Society for UAP Studies Launches Year-Long Academic Educational Initiative

On February 17, 2026, the Society for UAP Studies (SUAPS), a non-profit organization operating as a scholarly and professional society, officially inaugurated its latest public educational initiative. Titled "UAP Research Seminar Series: Foundations of a New Field," this program represents a pioneering effort to provide the general public with an academically rigorous, year-long curriculum focused on Unidentified Aerospace (or Anomalous) Phenomena (UAP). By broadcasting these sessions live, the society aims to establish a robust intellectual framework for UAP Studies, positioning it as a legitimate academic discipline that navigates the middle ground between blind belief and rigid skepticism.

The initiative is spearheaded by Dr. Douglas Giles, the Director of Education for SUAPS. Dr. Giles, a philosopher by training who advocates for the application of philosophical inquiry to contemporary issues, transitioned to this role after resigning from his position as a university professor in late 2025, citing concerns regarding academic censorship. The seminar series is scheduled to begin on February 19, 2026. To encourage broad participation, the program will be accessible to the public free of charge throughout February and March. Starting April 1, however, access will become an exclusive benefit for SUAPS members, with membership fees beginning at a modest rate of $6 per month.

The curriculum features a diverse roster of prominent experts from various academic and research backgrounds. Among the confirmed speakers is Steve Fuller, a professor of social epistemology at the University of Warwick. Fuller intends to explore UAP as productive subjects for both scientific and philosophical inquiry, regardless of their ultimate ontological nature. Joining him is Rich Hoffman from the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU). Hoffman will outline a practical framework for establishing a coordinated, global instrumental investigation into these phenomena. His contribution is backed by over 25 years of experience as an IT defense contractor, including significant tenure with the United States Army Materiel Command.

Further technical and ethical depth will be provided by astrophysicist Massimo Teodorani and philosopher Kimberly C. Engels. Teodorani, who is affiliated with both SUAPS and the SCU, will concentrate on the methodologies of physical investigation, specifically the technical challenges of distinguishing between human-engineered craft and natural plasma phenomena. Meanwhile, Kimberly C. Engels, an associate professor of philosophy at Molloy University and Director of Research at the John Mack Institute, will address the concept of epistemic justice as it relates to the validity of eyewitness accounts. The involvement of such diverse scholars highlights the commitment of SUAPS to integrating UAP research into a broader interdisciplinary scientific conversation.

This educational endeavor marks a pivotal step in the formalization and professionalization of UAP research, responding to a growing public demand for serious, evidence-based analysis. The ultimate objective of SUAPS is to expand these offerings into a curriculum that meets the standards for university-level accreditation, reflecting a strategic vision for the long-term development of the field's intellectual infrastructure. By transitioning to a membership-supported model in April, the organization ensures a sustainable funding mechanism to maintain this comprehensive annual program and support its future growth.