Building a Career in Psi Research with Mentors and Colleagues

From early fascination with psychic phenomena to formal training and mentorship, the journey into parapsychology is often shaped by those who came before us. In this engaging talk, Dr Nancy L Zingrone, explores the rich history of mentorship, education, and institutional support that has helped define and sustain the field for over a century.

Drawing on stories from figures like Frederic Myers, Eleanor Sidgwick, and the Rhines, Dr Zingrone will trace how informal curiosity evolved into structured academic inquiry. The talk highlights the legacy of key institutions, including the Parapsychology Laboratory at Duke University (1930–1965), the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man (1965–2000), and today’s Rhine Research Center.

Dr Zingrone will also spotlight the educational efforts such as the Duke summer workshops, the Summer Study Programs at FRNM and the Rhine (1974–2005), and international programs that continue to expand access to education in parapsychology research. These include the ParaMOOC initiative, founded by Carlos Alvarado and Nancy Zingrone (2015-2020) and continued with Bryan Williams of the Psychical Research Foundation since 2023; universities in England, Scotland, and Brazil that support master's and doctorates (and some of their professors who attended the Summer Study Program); the new master's and doctoral accredited programs at California Institute of Human Science; and public resources like YouTube lectures and interviews.