Interdisciplinary International Symposium at Durham University: Exploring the SETI and UAP Debate
I recently came across a thought-provoking article in The Guardian written by Prof. Michael Bohlander, discussing the pressing need for serious examination of UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena). He draws attention to the upcoming symposium titled “Grounding the SETI and UAP Debate: Law, Evidence, and Anticipated Futures,” which will take place at Durham Law School. This esteemed institution is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and holds a position in the global top 100.
In the Guardian article, Bohlander encourages readers to engage with this interdisciplinary event scheduled for April 24. You can read about the symposium here.
The agenda promises to cover a range of intriguing topics, including the following:
Session 1
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Philippe Ailleris (Senior Project Controller, ESA)
Towards a Systematic Framework for UAP Evidence Evaluation: Introducing The Rainier Scale -
Dr. Michael C. Cifone (Philosopher of Science)
Down to Earth: Characterizing the Landscape of (Scientific) UAP Studies -
Dr. Beatriz Villarroel (Astronomer, Nordita)
Searches for Near-Earth Extraterrestrial Artifacts with Hypothesis-Driven Science
Q&A Session
Session 2
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Chris Senn
Structuring Archiving and Search Parameters for the “Archives of the Impossible” -
Andreas Anton, alongside Michael Bohlander and John Elliott
First Results from the Global Survey: “Contact with Extraterrestrial Intelligence – Projected Perceptions and Reactions Among Global Societies” -
Christian Peters
Alien Minds and the Challenges of Political Epistemology in the UAP Phenomenon
Q&A Session
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Eric Hilgendorf (Professor of Law, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg)
Contemplating the Alien: The Impact of SETI on Human Self-Image -
Prof. Michael Bohlander
Alien Encounter Narratives in the Courts – Part 2: Findings -
Dr. Angelia Jia Wang (Associate Professor, Durham Law School)
Monopolizing High-Tech in the Hands of Powerful Humans After Contact with Extraterrestrial Civilizations
Q&A Session
In a related note, it’s worth mentioning that Durham University hosted a similar event last year. You can learn more about it here.
This symposium presents a unique opportunity to dive deeper into the intersection of law, science, and our understanding of UAPs. I hope to see some of you there!
It sounds like the upcoming interdisciplinary symposium at Durham University is set to be an exciting and intellectually stimulating event! The combination of law, science, and philosophy in exploring the implications of UAP and SETI is a timely and crucial area of inquiry. The diverse expertise among the speakers, from evaluating UAP evidence to understanding the societal impacts of potential extraterrestrial contact, seems poised to generate rich discussions.
The structure of the sessions appears well thought out, with sessions dedicated to evidence evaluation, historical context, and the philosophical underpinnings of our understanding of UAP. I’m particularly intrigued by the emphasis on systematic frameworks, such as The Rainier Scale, for evaluating evidence—this could be a significant step towards more rigorous scientific approaches in this field.
It’s also noteworthy how this symposium builds on Durham’s previous events, like the “Alien Conversations” in 2023, proposing a continuity in scholarship and inquiry that reflects growing interest and legitimacy in the study of UAPs and potential extraterrestrial intelligence.
Looking forward to hearing more about the outcomes and insights from this symposium! It’s undoubtedly a pivotal moment for serious discourse on these subjects.