A space for psychoanalytic research

To offer a space for psychoanalytic research and new perspectives on the problems raised in contemporary, Freudian, and clinical perspectives of psychoanalysis via TV programs, seminars, colloquia and conferences.

The development of theoretical, clinical and experimental research

To encourage the development of theoretical, clinical and experimental research between neuroscience and psychoanalysis, and to promote activities that bring together the arts, science and psychoanalysis in mutual dialogue with a team of researchers, graduate students and post-doctoral students.

Unique, cross-disciplinary research

To perform novel research at the intersection of neuroscience and psychoanalysis with an approach where psychoanalysis not strictly reduced to neurobiological facts, but rather to pose new questions in neuroscience from a psychoanalytic point of view.

The creative process

To explore the creative process and in particular, its relationship to the unconscious. Psychoanalysis is like musical or theatrical improvisation, where experience, repetition, and traces are continually utilized in a synchronic manner in the vertigo of the instant, in the delicate moment where everything could be played differently.

About us

The Agalma Foundation was founded in 2010 by Professors François Ansermet and Pierre Magistretti, with the support of Dr Christian de Saussure.

Professors Ansermet and Magistretti have co-written several texts on psychoanalysis and neuroscience, including the books “A chacun son cerveau” (Biology of Freedom), Odile Jacob 2004, and “Les énigmes du plaisir” (The puzzles of pleasure), Odile Jacob 2010.

The Agalma Foundation was created in order to further pursue their ideas.

Its aim is to offer a space to support research on the problems stemming from the confrontation of psychoanalysis with contemporary perspectives. This approach offers a new way to understand Freud’s ideas and clinical psychoanalysis.

Its task is to develop theoretical, clinical and experimental research between  neuroscience and psychoanalysis, and to promote activities that bring together the arts, science and psychoanalysis in mutual dialogue.

The Foundation is thus a laboratory for problem-setting and ideas, lending support to projects, and organizing meetings and exchanges between researchers across different disciplines who share a common interest in the questions generated by psychoanalysis.

Founding Members

François Ansermet is a psychoanalyst and Professor of Children’s Psychiatry at the University of Geneva, where he is the director of the University’s Department of Psychoanalysis, as well as the Chief of Services for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Geneva University’s Hospital (HUG).

 

Pierre Magistretti is a neurobiologist and Professor at Brain-Mind Institute at the EPFL and at the Center of Psychiatric Neurosciences, CHUV-UNIL.

 

Christian de Saussure is a psychiatrist based in Geneva who is accredited by the Swiss Federation of Doctors (FMH) and teaches at the University of Geneva and the University of Lyon. He is a council member of the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation.

Foundation council

The Agalma Foundation is directed by a three-member council responsible for defining the research direction, engagement in arts and science projects, the budget, administration, and its governing.

Administration

The administration of the council is overseen by the Secretary General. The administration council directs the foundation’s activities in collaboration with the foundation council.  It is also responsible for the foundation’s various partnerships.

Centre Dominique Mahieu Caputo
Psychoanalysis and research center dedicated to women and children

NeuroAnalysis
NeuroAnalysis is a website dedicated to Clinical Brain Profiling (CBP).

Prague Neuropsychoanalysis Group
The Prague Group is part of the International Neuropsychoanalysis Society and aims to be an active contributor to the Neuro-Psychoanalysis journal and to scientific congresses or workshops.

Psynem, information website about child psychiatry
Psynem is intended as a reference tool to be used by students, researchers and health professionals in child psychiatry. You can find videos, library resources and useful links.

School for Freudian Cause
The school aims to study psychoanalysis, in order to restore the truth, to share knowledge and to provide a scientific debate. The school offers an educational program and organizes seminars and conferences every year.

ZfL Berlin
The ZfL pursues interdisciplinary research in the areas of European cultural history and the history of science and knowledge.