TheKoestler Parapsychology Unit is a research group established in 1985 at theUniversity of Edinburgh, in Scotland, to teach and conduct research concerning various aspects ofparapsychology.[1]It hosts the only endowed chair of parapsychology in the UK, established by a bequest following the suicide in 1983 of internationally acclaimed intellectual, writer and journalistArthur Koestler.[2]The first person to hold the chair, beginning in 1985, wasRobert L. Morris.[2]John Beloff and Joshua Snyder were instrumental in setting it up.[3][4] The chair is currently held by ProfessorCaroline Watt.[5]
The unit interprets parapsychology events to include in its remit "what’s not psychic but looks like it" and makes no judgement about the mechanisms underlying apparent paranormal events.[2] Its focus is primarily on understanding why people believe they have psi experiences, and on how to improve the scientific rigour of studies.[6]
The unit includes the Koestler Parapsychology Library.[7]
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