 25 years of experience in research and coaching. His interdisciplinary work focuses on self-organisation, emergence in complex matter, complementarity and the foundations of complex systems. He is deeply interested in the history of scientific ideas and their role in transforming science beyond the mechanistic worldview. His work aims to bring insights from complex systems science to consciousness studies, working towards an inclusive and self-reflexive interdisciplinary science of consciousness. In 2023, his research team received the inaugural Linda G O’Bryant Noetic Sciences Research Prize for their study on detecting deviations from random activity as indicators of nonlocal consciousness correlates beyond the brain.

11:15 am Break

11:45 am Table discussions

12:30 pm Plenary feedback 

1:00 pm Lunch

2:15 pm Panel Chaired by David Lorimer – Prof Harald Walach, Prof Scherto Gill, Paul Kieniewicz and Dr Vasileios Basios – What lines of evidence are most persuasive in catalysing a paradigm shift? What is the role of transformative experience?

3:00 pm Table discussions

3:45 pm Plenary feedback

4:15 pm Break

4:45 pm Activity Outside

5:45 pm Plenary Chaired by David Lorimer – Prof Harald Walach, Prof Scherto Gill, Paul Kieniewicz and Dr Vasileios Basios - Where are we now?

6:30 pm Meditation

7:00 pm Dinner

8:30 pm Entertainment and Party

Sunday July 19

7:45 am Meditation or Paneurhythmy

8:15 am Breakfast

9:30 am Table discussions followed by plenary

11:00 am Break

11:30 am Board updates for members and open forum

1:00 pm Lunch, informal networking and departures.

Ticket Options

Please note: Accessible rooms have now sold out - please email us if you require an accessible room via events@scimednet.org

FULL WEEKEND tickets include:

• En suite accommodation (single or double).
  
• All meals included (which will be vegan and vegetarian following feedback from Members, as last year) and coffee/tea 24 hours.
  
• Access to amenities (gym, swimming pool).
• Access to the Annual Gathering programme.
• Free on-site parking.
  
• Please note: In the event of cancellation, a fee of £30 will be retained, and no refunds can be given after 25 June 2026.

Day Delegate tickets include:

• Lunch (which will be vegan and vegetarian following feedback from Members) and coffee/tea breaks.
  
• Access to the Annual Gathering programme on the day of your ticket.
  
• Free on-site parking.
  
• Please note:
  • Dinner is not included with a Day Delegate Tickets - if you'd like to join us for dinner please pay £40 to our PayPal account: info@scimednet.org with reference ‘AG dinner’.
  • In the event of cancellation, a fee of £30 will be retained, and no refunds can be given after 25 June 2026.

Disclaimer: The programme may be subject to change. We welcome the diverse views expressed by individual speakers in our events, these are not necessarily representative of any general Scientific and Medical Network views or positions – the Network is in no way liable for such views or opinions expressed by our speakers.

About the Venue

De Vere Latimer Estate has an intriguing story to tell, with the first mention of a manor house at Latimer recorded as early as 1194 AD. The estate was then passed down through families of English nobility, before becoming a top-secret centre for military intelligence during World War II, where it gained its name as one of Britain's most secret homes.

Today, the hotel has undergone a £7m refurbishment to add 21st-century comfort and style whilst complementing the original character of the property. You’ll find a blend of bold modern spaces and elegant suites that set the tone for memorable events and unforgettable weddings alike.

The bedrooms are fully-refurbished to reflect the revival of British heritage design. Explore the peaceful formal gardens and 30 acres of grounds, with sweeping views of the Chess Valley. There’s also a fully equipped gym and indoor swimming pool available daily for guests to use.

Free, superfast Wi-Fi with a maximum bandwidth of 1Gb is available throughout the hotel and up to 100m within the grounds.

Travel

De Vere Latimer Estate is situated just 10 minutes’ drive from Junction 18 of the M25 and 5 minutes in a car or taxi to Chalfont & Latimer station from where the Metropolitan Line will take you into central London. It's also close to Heathrow and Luton airports.

GDPR consent and Recording

By purchasing a ticket you are consenting to having your information stored for the purpose of this transaction.

Please note: There will be recording and promotional photographs throughout the Annual Gathering, do let us know if you do not wish to be photographed or recorded by contacting: support@scimednet.org