Studying UFOs at college could become a possibility in the near future

A growing coalition of researchers argues that universities should formally investigate unidentified anomalous phenomena, commonly referred to as UAPs. The Society for UAP Studies has concluded its latest international gathering, where participants discussed establishing a new academic field devoted entirely to the scientific examination of these unexplained events.

Society co-founder and president Michael Cifone describes UAPs as part of a broader category of mysteries that challenge the conventional boundaries of reality and possibility. His interests span phenomena that resist straightforward scientific definitions, including the spiritual, the parapsychological and what many still call UFOs.

Cifone, who holds a doctorate in philosophy of science, hopes that UAP research will develop into a disciplined, objective academic pursuit. The organization recognizes the difficulty of studying occurrences that cannot be recreated in controlled laboratory conditions, requiring experts to combine physical evidence with theoretical analysis.

Rather than arguing for or against extraterrestrial origin, the society aims to provide a structured, credible framework for examining sightings and related claims. Its advisory members include scholars from multiple fields and nations, united by the effort to explore topics that fall outside traditional academic boundaries.

Cifones interest deepened during the pandemic, when he encountered work by physicist and former NASA researcher Kevin Knuth. After reviewing scientific publications and documented accounts, he concluded that although UAPs are often dismissed, some testimony and data cannot be easily explained through standard interpretations.

Public attention intensified after military reports in 2004 and subsequent congressional hearings in 2024 and 2025. Although the Pentagon stated it had no decisive proof of extraterrestrial presence, it acknowledged unexplained observations and patterns connected to military monitoring zones.

The societys recent conference included a keynote by Steve Fuller of the University of Warwick, who emphasized preparedness for the possibility of nonhuman intelligence. Fuller noted that humanity should consider how it would integrate into any broader interstellar context.

Cifone maintains that the societys mission is not to persuade skeptics, but to apply rigorous academic methods to an emerging area of study. The organization currently operates with private support and no government funding, while seeking long-term recognition and institutional backing.

Despite the obstacles, interest from scholars appears steady. Participants advocate for sustained, evidence-based inquiry to deepen global understanding of these anomalous phenomena and their potential meaning.

Author: Aiden Foster