Humanists UK is delighted to announce the appointment of its newest patron, Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Anil Seth. He joins a stable of over 200 Humanists UK patrons with notable careers in arts, literature, science, academia, politics, and community and civic activism.
With more than two decades of research and outreach experience, Anil’s mission is to advance the science of consciousness and to use its insights for the benefit of society, technology, and medicine. An internationally leading researcher, Anil is also a renowned public speaker, best-selling author, and sought-after collaborator.
Anil is Director of the Centre for Consciousness Science at the University of Sussex as well as Co-Director of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Program on Brain, Mind, and Consciousness and a European Research Council Advanced Investigator. He has published more than 200 research papers and has been recognised by Web of Science, over several years, as being in the top 0.1% of researchers worldwide. His 2017 TED talk, Your brain hallucinates your conscious reality, has been viewed over fifteen million times. He was awarded the Royal Society Michael Faraday Prize in 2023 and in 2014 he was listed by Prospect magazine as one of the top 25 global thinkers. His book Being You: A New Science of Consciousness was an instant Sunday Times bestseller and a 2021 book of the year for the Economist, New Statesman, Bloomberg Business, Guardian, and Financial Times.
He delivered the 2025 Humanists UK Voltaire Lecture, exploring the nature of consciousness in living organisms and related questions about whether artificial consciousness could ever exist. As part of the event, he was awarded Humanists UK’s inaugural Rationalist Press Lecture Medal.
Commenting on Anil’s appointment, Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:
‘We’re thrilled to welcome Anil Seth as our latest patron. Anil’s work does more than just explain the mechanics of the brain, it fundamentally challenges and enriches our understanding of what it means to be human. At a time when understanding who we are is more important than ever, we are honoured to have such a lucid and compelling voice joining us to champion the power of rational inquiry.’
Commenting on his appointment, Anil Seth said:
‘It is an honour to join Humanists UK as a patron. In today’s world, their mission of bringing people together to make sense of the world through logic, reason, and evidence is more important than ever. I’m delighted to be part of it.’
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For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3072 or 07534 248 596.
Humanists UK has over 200 patrons who support its work in various ways through their expertise and prominence in various fields. Existing patrons include significant figures from the spheres of science, philosophy, human rights activism, politics, the arts, and broadcasting. The President of Humanists UK is the geneticist, science writer, and broadcaster, Dr Adam Rutherford. He is supported by Vice Presidents Professor Alice Roberts, Shaparak Khorsandi, Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Professor AC Grayling, Polly Toynbee, and Professor Laurie Taylor.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.