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The Helix Center for Interdisciplinary Investigation

Where Disciplines Converge
and Ideas Emerge

A university without walls – drawing together Nobel laureates, MacArthur Fellows, and pioneering thinkers from every discipline for unrehearsed intellectual exchange.

Since 2012, The Helix Center has hosted more than 500 of the world's most distinguished scholars, scientists, artists, and public intellectuals for free interdisciplinary roundtable discussions at the The Marianne & Nicholas Young Auditorium on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Every event is free, open to the public, and archived on our website.

Watch our latest Roundtable

Attend or Stream an Upcoming Roundtable

Sun
Nov 8th
2026

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Stream

Fail Again, Fail Better

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. – Samuel Beckett Why do NY Mets fans stay true to their team, season after losing season? The answer may have to do with the kind of delirious joy they experience when that special year comes around and they finally win the World Series. But... read more! »

Recent Roundtables

Sat
Oct 4th
2025

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See Memory

An Afternoon of Art, Neuroscience & Storytelling Join us for the New York premiere of the newly expanded 2025 edition of See Memory—the Bronze Telly Award–winning, hand-painted short documentary that premiered on PBS this spring. Created by filmmaker and visual artist Viviane Silvera, See Memory brings the invisible workings of memory, trauma, and healing to life through over 40,000 individually painted... read more! »

Sat
Sep 20th
2025

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Resurgence of Freud

For most of the 20th century Freud’s thoughts were foundational in understanding mental functioning while also offering the consensus approach to treating mental conditions, from neurosis to other more severe psychopathologies. With the advent of psychotropic medications and advances delving more deeply into the brain’s biology, the psychoanalytic theories of Freud and his followers lost much... read more! »

Sat
May 10th
2025

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Neurodiversity

This roundtable explores the concept of neurodiversity – recognizing variations in neurological function – challenging conventional notions of deficit and considering empathetic approaches to support individuals with diverse cognitive experiences.

Sat
Apr 19th
2025

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Mindfulness Meditation: Benefits and Dilemmas

This roundtable critically examines the widespread practice of mindfulness meditation, exploring both its potential benefits and emerging concerns regarding commodification, efficacy, and possible adverse effects on mental wellbeing.

Sat
Mar 22nd
2025

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Music and Mind

This roundtable explores the profound connection between music and human experience, investigating its mathematical foundations, neurological impact, cultural significance, and ability to evoke emotion and community.

Sat
Jan 11th
2025

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Why War?

This roundtable delves into the complex roots of warfare, examining psychological, sociological, and political factors – from innate aggression to social oppression and nationalism – in pursuit of understanding how to mitigate conflict.

See All Roundtables

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