Parapsychology in Academia: A List of Institutes, Colleges, and Research Bodies Known for Parapsychology Programs

Parapsychology is the scientific study of psychic phenomena such as extrasensory perception (ESP), telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis. While often viewed as fringe science by mainstream academics, the field has maintained a presence in universities and research institutes for nearly a century. From pioneering labs in the early 20th century to ongoing units today, several academic bodies have conducted experiments, offered courses, or hosted dedicated research programs. This blog article provides a curated list of notable institutes, colleges, and other academic entities known for parapsychology programs or labs, drawing from historical records and current sources. The list includes both past and present examples, focusing on those with documented research or educational efforts.

Here is a list of key academic bodies:

• Duke University Parapsychology Laboratory (1930-1965): One of the earliest and most influential university-based programs in the United States. Led by psychologist J.B. Rhine (often called the father of modern parapsychology) and supported by William McDougall, the lab conducted extensive experiments on ESP using Zener cards and other methods. It operated within Duke’s psychology department before Rhine retired in 1965 and moved the research to an independent center. The work helped popularize terms like ESP and laid foundational statistical approaches to psi research.

• Rhine Research Center (1965-present, formerly tied to Duke University): Established as the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man after Rhine left Duke, this independent nonprofit in Durham, North Carolina, continues the original mission. It conducts studies on consciousness, ESP, and related phenomena while offering online certificate programs in scientific parapsychology through its Rhine Education Center. It remains one of the longest-operating parapsychology-focused organizations in the United States.

• University of Virginia Division of Perceptual Studies (1967-present): Housed within the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at UVA’s medical school, this unit was founded by Dr. Ian Stevenson. It investigates phenomena suggesting survival of consciousness after death, including reincarnation cases (especially in children), near-death experiences, out-of-body experiences, and apparitions. The division emphasizes empirical, case-study-based research and continues active investigations today.

• Princeton University Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) Laboratory (1979-2007): Directed by engineer Robert Jahn, this lab in Princeton’s engineering school explored mind-matter interactions using random event generators and other devices to test for psychokinesis and ESP. It produced large datasets claiming small but statistically significant effects. The program closed in 2007 but left a legacy in consciousness and anomalous cognition studies.

• Stanford Research Institute (SRI International) Parapsychology Program (1972-1991): Based in Menlo Park, California, SRI (now an independent research institute) conducted classified and public studies on remote viewing and psychokinesis. Researchers Harold Puthoff and Russell Targ led much of the work, which later influenced government programs like Stargate. While not a traditional university department, it represented significant academic-level parapsychology research during the Cold War era.

• University of Edinburgh Koestler Parapsychology Unit (1985-present): Located in the Psychology Department at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, this unit was endowed by author Arthur Koestler. The first holder of the Koestler Chair was psychologist Robert Morris. It offers teaching, supervises postgraduate research, and studies psi phenomena, belief in the paranormal, anomalous experiences, and related topics. It remains one of the few active university-based programs offering structured parapsychology education in Europe.

• University of Arizona Veritas Research Program / Veritas Laboratory (2000s-present): Directed by psychologist Gary Schwartz, this program at the University of Arizona investigates mediumship, survival of consciousness, and related phenomena. It has conducted controlled studies with mediums and explores questions about personality persisting after death. The lab operates within the university’s academic framework and has produced peer-reviewed publications.

• University of California, Santa Barbara Theoretical and Applied NeuroCasuality Laboratory (TANC Lab, ongoing): A privately funded research lab within UC Santa Barbara’s psychology department, led by Jonathan Schooler. It applies psychology and theoretical physics to study precognition and other anomalous cognition topics. While not a full department program, it represents active academic inquiry into parapsychological questions.

• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Parapsychology Laboratory (1967-1978): Housed in the Neuropsychiatric Institute, this lab (not a formal department) was led by psychologist Thelma Moss. Researchers studied clairvoyance, telepathy, haunted houses, and psi development. It operated with university facilities but without direct funding and closed in 1978.

• California Institute for Human Science (CIHS) Parapsychology Concentration (recent): This accredited institution offers a Master of Arts in Psychology with a Parapsychology Concentration, along with related PhD options. It provides one of the few formal graduate-level programs focused on parapsychology in the United States, blending mainstream psychology with consciousness and subtle energy research.

Other notable mentions include the University of Northampton in the UK (which offers undergraduate modules in parapsychology and anomalous experience), Goldsmiths, University of London (Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit), and international efforts such as Lund University’s Center for Research on Consciousness and Anomalous Psychology in Sweden.

Parapsychology programs have often faced skepticism, funding challenges, and institutional resistance, leading many to operate as small labs, independent centers, or concentrations within broader psychology or psychiatry departments. Despite this, they have produced decades of data, publications, and training opportunities. Interest persists today through online courses, private institutes, and occasional university research.

References

• Academic Institutions Offering Parapsychology Studies (Connecticut State Community College Library Guide)

• Rhine Research Center Official Site.

• University of Virginia Division of Perceptual Studies Resources.

• “13 University-Sanctioned Paranormal Research Projects” (Mental Floss).

• Wikipedia entries on specific programs (for historical overviews, cross-referenced with primary sources).

• Parapsychology research at SRI (Wikipedia). Early Studies in Parapsychology at Duke (Duke University Exhibits).

• MA in Psychology - Parapsychology Concentration (California Institute for Human Science).