Research in Abnormal Psychology

Abstract

IT was suggested in a leading article in NATURE of December 23, 1933, that the scientific investigation of abnormal psychical phenomena might be undertaken in university departments or other institutions of learning in Great Britain. Particulars have now reached us of the formation for this purpose of a group, including some members of the University of London, under the title of the University of London Council for Psychical Investigation. The Council includes: Prof. F. A. P. Aveling, Dr. Guy B. Brown, Prof. Cyril Burt, Prof. J. C. Flugel, Mr. C. E. M. Joad, Mr. C. A. Mace, Prof. J. MacMurray, Dr. Eric D. Macnamara, Mr. S. G. Soal and Prof. E. S. Waterhouse. Mr. Harry Price, late director of the National Laboratory of Psychical Research, is the honorary secretary, and Miss Ethel Beenham (formerly secretary of the National Laboratory) has been appointed secretary. Through the generosity of Mr. Price, the new organisation has been equipped with the apparatus, instruments, workshops, records and research library belonging to his laboratory. We believe that the new Council is the first academic group in Great Britain formed to study the alleged phenomena of the seance room, and the first in any country to possess a laboratory specially equipped for the study of abnormal phenomena. The present address of the Council is 130, Roland Gardens, South Kensington, London, S.W.7.