SSE’s July Babies are in Good Company

Questions about the origin and evolution of the universe continue to inspire spirited scientific debate. Alan Batten reviews Hilton Ratcliffe's The Virtue of Heresy: Confessions of a Dissident Astronomer, reflecting on the history of cosmology, the dominance of the Big Bang model, and the role of dissent in advancing scientific inquiry. Read the review: The Virtue of Heresy: Confessions of a Dissident Astronomer (JSE, Vol. 28, No. 2, 2014).

On behalf of the Society for Scientific Exploration, I want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone whose effort and dedication made this year's conference such a success. Scientific societies run on volunteer labor, and this meeting was no exception — every session that ran on time, every technical hiccup that went unnoticed by attendees, and every warm welcome at the registration table was the product of someone's unpaid, often invisible work.

I want to first recognize Daching Piao, our Program Chair, whose vision and persistence shaped this year's program from the earliest call for papers through the final session. Building a scientifically rigorous and intellectually diverse program is demanding work under the best of circumstances, and Daching brought both care and rigor to every stage of the process. The Society is fortunate to have benefited from that leadership.

I also must thank the SSE Program Committee, whose members (Garret Moddel, Mark Rodeghier, Paul Sperry, and Mark Urban-Lurain) tirelessly reviewed submissions, shaped the session structure, and made the countless judgment calls that determine whether a meeting merely happens or actually succeeds. Their collective expertise — spanning our full range of disciplines — is what gives our program its scientific credibility, and their willingness to do this largely unrecognized work deserves real recognition.

Next, my sincere thanks to the amazing team of Boulder-based local volunteers (coordinated by Regina Thompson), who handled the unglamorous, ground-level work that most attendees never see and rarely think about: logistics, room setups, technical troubleshooting, signage, and the hundred small fires that get put out before anyone notices they were burning. Meetings succeed or fail on this kind of execution, and this team executed superbly.

Finally, this message would not be complete without acknowledging our two powerful keynote presentations—one anchoring the “evidence” track and the other the “encounters” track. Robin Carhart‑Harris, Ph.D., delivered a deeply engaging exploration of the psychology of psychedelic experience, offering a rigorous yet accessible synthesis of contemporary neuroscience, therapeutic models, and the broader implications for consciousness studies. His keynote set an intellectual tone that resonated throughout the scientific sessions. On the “encounters” side, Mark Anthony, JD—"The Psychic Explorer"—offered a dynamic and thought‑provoking history lesson on the presence and influence of sensitives in political power structures. His presentation energized the experiential track and sparked lively discussion among attendees. Both keynotes exemplified the breadth and depth of inquiry that define the SSE, and we are grateful for the insight, generosity, and inspiration they brought to this year’s meeting.

To everyone who gave their time, expertise, and energy to this year's meeting — thank you. The Society's ability to convene serious scholarly exchange depends entirely on people willing to do this work, and this year we were served exceptionally well.

 With deepest appreciation,

Warmly,

James Houran, Ph.D.

Interim-President, SSE
Editor-in-Chief, JSE

Back to Top

Journal of Scientific Exploration—Summer Issue Now Available

Now Available: JSE Summer 2026

The newest issue of the Journal of Scientific Exploration is now available, featuring research and commentary spanning consciousness, AI, remote viewing, ET communication, publication bias in psi research, conspiracy beliefs, Eastern philosophy, and more.

This issue reflects the Journal's ongoing commitment to rigorous scholarship at the frontiers of science and human experience.

Explore the complete issue on the Journal website.

Highlights from SSE 44th Conference

Photo 1: Left to right: Mark Urban-Lurain, Robin Carhart-Harris, James Houran, and Daching Pao

The 44th Annual SSE Conference brought together leading voices from across frontier science. Pictured here are Mark Urban-Lurain, Ph.D., Secretary of the Society for Scientific Exploration, joining keynote speaker Robin Carhart-Harris, PhD (renowned neuroscientist and keynote speaker whose work has transformed psychedelic research), James Houran, PhD (SSE President), and Conference Chair Daching Pao, PhD.

