About the uniMIND Symposium
The uniMIND Symposium is a series of early career conferences in the uniMIND network. At the symposium, senior researchers present their work while early career researchers present ongoing projects or research proposals.
The conference offers a valuable networking opportunity for young academics and introduces creative methods for their own academic advancement.
2025: Metamorphosis in psychedelic science
The uniMIND Symposium 2025 in Prague explores the risks, realities, and potentials of psychedelic substances and altered states of consciousness across a range of applications, including medicine, psychotherapy, neuroscience, and cultural studies.
The “Metamorphosis” theme pays homage to the transformative nature of psychedelics and the growing body of evidence supporting their therapeutic potential and increasing public acceptance. At the same time, it reflects the Kafkaesque challenges they face: entangled in regulatory labyrinths, public skepticism, and cultural stigma. This duality mirrors a broader metamorphosis in how these substances are understood within scientific and medical communities and their evolving role in modern society.
The uniMIND Symposium invites participants from various backgrounds to engage in critical discussions on the role of psychedelics and altered states of consciousness in research, healthcare, and society.
Collaboration with NUDZ
The uniMIND Symposium 2025 is being organized in collaboration with staff from the National Institute of Mental Health (NUDZ) in Czechia, specifically its renowned Psychedelic Research Center. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing psychedelic science and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue.
Adding to the momentum of the Symposium, NUDZ will host a two-day workshop on psychedelic research on the following Monday and Tuesday at its facilities. Together, these events create a back-to-back experience that complements each other, offering attendees deeper insights and broader opportunities for learning and engagement.
More information and registration details for the NUDZ workshop will be available soon. Stay tuned!
Exclusive screening: Doctor on a Trip
Among the many exciting activities at the uniMIND Symposium 2025 will be an exclusive premiere screening of the documentary film Doctor on a Trip, which will be in English. This is just one month after its original release in Czech.
Get your tickets here:
Early Bird Tickets are available now only for a few weeks. Get yours now while they last!
About the uniMIND Symposium
- An inspiring venue: Held at the prestigious First Medical Faculty of Charles University, in the historic center of Prague.
- Engaging presentations: Six talks from brilliant early-career researchers across diverse disciplines.
- Expert insights: Four keynote speeches by senior researchers and clinicians in psychedelic science.
- Interactive learning: A Problem-Based Learning phase exploring metamorphosis in psychedelic research, therapy, and culture.
- Innovative panel discussion: Featuring emerging experts and fresh perspectives.
- Exclusive premiere: Screening of the upcoming film Doctor on a Trip.
- Networking: Valuable opportunities to connect with peers and experts.
- Social dinner: A separate-signup evening event for relaxed discussions and connections.
- Early Career Researchers
Present your ideas, gain constructive feedback, and engage in interdisciplinary exchange. This symposium is an opportunity to connect with peers and senior researchers, broadening your academic horizons. - Clinicians and Healthcare Professionals
Learn about cutting-edge therapeutic approaches and emerging clinical evidence. Engage in discussions that challenge conventional frameworks and explore new perspectives on individual and population-level mental health. - Policy Makers and Advocates
Join a thoughtful examination of the regulatory, societal, and ethical implications of psychedelics. This is a platform to discuss practical solutions to challenges in policymaking and implementation. - Anyone Interested in Mental Health and Human Development
Participate in discussions that explore the transformative potential of psychedelics. Whether you're academically inclined or a curious observer, the symposium provides meaningful insights and fosters informed dialogue.
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an interactive, participant-centered approach that fosters critical thinking and collaboration. At the uniMIND Symposium, attendees will join focus groups centered on the theme of metamorphosis in psychedelic research, therapy, and human development.
Before the event, participants will receive preparatory reading materials to stimulate informed discussions during a one-hour group work phase. Each group will select a speaker to present their findings in an expert panel following the PBL session, encouraging the exchange of diverse perspectives and collective insights.
We are actively working on providing financial support for early career speakers and other qualified attendees. Applications for various grants are underway to establish a scholarship program. Our priority is to cover travel and participation costs for the six selected early career speakers and, if possible, to extend the scholarship program to other eligible participants. Updates will be shared as soon as further details become available.
The uniMIND Symposium 2025 will be hosted at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague. This prestigious institution, located in the heart of one of Europe’s most historic cities, provides an inspiring academic setting for the event.
The exact lecture hall and discussion rooms will be announced closer to the date, along with details on how to navigate the venue. Keep an eye on updates for logistical information and travel recommendations!
Address:
Institute of Physiology - Charles University in Prague - 1st Faculty of Medicine
Kateřinská 1660/32, 121 08 Nové Město,
Prague, Czechia
Anyone is welcome to submit an abstract, regardless of academic discipline or level. Submissions can include:
- Ongoing or completed projects related to psychedelic or consciousness research.
- Innovative research ideas addressing critical knowledge gaps in the field.
- Cases from clinical practice that are well contextualized in theory and practice.
- Concepts suggesting significant advances in science, therapy, or societal applications.
- Submissions from all disciplines connecting to the broader theme of Metamorphosis.
Abstracts must be submitted through the Oxford Abstracts submission form, you'll need to create an account to use the platform. If you encounter any issues or have questions, feel free to contact us at uniMIND@mind-foundation.org.
Program
9:00 | Doors Open |
9:30 | Opening Address |
9:40 | Keynotes 1 & 2 |
10:40 | Junior Talk |
11:00 | Coffee Break |
11:20 | Junior Talks 2 - 4 |
12:20 | Keynote 3 |
13:00 | Lunch Break |
14:30 | PBL / Film Screening |
15:30 | Panel Discussion |
16:30 | Coffee Break |
16:50 | Junior Talks 5 & 6 |
17:30 | Keynote 4 |
18:00 | Closing |
19:30 | Dinner (separate signup) |
Location
Institute of Physiology - Charles University in Prague - 1st Faculty of Medicine
Kateřinská 1660/32, 121 08 Nové Město, Prague, Czechia
Meet the organizers
The uniMIND Symposium is collaboratively organized by a the MIND Foundation and the journal club uniMIND Prague as well as the Psychedelic Research Institute at National Center of Mental Health in Czechia and the student association MEDSOC at the First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University Prague.
Find below further information about the organizers:
Impressions from the uniMIND Symposium at Maastricht University (2022)
















Credit where it's due:
Maria Sibylla Merian
The uniMIND Symposium 2025 graphics are inspired by and based on illustrations by Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717), who was a pioneering German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator that revolutionized the field of entomology. Her groundbreaking work on insect metamorphosis, particularly her detailed and scientifically accurate illustrations of moths, butterflies, and their life cycles, set new standards for natural history illustration.
Merian's meticulous observations and artistic talent allowed her to make significant contributions to both art and science during a time when women were largely excluded from these fields. Her most famous work, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium (1705), transformed the way natural history was studied and presented. It provided unprecedented insights into tropical biodiversity, depicting insects in their ecological contexts alongside host plants and habitats. This innovative approach not only advanced scientific understanding but also bridged art and science, influencing both fields for generations.
