Happy 30th KPU!

The Koestler Parapsychology Unit, based at The University of Edinburgh, is celebrating its 30^th anniversary.

Founder member Caroline Watt first became interested in the psychological reasons behind apparently paranormal phenomena while writing an essay on the topic in her final year exams at St Andrews University. Dozens of students have undertaken PhDs at the unit and some have gone on to establish new parapsychology research centres at other universities. Dr Watt said there had been a few ups and downs over the years including a restructure of the department after the death of the unit's head, Professor Robert Morris, in 2004 [see the piece in 2006]. She added: 'However, the restructuring put us on a much more secure footing and the continuing staff, me and Dr Peter Lamont, are now fully integrated with the work of the psychology department and the wider University, both of which are beneficial for parapsychology, in my opinion.'

The future of the unit will remain based in research and teaching in parapsychology, but Watt has plans to increase its public engagement. She said: 'My online parapsychology course is thriving, and I have a book, Parapsychology: A beginner's guide, in the hopper. And I've co-created a Science of the Paranormal interactive workshop with Professor Richard Wiseman. It's touring science festivals this year, from Brighton to Orkney, and I'm going to be staging it at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe, I can't wait!'