Open Grave Open Minds (OGOM) & Supernatural Cities are holding The Urban Weird conference at the University of Hertfordshire on 6-7 April, 2018

The conference website says:

"The OGOM Project is known for its imaginative events and symposia, which are often accompanied by a media frenzy. We were the first to invite vampires into the academy back in 2010. Our most recent endeavour, Company of Wolves: Werewolves, Shapeshifters and Feral Humans enjoyed extensive coverage globally and saw us congratulated in the THES for our ambitious 3 day programme which included actual wolves, ‘a first for a UK academy’. Our fourth conference will be an exciting collaboration with the Supernatural Cities: Narrated Geographies and Spectral Histories project at the University of Portsmouth. Supernatural Cities will enjoy its third regeneration, having previously convened in Portsmouth and Limerick."

Robert Gordon University Aberdeen are organising a conference titled Supernatural in Contemporary Society.

The conference will take place on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 August 2018.

Their webpage states:

"The media reports ghostly encounters, supernatural TV and films continue to be popular genres, and professionalised groups and organisations offer commercial experiences of the otherworldly. It seems that regardless of scientific progress and rationale thought, the allure of the extraordinary still prevails.

The Supernatural in Contemporary Society Conference (SCSC) aims to explore the continuing role of the supernatural. SCSC intends to provide an interdisciplinary forum to discuss current and emerging research, and examine these in relation to the impact and value this has on culture, heritage and tourism. In addition, industry professionals are invited to discuss current and emerging issues."

Erika A. Pratte at the University of Northampton is seeking participants for a new research study into Near-Death Experiences:

"The following questionnaire is part of a psychology doctorate degree project at the University of Northampton; it explores near-death experiences (NDEs) and adjustment to life post-NDE. People who have a subjective experience close to death or when temporarily dead have what is called a near-death experience (NDE). An NDE may involve characteristics such as seeing a bright light, going through a dark tunnel or void, seeing a spectacular place, meeting deceased loved ones or a “higher being,” and having an out-of-body experience (seeing your body while your awareness is outside of your body)."

For further information and to contribute to Erika's research please see her survey

Social context of anomalous experiences in a spiritual support-seeking population

This study, by Charlie Heriot-Maitland, aims to explore relationships between social factors and anomalous experiences, like changes in perception, spiritual-type experiences, hearing voices, or extrasensory communications.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY?

Many people describe having anomalous experiences. For some these experiences have a negative impact on their life and result in input from mental health services. For others, these experiences have a positive impact and can be life-enriching. This research aims to explore the protective social factors that might enable people to integrate their experiences in a helpful way. We would like to recruit people who have recently accessed a support network for spiritual crisis/emergence. For this study, it is not important how you describe or explain your own experiences, but if you have look for support through a spiritual network, then we would love to hear from you.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

Taking part will involve meeting with the researcher, either in person or via Skype, to discuss your experiences. This will last about 1 hour, including a short interview about your experiences and some questionnaires about, e.g., how you see yourself in relation to others. We are able to offer you £15 remuneration for your time. If you are eligible to also participate in the online follow-up part of the study, we will be able to offer you a further £10 for each assessment point, so a maximum of £35 for all three assessment points (0, 3, and 6 months).

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?

Please contact charles.heriot-maitland@kcl.ac.uk or visit
http://research.anomalousexperiences.com/study3