Are You Really in Control?

Join us for a groundbreaking panel discussion exploring the intricate relationship between metacognition and agency, two of the most captivating fields in contemporary psychology. This event will delve into an important but often overlooked question: What role does metacognition play in our internal sense of agency?

Metacognition, our ability to reflect on and control our own cognitive processes, and agency, our sense of being the authors of our actions, seem deeply intertwined. Yet, much of our cognitive functioning happens beneath the surface of conscious awareness. Despite the vivid feeling of intent, research suggests that our decisions and actions are often driven by subconscious processes. This paradox opens up exciting avenues of debate—how do we reconcile the feeling of free will with the cognitive mechanisms operating below the radar?

To help us untangle this web of questions, we have three leading experts:

- Dr. Steve Fleming, a renowned neuroscientist specializing in metacognition, whose work explores how we reflect on our own thoughts and decisions, and how this self-awareness shapes behavior.

- Dr. Maxine Sherman, is an expert in metacognition, focusing on how we evaluate confidence in our decisions and mental states, particularly in understanding our own thoughts and inferring others’ beliefs.

- Dr. Patrick Haggard, a pioneer in the study of human agency and intentionality, whose research investigates how we perceive control over our actions and the neural underpinnings of volition.

Through a lively and thought-provoking discussion, this panel will explore the overlap between metacognitive awareness and the sense of agency, asking whether there is room for common ground between these areas of psychology. Can metacognitive processes help illuminate the mysterious phenomenon of intent? And what implications does this have for our understanding of free will and conscious decision-making?

Host or Publisher UCL Psychology Society