The Koestler Chair of Parapsychology is a unique academic post dedicated to the scientific study of paranormal phenomena. It is housed within the Koestler Parapsychology Unit (KPU) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Established in 1985 through a bequest from writer and journalist Arthur Koestler and his wife Cynthia, the Chair is one of the few endowed positions in the world devoted specifically to parapsychological research within a mainstream university.

 

Founding & Funding

  • Endowment Year: 1985.
  • Founder: Arthur Koestler, known for his novels, essays, and interest in the paranormal.
  • Bequest: Koestler left part of his estate to fund a permanent academic position for the scientific investigation of paranormal and anomalous human experiences.
  • Institutional Host: University of Edinburgh, Department of Psychology.

Mission & Research Scope

The Koestler Chair’s mandate is to:

  • Conduct empirical and theoretical research into parapsychology and anomalistic psychology.
  • Investigate claims of extrasensory perception (ESP), psychokinesis (PK), precognition, and related phenomena.
  • Explore psychological factors underlying paranormal beliefs and experiences.
  • Disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and public engagement.

The Koestler Parapsychology Unit (KPU)

The Chair is integrated into the KPU, which serves as a research group and training center for students pursuing MSc and PhD degrees in parapsychology-related topics. The KPU’s focus includes:

  • Experimental Parapsychology: Laboratory studies of ESP, remote viewing, ganzfeld protocols, and PK.
  • Anomalistic Psychology: Cognitive, perceptual, and social factors influencing paranormal reports.
  • Field Investigations: Poltergeist cases, hauntings, and spontaneous psi experiences.
  • Meta-Analyses: Statistical evaluations of existing parapsychology datasets.

Notable Holders of the Koestler Chair

  • Professor Robert L. Morris (1985–2004): The inaugural Koestler Professor, Morris emphasized methodological rigor, collaboration with skeptics, and bridging parapsychology with mainstream psychology.
  • Professor Caroline Watt (2010–present): Formerly a research assistant to Morris, Watt focuses on both parapsychology and anomalistic psychology, including dream ESP studies, precognition experiments, and surveys of paranormal beliefs.

Notable Graduates of the Program

The KPU has produced a number of graduates who have gone on to make significant contributions in parapsychology, anomalistic psychology, and related fields:

  • Dr. Chris Roe – Professor of Psychology at the University of Northampton and Director of its Centre for the Study of Anomalous Psychological Processes; current President of the Society for Psychical Research.
  • Dr. Caroline Watt – Became Koestler Chair herself in 2010; known for ESP research, anomalistic psychology, and public science engagement.
  • Dr. Adrian Parker – Specialist in ganzfeld research, altered states, and spontaneous cases of apparent psi phenomena.
  • Dr. Lance Storm – Researcher in parapsychology and anomalistic psychology, with a focus on personality variables and psi performance.
  • Dr. Richard Wiseman – Former magician turned psychologist; well known for skeptical investigations of paranormal claims, mass participation experiments, and public science communication.
  • Dr. Matthew Smith – Specialist in the psychology of belief, magic, and misperception, with research into why people believe in the paranormal.

Key Contributions & Research Highlights

  • Development and refinement of ganzfeld protocols for ESP testing within an academic psychology setting.
  • Collaborative replication studies addressing methodological criticisms of earlier parapsychological research.
  • Comprehensive surveys on public attitudes toward the paranormal, identifying demographic and cognitive correlates of belief.
  • Experimental research on presentiment (physiological anticipation of future events) and precognition.
  • Studies on the psychology of coincidence and synchronicity.

Criticism & Challenges

  • Skeptics argue that the Chair legitimizes a controversial field lacking consistent empirical support.
  • Supporters counter that the position ensures rigorous, critical examination of claims rather than leaving the field to untrained investigators.
  • Funding pressures and shifts in university priorities have periodically raised concerns about the long-term stability of the position.

Impact & Legacy

  • The Koestler Chair has provided a rare academic home for parapsychology, enabling empirical research within a respected university setting.
  • The KPU has trained dozens of postgraduate researchers, many of whom continue work in related fields.
  • Its publications are widely cited in both parapsychological and skeptical literature.

References

  1. University of Edinburgh, Koestler Parapsychology Unit. Official Website.
  2. Koestler, A. (1972). The Roots of Coincidence. London: Hutchinson.
  3. Morris, R. L. (1990). Research at the Koestler Parapsychology Unit. European Journal of Parapsychology, 8, 77–87.
  4. Watt, C., & Wiseman, R. (2010). The Psychology of Paranormal Belief: A Researcher’s Handbook. Edinburgh: KPU Publications.