BUFORA is a non-cultist, scientifically-oriented organisation dedicated to the investigation and research of the UFO enigma and related anomalies. The UFO phenomenon is wide-ranging and diverse in its characteristics and manifestations and can no longer be approached as a single phenomenon with a possible single solution.
In an effort to gain greater understanding of the complexities of the UFO question, BUFORA employs the skills and services of field investigators, researchers and consultants, many of whom work directly with witnesses to collate the necessary data.
Aims and Objectives
1. To encourage, promote and conduct unbiased, scientific research and investigation of unidentified flying objects (UFO) and related paranormal/parapsychological phenomena throughout the UK.
2. To collect and disseminate evidence and data relating to the aforesaid
3. To co-ordinate UFO and related investigation/research throughout the UK and to co-operate with others engaged in such activities world-wide.
A Brief History
The modern era of the “flying saucer” kicked off in 1947 with businessman Kenneth Arnold’s famous sighting of nine flying discs over the Cascade Mountains of Washington state, USA. Up until this time, relatively few people had taken an interest in unknown aerial phenomena, but as public interest was piqued and the press capitalised on the new phenomenon which seemed to coincide with the advent of the atomic/space age, researchers started to find many historical similarities which suggested that the UFO was indeed a very old enigma which had either been overlooked or explained away as divine portents and interventions.
BUFORA traces its origins back to the London UFO Research Association, founded in 1959, one of eight British UFO societies that amalgamated in 1962 as BUFOA (British UFO Association). A key function of BUFOA was to provide a national network of UFO investigators linked by latterly eleven regional groups, and the first BUFOA Journal was produced in 1963. LUFORO and BUFOA merged in January 1964 to form BUFORA, now one of the oldest, continually active UFO research groups in the world.
Publications
Throughout its long history, BUFORA has continued to publish its research and investigations in its magazines, although the names and formats of these magazines have changed several times over the years.
· 1965-1982 BUFORA Journal
· 1979-1989 Journal of Transient Aerial Phenomena (JTAP), a referred research journal
· 1982-1989 BUFORA Bulletin
· 1989-1998 Bulletin and JTAP combined and relaunched as UFO Times
· 1998- 2002 BUFORA Bulletin
· 2002-2005 New BUFORA Journal
In addition to its magazines, BUFORA has published a number of booklets and papers on specific aspects of research and investigation, e.g. the Vehicle Interference Report (first draft published 1979, currently being updated for second print), the Investigators’ Handbook, the NIC (National Investigations Committee) Guide, the Investigators’ Code of Practice, Men in Black, UFOs and the Psi Interface and the Guide to UFOs (the latter can be downloaded from this site). Other BUFORA publications include:
· UFOs 1947-1987 (Fortean Times, 1987)
· Phenomenon, John Spencer, (Macdonald Futura, 1988 – Avon, USA)
· Fire in the Sky (BUFORA, 1989)
· Controversy of the Circles (BUFORA, 1989)
· The UFO Encyclopaedia, John Spencer (Headline, 1991)
· The Proceedings of the 8th BUFORA International UFO Congress (BUFORA, 1995)
· The UFO Lexicon (an international glossary of UFO-related terms in ten languages)
· BUFORA also contributed to the making of the video, UFO Review – The Researchers, produced by D.M.P. (1992)
Unfortunately, some of the above titles, including the magazines, are now out of print but may be found through specialist, second-hand booksellers.
Research and Investigation
In pursuit of its aims, BUFORA supports active field investigation via a network of trained investigators throughout the country. Completed investigation reports are sent to the Investigations Department where they are logged and then archived. BUFORA is currently engaged in the mammoth task of committing over forty years worth of paper reports to an electronic format, which will eventually be made available to bona fide researchers.
The Investigations Department also administers the Postal Training Course for field investigators. All investigators must successfully complete this course before conducting any investigation on BUFORA’s behalf. Please see the Investigations page for contact details. This programme is not a course on ufology per se, but on investigation technique. Candidates are expected to have a good grounding in ufology and to have done some reading on the subject.
BUFORA has conducted many research projects over the years, some of which have been published in booklets and papers. Currently, BUFORA is running a small number of “rolling projects” which can be viewed on the Research page. Please contact a member of the research team if you are willing to help with any of these projects, or have relevant information or expertise to offer. Much of BUFORA’s research is now focused on specific cases.
The Changing Face of Ufology
Sightings, reports, public interest, lecture and conference audiences and enthusiasm amongst ufologists themselves have all been in steady decline since the late ‘90s. The growth of internet sites and forums has dealt a heavy blow to the hands-on, social exchange of information and research. Ufology has ebbed and flowed in this way many times since its inception in the late ‘40s, and no doubt will be reborn anew when the next big public case hits the tabloids. Ufology has always had a decidedly sociological element, and this fact is one of the many psychosocial aspects that BUFORA has always conceded. The days of “flying saucer enthusiasts” and skywatches on windy hilltops have long gone. The subject has evolved in both content and sophistication, and so has BUFORA.
In November of 2005, the membership voted to restructure the Association in a way that would reflect the changing attitudes and habits of those interested. Paid membership has been discarded, the printed Journal has ceased and the regular lecture programme has been suspended. BUFORA is now concentrating its efforts and resources on this website, which will be the sole vehicle for disseminating research, investigation reports, news and articles. At the moment, all areas are free to access, but a subscriber-only area may be created in the future, to replace the magazine and to facilitate an interactive forum for “members”. Please look out for future announcements on this issue.
E mail enquiries - enquiries@bufora.org.uk