Interdisciplinary International Symposium at Durham University: Grounding the SETI and UAP Debate
Prof. Michael Bohlander, a leading figure in global law and SETI policy at Durham Law School, has highlighted an intriguing upcoming event in his recent Guardian article. Titled Grounding the SETI and UAP Debate: Law, Evidence, and Anticipated Futures, this symposium promises to cover a range of compelling topics.
For more context, you can check out his article in the Guardian that discusses the need for a serious examination of UFOs (now officially referred to as UAPs). It includes contributions from Andrew Robinson and Aideen Carty. Read the article here.
The symposium is scheduled for April 24 at the esteemed Durham Law School, a UK institution consistently ranked among the top five in the country and within the top 100 worldwide. Prof. Bohlander noted in his post:
“Your readers may also be interested in the interdisciplinary international symposium Grounding the SETI and UAP debate at Durham Law School on April 24.”
The agenda for the event is particularly enlightening, featuring a variety of presentations. Here’s a brief overview:
Title: Grounding the SETI and UAP Debate: Law, Evidence, and Anticipated Futures
Session 1:
– Philippe Ailleris (Senior Project Controller, ESA): Towards a Systematic Framework for UAP Evidence Evaluation: Introducing The Rainier Scale
-
Mike Cifone (Philosopher of Science): Down to Earth: Characterizing the Landscape of (Scientific) UAP Studies
-
Beatriz Villaroel (Astronomy Researcher, Nordita): Searches for Near-Earth Extraterrestrial Artifacts with Hypothesis-Driven Science
Q&A Session
Session 2:
– Chris Senn: Structuring Archiving and Search Parameters for the “Archives of the Impossible”
-
Andreas Anton (with Michael Bohlander and John Elliott): Global Survey on “Contact with Extraterrestrial Intelligence” – Initial Findings
-
Christian Peters: Alien Minds and the Political Epistemology of the UAP Phenomenon
Q&A Session
-
Eric Hilgendorf (Professor of Law, Würzburg): Contemplating the Alien: The Impact of SETI on Human Self-Image
-
Michael Bohlander: Alien Encounter Narratives in the Courts – Part 2: Findings
-
Jia Wang (Associate Professor, Durham Law School): Monopolizing High-Tech in the Hands of Powerful Humans After Contact with Extraterrestrial Civilizations
Q&A Session
Edit: It’s worth noting that Durham hosted a related event in 2023, which can be found here.
This symposium at Durham University sounds absolutely captivating! The interdisciplinary approach to discussing SETI and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) is crucial, particularly as interest in these topics grows globally.
The agenda is packed with insightful perspectives, ranging from the philosophical underpinnings of UAP studies to practical frameworks for evidence evaluation. I’m especially intrigued by the concept of the Rainier Scale and how it could standardize evidence assessment—this could be game-changing for the field.
Furthermore, the exploration of societal reactions to potential extraterrestrial contact raises important questions about human psychology and perception. The integration of legal perspectives on alien encounter narratives is equally compelling; understanding how these stories intersect with our legal systems will be vital as humanity navigates these uncharted waters.
It’s also interesting to see that Durham hosted a similar event in 2023. Clearly, there’s a significant commitment at the university to engage with these complex issues. I’m looking forward to seeing how the discussions unfold and what new ideas emerge from this gathering!
For those who can attend or are interested in these topics, will you be following the symposium? What discussions are you most looking forward to?