THE CAMBRIDGE STATISTICS DISCUSSION GROUP
(JOINT MEETING WITH CAMBRIDGE HUMANIST SOCIETY)
Thursday 25th November 1999 7:45 for 8:00
Bevin Room,
Churchill College,
Storey's Way,
Cambridge
Investigating the Paranormal
Richard Wiseman,
University Of Hertfordsire,
Hatfield
Abstract: Many people claim to be psychic. Join Dr Richard Wiseman as he
reports on some of the very latest developments in this controversial field of
research including investigations of psychic detectives, religious leaders
claiming miraculous powers, psychic surgeons, the Indian Rope Trick and
even a psychic dog. Dr Wiseman will also be revealing some of the secrets
behind the tricks used to fake psychic ability and will be talking about
his recent mass participation experiments designed to promote the public
understanding of science.
Speaker: Dr Richard Wiseman obtained a First Class honours degree in
psychology from University College London and a doctorate in psychology
from Edinburgh University.
He currently heads the Perrott Warrick Research Unit, funded by the
University of Cambridge and based at the University of Hertfordshire. This
Unit examines unusual areas within psychology including: the psychology of
the paranormal, the psychology of deception and lying and the psychology of
luck and intuition.
He has written over 60 papers in academic journals (including Psychological
Bulletin, The British Journal of Psychology and Nature), many newspapers
articles (including The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph and The Times) and
published 5 books.
Dr Wiseman regularly appears on the media and has contributed to over 200
television and radio items. Science shows covering his work have included
BBC2's Horizon, Channel 4's Equinox and BBC1's QED. He is aalso a regular
guest on BBC1's Tomorrow's World. Radio items include Radio 4's Science
Now, All In The Mind and Start The Week. Appearences on popular television
include This Morning, Kilroy, the Vanessa Show and GMTV. He co-presented
BBC1's Out of This World program with Carol Vorderman, and has recently
written and presented a six part science series on the BBC Radio.
He has also been invited to give public talks at the International Science
Festival, British Association for the Advancement of Science Festival, The
Royal Society, Royal Television Society and Royal Society for Arts,
Manufactures and Commerce.
Directions: Directions for the Bevin Room can be obtained from the porter's
lodge located at the front of the building on the left. Parking is
available at the rear of the college.
Next Meetings:
3rd February - David Brown (Babraham Institute) on 'How Does the Brain
Compute?'
April - Jim Slattery (Medicines Control Agency).
4th May - Jennifer Potts (Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit).
Supper: Some members eat regularly in the University Centre before
each meeting at 6-15. Feel free to join them.
Subscriptions: of 4 pounds per member are now due for the 1999-2000 session.
Cheques should be made payable to Robert Milroy and may be posted
to the secretary at the address below.
Secretary: Peter Watson, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit,
15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge CB2 2EF;telephone 01223 355294 Extension 380;
E-mail [log in to unmask]
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