The Science of Weird Sh*t: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal

Around a third of the UK population claim to have had some kind of paranormal experience, with around 40% having directly experienced a ghost or haunting. Chris French, Professor of anomalistic psychology at Goldsmith’s University, has a specialism in non- paranormal explanations for ostensibly paranormal experiences as well as the psychology of belief in conspiracy theories. He joins us today to explain what might be going on when we become spooked, from a rational, science-based perspective.

Drawing from his forthcoming new book, The Science of Weird Shit: Why Our Brains Conjure the Paranormal – covering everything from alien abduction to ghosts, psychic powers to visions of the Virgin Mary appearing in a cheese sandwich – Chris explores how far psychology can go to explain these kinds of beliefs and what underlies them.

We are also thrilled to be joined by spoken-word artist Rick Dove, who uses his background in psychology to unite the perspectives of artists and scientists through the medium of poetry.