AA Research Conference 2002
By Alice Ekrek
The
AA Research Conference took place on Saturday 23 November 2002 at the
Theosophical Society in London. The conference was chaired by Nicholas
Campion, currently Senior Lecturer for the MA in Cultural Astronomy and
Astrology at Bath Spa University College and Vice Chair of the AA.
The conference had a packed program, with eight speakers and 35 delegates from numerous countries including the UK, France, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Canada and Australia, attending.
Nick Campion (left) and Didier Castille
The title of the conference, Systems, Models and Theories in Astrological Research: Philosophical Views and Practical Uses, reflected the diversity of subjects and approaches to astrological research represented by the speakers. The main speaker, Professor Suitbert Ertel, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Göttingen University, presented Hopeful findings, Unduly Neglected, on Stars and Human Affairs. He discussed various positive results that have arisen from research into astrology, and the possible involvement of psi-effects in astrological interpretation. He suggests that these positive findings for astrology need to be researched further.
Graham Douglas and Professor Suitbert Ertl (right)
Dr Sidha Sambadan, a Family Practitioner and Vedic Astrologer, gave a fascinating presentation on Nadi or Palm Leaf Astrology: Fact or Fiction. Mick O'Neill, a Computer Programmer now doing extensive research into astrology, presented his findings in the Libra Lottery Project - Description and Progress. He also performed a pre-conference timed group experiment in which speakers and delegates took part. Didier Castille, a professional statistician from France, presented his positive findings on New Research on Astrological Heredity. Padam Simkhada, a Research Student at the University of Southampton and recently a Research Fellow in the Public Health Department at the University of Aberdeen, presented An Astrological Perspective on the Problems of Sex Trafficking of Girls in Nepal. Professor Peter Roberts, a Cambridge Physicist and longstanding member of the astrological community, currently an adviser at the Citizens Advice Bureau, presented his thoughts on astrological research in The Message of Astrology Through the Principle of the Tao: Going with the Flow. Dr Michael Harding, an Existential Psychotherapist working at the School of Psychotherapy & Counselling at Regent's College, gave a philosophical perspective on Phenomenological Models of Thought in Astrological Research. Finally, Mike Wackford, a musician, ended the day with a technical presentation of The Polar Horoscope.
Each of the talks were followed by lively question and answer sessions. The talks were stimulating and thought provoking, and a lot of positive feedback was given during and after the conference. The event was rounded off with a meal at a local Italian restaurant, which was attended by many of the speakers and delegates, and turned out to be an enjoyable social occasion.
Research Groups, Centres, etc. in the UK
RGCSA-UK (The Research Group for the Critical Study of Astrology, Southampton University)
An inter-university research colloquium of scholars at universities in Britain and continental Europe, exchanging theories, opinions and research papers. It is funded by the Sophia Trust. The Group may be able to assist with funding for research proposals in astrology. For further details contact the Convenor: Professor Christopher Bagley, RGCSA, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK Email Professor Christopher Bagley for website click here
Sophia Fellowship (The Sophia Project)
This fellowship will fund scholars for up to three months to pursue research at the Warburg Institute into any aspect of the history of astrology or cultural astronomy anywhere in the world in any period up till 1700. Applicants must be 29 years of age or over. Apply between October 11 and December 1. Forms available from the Warburg Institute, Woburn Square, London WC1H OAB, UK. Tel. 020 7862 8949. Details also here on the Warburg Institute website .
Centre for the Study of Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (Bath Spa University College)
The Centre
has launched an MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology taught by Dr. Michael
York, Nicholas Campion MA, and Dr. Patrick Curry. The Centre is also able
to accept research students and is planning to hold a conference over
the weekend of June 13th-15th 2002. For further details contact the Administrator,
Alice Ekrek, at The Sophia Centre, Bath Spa University College, Newton
Park, Newton St. Loe, Bath BA2 9BN, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1225 876147
Email
The University of Kent at Canterbury
An undergraduate course - study of Mysticism and Religious Experience - began in September, 2001. The second module in the MA started in January, 2002. Both are entitled Cosmology & Divination and take as their starting point astrology as divination in the ancient, classical, renaissance and modern worlds. Course details from Dr. Peter Moore Email: or at the wenbsite click here
Research Journals in Astrology
Correlation
~ Editor: Pat HarrisPublished bi-annually, the only peer reviewed
journal of research into astrology, contains articles on controlled empirical
research and broader methodological, conceptual and philosophical issues.
Abstracts of many of the papers published in this journal can be found
at the RGCSA website click
here
Culture and Cosmos ~ Editor: Nick Campion The bi-annual peer reviewed journal on the history of astrology and cultural astronomy which features articles on astrology's development and use from earliest times to present day. The magazine includes articles by some of the top scholars in the field. Visit the website for more details here
For details on how to subscribe to these periodicals and for general enquiries please contact The Astrological Association Email
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