Photo 2: Helané Wahbeh and colleagues from the Institute of Noetic Sciences

Researchers from the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) were well represented at this year's conference. Helané Wahbeh, ND, MCR, President and Director of Research at IONS, shared her expertise on consciousness, meditation, and exceptional human experiences, contributing to lively discussions on the future of frontier science.

Photo 3: Mark Anthony

Attorney, author, and internationally recognized psychic medium Mark Anthony, JD captivated attendees during his Saturday talk and Sunday workshop, exploring the intersection of law, science, and evidential mediumship. His engaging presentation challenged participants to consider how extraordinary experiences can be examined with both curiosity and critical thinking.

We Want to See Your Photos!

Did you snap some great moments during the conference? We'd love to feature them! Share your favorite photos from the 2026 SSE Conference on our Facebook page or tag us in your posts. Your photos may appear in a future issue of Explorer or on our social media channels as we continue celebrating this year's memorable event.

Upcoming MAVERICK Talks: Interactive Virtual Chats about Bold Ideas

MAVERICK = Monthly Adventures Via Exploration, Revealing Inquiry, Curiosity, and Knowledge. Help us shape the future of scientific exploration - one bold idea at a time!

SSE's monthly virtual forum, where members can share works-in-progress, spark fresh inquiry, and receive thoughtful feedback from fellow explorers. Whether you're refining a method, testing a hypothesis, or navigating a controversial topic, this is your space to engage, reflect, and grow. 

When & Where: Second Sunday of each month (unless a quarterly webinar is scheduled) 1-hour Zoom sessions at 5 PM ET | 4 PM CT | 3 PM MT| 2 PM PT

Stay Connected

The conversation doesn't end here.

If this month's Explorer sparked your curiosity, join us on Substack and YouTube, where frontier science comes to life through stories, discussions, and multi-media content. 

On Substack, you'll find:

And on YouTube, you can watch talks, presentations, and discussions that bring these ideas to life.

Back to Top

White House Appoints Avi Loeb to Lead UAP Scientific Advisory Council

The White House has appointed Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb to chair a new scientific advisory council studying unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs). Reporting to a newly established White House UAP Governance Board, the council will advise on the scientific and national security implications of unexplained aerial observations while seeking greater transparency through improved data collection and public reporting.

Loeb's appointment has generated both enthusiasm and criticism. Supporters applaud his willingness to investigate unconventional hypotheses, while critics question whether his public advocacy of extraterrestrial possibilities could influence the council's work. Regardless of perspective, the appointment represents a notable shift toward involving the broader scientific community in the study of UAPs. Read the full story on CBS News. 

Motorist Reports Bigfoot Encounter in Connecticut

A Connecticut driver has reported a close-range encounter with a large, upright, hair-covered creature while traveling near Pachaug State Forest in the early morning hours of July 5. The eyewitness submitted the report to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), describing the figure crossing the road just yards ahead of the vehicle. While such reports remain anecdotal, sightings continue to fuel interest in one of cryptozoology's most enduring mysteries. Read the witness account here. 

Ancient Copy of Homer's Iliad Found Inside Egyptian Mummy

Archaeologists have identified a fragment of Homer's Iliad embedded within the cartonnage of a 1600-year-old Egyptian mummy. The remarkable discovery offers a rare glimpse into how classical Greek literature circulated in late antiquity and how everyday written materials were sometimes repurposed in ancient burial practices. Finds like this remind us that history still holds surprising discoveries waiting to be uncovered. 

Congress Revisits the CIA's MKULTRA Program

The House Oversight Committee's Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets recently held a hearing titled "Mind Control and Accountability: Uncovering the Truth of the CIA's MKULTRA Experiments." Led by Chairwoman Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, the hearing examined the history of the CIA's controversial Cold War-era behavioral research program, the destruction of many MKULTRA records, and ongoing questions surrounding government transparency and public accountability. Witnesses discussed what is known about the program, what records remain unavailable, and why understanding this history continues to matter today. Read more here.

Back to Top

A Farewell Funny

Why did the alien go to Saturn? To go ring shopping!