Academy of Religion and Psychical Research

Organization founded in 1972 from a proposal developed in 1971 by J. Gordon Melton, its first secretary, to operate in those areas where parapsychology and religion intersect. It has served as an academic affiliate of Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship (SFF). The academy encourages dialogue, idea exchange, and cooperation between clergy, academics in philosophy and religion, and the researchers and scientists in parapsychology and related fields. It conducts educational programs for scholars, Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship members, and the general public and works closely with related organizations. The academy organized several large conferences soon after its founding beginning with one at Garrett Theological Seminary in 1972, but its activity slowed in the mid-1970s when SFF went through a period of organizational disruption.

Reorganized by the end of the 1970s, the academy now conducts an annual conference, usually in conjunction with the annual meeting of SFF, and occasional seminars. It sponsors an annual competition for the Robert H. Ashby Memorial Award for the best paper on an announced subject. It publishes the Journal of Religion and Psychical Research quarterly and Proceedings (issued from time to time). The academy may be reached at P.O. Box 614, Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002-0614. Website: http://www.lightlink.com/arpr/.