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Ken Drinkwater

Lecturer and Researcher in Cognitive and Parapsychology, Manchester Metropolitan University

I completed my undergraduate BSc (2001 - Main study: Memory and Part set cuing effects) and a postgraduate MSc (2007 - 2 Main studies: 1. I.Q. Assessment and the usefulness of the Ravens Progressive Matrices as a predictor of ability and 2. Focus groups with Adults who have Learning Disabilities) at Manchester Metropolitan University. My PhD (Paranormal Belief) is due for completion in October/November 2013.

I have been research active for several years and have contributed to many published works. I am the founder of the film club at MMU and have recently set up a paranormal group that holds regular weekly meetings to discuss all things paranormal, which promotes student engagement and interest in this interesting area of research.

My research interests are in Parapsychology, (Paranormal Belief, Urban legends and Conspiracy Theories), Memory and part set cuing effects, neuropsychology and deficits caused by TBI.

My key areas of interest are:

Parapsychology (Anomalous experiences, Belief in paranormal events, Conspiracy theories) and paranormal research
Neuropsychology (Head injuries/Parkinson's/Epilepsy)
Psychological/ IQ/Intelligence and Ability measurement/Testing
Cognition: Perception, Attention and Memory
Projective methods - Rorschach and Thematic apperception tests
Learning Disabilities (Autism/Asperger's)
Older Adults

I recently presented at the recent (July, 2012) RIHSC conference; a presentation and poster entitled: "Reality testing, conspiracy theories, and paranormal beliefs". He also attended the BIAL Foundation conference in Portugal (April 2012) delivering a presentation and poster regarding Paranormal Belief and Well Being.

The 'Mandela effect' and the science of false memories

Jul 22, 2019 13:28 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life

Theres a theory doing the rounds online that nuclear research experiments caused the world to shift into an alternate reality where Donald Trump became president. This might sound stupid, but some people genuinely believe...

Space Science Series

Some scientific explanations for alien abduction that aren't so out of this world

Jan 28, 2017 06:37 am UTC| Science

Accounts of mysterious flashing lights in the sky, spacecrafts and encounters with real aliens reflect high levels of public interest in UFOs and the belief that there is something out there. However, many psychologists...

Economy

Saudi Aramco Q1 Profit Jumps 25% as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Reshapes Oil Exports

Saudi Aramco posted a strong 25% increase in first-quarter net profit for 2026, highlighting the companys resilience amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and major disruptions to global energy shipping routes. The Saudi...

Dollar Struggles to Rally Despite Strong US Data as Fed Hike Expectations Remain Limited

The U.S. dollar has continued to underperform even as economic data points to improving fundamentals, and BofA Securities believes the markets hesitation is tied to expectations surrounding future Federal Reserve rate...

Malaysia Unveils Energy Security Plan Amid Iran Conflict and Rising Oil Costs

Malaysia is preparing to introduce a comprehensive strategy to protect its oil supply as tensions surrounding the Iran conflict continue to disrupt global energy markets. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to...

Russian LNG Shadow Fleet Expands Amid Arctic LNG 2 Sanctions

Russia is intensifying efforts to bypass Western energy sanctions after a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker operating under a newly adopted Russian flag was spotted loading fuel linked to the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2...

S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as AI Stocks Rally and Strong Jobs Data Boost Confidence

The SP 500 and Nasdaq closed at fresh record highs on Friday as investors poured into AI-related stocks and welcomed stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data, reinforcing confidence in the resilience of the American economy....

Politics

Qatar Condemns Drone Strike as Iran Conflict Threatens Gulf Shipping and Global Markets

Qatar has strongly condemned a drone strike on a cargo vessel in its territorial waters, calling the incident a serious violation of international law and a dangerous escalation in the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. The...

Iran Military Readiness Intensifies After Meeting With Mojtaba Khamenei

Irans military leadership has reinforced its warning against the United States and Israel following a high-level meeting between senior armed forces officials and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, according to a report...

Qatar LNG Tanker Crosses Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran War Tensions

A QatarEnergy-operated liquefied natural gas tanker successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday for the first time since the Iran war began on February 28, signaling a possible easing of tensions in one of the...

Germany Rejects Putin’s Proposal for Schroeder to Mediate Ukraine Peace Talks

Germany has dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putins suggestion that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could act as a mediator between Russia and the European Union in possible Ukraine peace negotiations....

Russia Accuses Ukraine of Ceasefire Violations Amid Drone and Artillery Attacks

Russias Defence Ministry claimed on Sunday that Ukraine breached a temporary ceasefire by carrying out drone and artillery attacks against Russian forces, according to reports from Interfax news agency. Moscow stated that...

Science

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

NASA Artemis II: First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Takes Four Astronauts on 10-Day Lunar Journey

NASAs Artemis II mission launched Wednesday, marking humanitys return to crewed lunar exploration for the first time since the Apollo era. Carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, this historic 10-day mission...

NASA's Artemis II Mission: First Crewed Lunar Journey Since Apollo

NASA's Artemis II Crew Arrives in Florida for Historic Moon Mission

The four astronauts chosen for NASAs Artemis II mission have touched down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the beginning of final launch preparations for the first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years. NASA...

Technology

AI-Driven Inflation Raises U.S. Consumer Prices, Goldman Sachs Says

Artificial intelligence is starting to increase U.S. consumer prices through rising costs in electronics, software, and electricity, according to a new Goldman Sachs report. The investment bank said AI-related inflation...

Judge Delays SEC Settlement With Elon Musk Over Twitter Stock Disclosure Case

A federal judge has declined to immediately approve a proposed $1.5 million settlement between Elon Musk and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) tied to Musks 2022 Twitter stock purchase disclosures. The...

Broadcom Eyes $35 Billion AI Chip Financing Deal With Apollo and Blackstone

Broadcom Inc. is reportedly in discussions with Apollo Global Management and Blackstone Inc. to secure around $35 billion in financing for its expanding artificial intelligence chip business, according to a Bloomberg...

Dell Stock Hits Record High After Trump Endorsement, AI Server Demand Fuels Rally

Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE: DELL) surged to an all-time high on Friday after receiving a public endorsement from President Donald Trump during a White House event. The president encouraged Americans to go out and buy...

TikTok Nears $400 Million Settlement With Trump Administration Over Child Privacy Lawsuit

TikTok and the Trump administration are reportedly close to reaching a $400 million settlement tied to allegations that the popular video-sharing platform violated U.S. child privacy laws. According to ABC News, the...