advancing the study of unidentified anomalous phenomena through interdisciplinary dialogue
Research
Strategic Research Initiatives
Under its Department of Research, the Society for UAP Studies organizes its foundational research through Strategic Research Initiatives: concentrated, multi-phase programs that bring together international scholars across disciplines to develop the methodological, evidential and conceptual infrastructure that a science of UAP requires. Each initiative has a named research leadership team and phased deliverables.
01
UAP Standards of Evidence
The initiative is working toward a cross-disciplinary standard of evidence for the scientific study of unidentified anomalous phenomena, modeled on the biosignature standards of evidence that the astrobiology community developed for NASA. Its primary output is a community white paper the field can examine and build on.
Lead coordinators: Dr. Gretchen Stahlman and Dr. Michael C. Cifone.
Coming soon
02
Forensic Methodologies
The initiative builds a professional-grade framework for UAP case investigation, joining forensic and investigative best practice with the way civilian investigations are actually conducted. The work begins with a replicable regional pilot in Brazil.
Principal investigator: Dr. Joshua Pierson. Co-lead: Dr. Eric Halford. Regional coordination, Latin America: Esteban Corio.
Coming soon
03
Empirical Weird Initiative
The initiative treats phenomena that are robustly reported but not easily explained within the framework of scientific materialism as an empirical question, where popular discourse sensationalizes them and academic discourse brackets them away. Its first phase closed with an interdisciplinary retreat in Portugal in 2026.
Co-principal investigators: Dr. Michael C. Cifone and Dr. Michael Silberstein.
Coming soon
Partnership and funding
For partnership and funding inquiries, write to the Department of Research at