Parapsychology Australia Mini - Conference

Chaired by Dr Lance Storm (Research Psychologist, University of Adelaide, South Australia.)

$35.00 (Earlybird price; book before October 29th) to $40.00 per person*

* AIPR Members & Supporters get another $5 discount off those prices — click here to join

“Haunting Aradale: Pop Culture, Folklore, and Dark Tourism”

Dr. David Waldron (Associate Professor, Federation University, Melbourne, VIC).

First opened in 1867, the imposing Gothic structure of the former Ararat Lunatic Asylum, known as Aradale since the reforms of 1955, has loomed over the Victorian town of Ararat for more than 150 years. Over that time, it has borne witness to major shifts in psychiatric practice and broader societal attitudes toward mental illness, while also being the site of harrowing abuses and institutional scandals. Today, Aradale is popularly hailed as ‘Australia’s most haunted building,’ drawing thousands of visitors each year through a booming dark tourism trade. But beyond the ghost tours lies a contested heritage landscape, where folklore, pop culture, trauma, and memory intersect. In this talk, David Waldron draws on his book Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum to explore how this iconic institution became a site where history, folklore, and Popular culture entwine with Dark Tourism. Please note: This presentation discusses topics related to mental illness, psychiatric institutions, historical abuse, trauma, and death. It also includes references to suicide, involuntary confinement, and the exploitation of suffering through dark tourism and popular media. Audience discretion is advised.

Two Short Lectures:

Dr. Tony Jinks (Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Psychological Science, ACAP University College, Sydney, NSW).

1. “Finding Meaning in the Strange: What Moderates the Relationship between Déjà Vu and Psychological Wellbeing?”

Déjà vu (feeling that a new situation is a familiar past experience) is a common yet mysterious experience, widely studied for its causes but less understood in terms of its psychological impact—especially when negative. Tony explores how personality traits and spiritual beliefs might moderate the link between negative déjà vu and psychological wellbeing (PWB). A sample of Australian adults completed an online survey measuring déjà vu, PWB, openness to experience, and spirituality. Analysis showed that negative déjà vu was linked to poorer PWB. Openness had no moderating effect, but high theistic spirituality unexpectedly worsened outcomes. These results suggest that individuals with strong spiritual beliefs may experience existential conflict and cognitive dissonance following negative déjà vu, reducing wellbeing. Findings highlight the need for therapeutic approaches that integrate diverse spiritual frameworks to support those with non-ordinary experiences.

2. “Ghost Sightings: A Comparison of Real and Imagined Reports of Apparitions”

Apparition experiences are common, yet mainstream psychology rarely explores them beyond linking sightings to hallucinations. This study examines the psychosocial hypothesis—the idea that anomalous experiences are shaped by socio-cultural influences—by comparing characteristics of ‘authentic’ apparition witnesses with those imagined by non-witnesses. Most responses showed no significant differences between groups, supporting the psychosocial model. Apparitions were typically seen mid-week in winter, appeared human-like, partly transparent, dressed in white, and vanished quickly in a bedroom setting. Witnesses reported older events, greater emotional impact, and more uncertainty about the apparition’s purpose. Findings suggest that cultural frameworks may shape both real and imagined ghost encounters.

“Exploring the Many Faces of Coincidence”

Dr. Laurence Browne (Historian, Philosopher, and author; University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD).

Just as planets and stars appear as points of light in the night sky and are indistinguishable to the untrained eye, so coincidences may seem on the surface to be all of one kind. This, unfortunately, has led to a tendency towards either/or explanations to account for them. For example, there are some who favour a statistical approach to coincidences and tend to analyse them using probability theory. In contrast, there are others who are particularly interested in the potential meaning to be found in coincidences and what this might imply for the nature of existence. The aim of this talk is to present a comprehensive and inclusive approach to coincidences that explores the different ways they can be understood.

“Psychic Circuit: Next Generation Zener Cards”

Peter Kanellopoulos (Funding Manager Cerebral Palsy Alliance, UFO, Crop Circle, Psychic Phenomena Enthusiast, Sydney, NSW).

Peter is the creator of Psychic Circuit, a pioneering and highly innovative app designed to awaken intuitive abilities. The project was born from his lifelong fascination with the paranormal—from UFOs and crop circles to psychic phenomena and metaphysical symbolism. Drawing on this rich tapestry of curiosity, Peter built Psychic Circuit as both a training ground and a global portal for intuitive development. In this presentation, Peter will trace the evolution of the Psychic Challengeboard game from its inception in the early 2000s to its digital rebirth as the Psychic Circuit app in 2019. Peter will also describe his creative journey marked by synchronicities and a crop-circle experience in England. The session culminates in a live demonstration of the app’s full circuit, inviting audience participation to select targets and engage with the psychic process firsthand.

More Information:

Program

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