Research Overview
Experimental research and field investigation
I research exceptional and unusual capacities of consciousness and what the implications and applications. Of particular interest is ‘psi phenomena’ using both quantitative and qualitative information. Psi phenomena is the scientific term, in parapsychology, for what is more generally termed ‘psychic abilities’. Psychic abilities such as extra sensory perception (ESP) and psychokinesis (PK). I am interested in how they ‘work’ and how people people can cultivate these experiences for their own and collective good. Having studied at 5 UK universities so far, I teach and research as a post-grad with the University of Northampton and University of Central Lancashire on complementary projects. My projects explore the lived experience of psychic abilities in both adults and children and what these ‘mean’ for people especially over the lifespan. As such, I am very interested in ‘traits and states’. This entails examining the traits (personal characteristics) of people who seem to experience more psi phenomena and, the states of consciousness that facilitate them. This means exploring ‘sensory restriction’ tools and techniques (including REST, meditation, Ganzfeld and floatation) as these appear to support spontaneous phenomena even under experimental conditions.
<< image: that’s me in the Ganzfeld, pic by para-buddy Mike Daw
ESP and Altered States
My PhD project
Extra-sensory perception (ESP) aka ‘psychic abilities’ forms the focus of a lot of my work. My PhD projects has working title: Sensory isolation in floatation tanks as a method of promoting psi phenomena. It’s precisely that – an experiment involving people who float in a float tank for an hour, which is complemented by a precognition task. I am investigating the frequency of ‘correct guesses’ compared to chance expectation and, the phenomenology and states of consciousness of what people actually experience. Furthermore, I am examining the traits and characteristics of the participants including ‘sensory processing sensitivity’ (highly sensitive persons).
Sensory Processing Sensitivity
The ‘innate magic’ of HSPs
20% of the population are ‘highly sensitive’ – a population who think and feel everything very deeply. They take in and process sensory information especially fast and deep: this is information from both the environment around them and yet also, their inner world too. As a highly sensitive person (HSP) myself, I utilise my lens of lived experience to explore both the challenges and gifts of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). Challenges such as anxiety, self-doubt and sensory anomalies (e.g. synaesthesia, visual snow, tinnitus) -are often corresponding to what’s known as ‘vantage sensitivity’ such as heightened intuition, creativity, empathy and psi (psychic) experiences. Of particular interest for me, is the intersection of psi with sensitivity – and how we might cultivate such experiences of deep interconnection, for personal and collective growth.
<< image: Ginger Joe having an exemplar catnap.
WYRD
Mind-matter, Psychokinesis research
A member of team WYRD, I have the role of ‘chief research Wyrdo’. I support the ‘world’s only interactive consciousness lab’ – the WYRD Experience – at Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire. WYRD Experience houses the entire contents of the former Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research laboratory which ran for 28 years producing substantial data on the reality of psychokinesis (mind over matter) using Random Event Generator (REG) technology. You can come and play here (by appointment) and explore the experiments for yourself. We also conduct new PK research and develop new kit such as the ‘Wyrdoscope‘ designed to detect syntropy, or ‘changes in the field of consciousness’. I am also the liaison for others wishing to conduct research or experiments e.g. students in conjunction with their academic institutions. We also produce educational and psychospiritual events and retreats. Contact me if you’d like to arrange a visit or/ and to take part in research.
Take a look at WYRD: https://gowyrd.org/
<< image: that’s a selfie with a pear picture from the former PEAR lab
Anomalous experience Investigation
Private and public consulting
As well as working with experiencers to gently explore and integrate their psychic and anomalous experiences in a therapeutic coaching capacity, I have considerable field experience in investigating claims of anomalous environmental activity e.g. hauntings. I have consulted for media outlets including Most Haunted and was a leading feature in the BBC’s ‘Psychic Detectives’ show in 2005. As a conference speaker and contributor to formal investigative organisations, I am a member of the Spontaneous Case Committee at the Society for Psychical Research, and an unnamed ‘paranormal think-tank’. I have also served as a council member of the Scottish Society for Psychical Research, written for a number of peer and public publications and training guides and have supported ‘ghost-hunt’ groups across the UK and abroad in their investigatory technique, ethics, safety and interpretation of findings.
Please email me for any private, public (or media) queries.