Join ASSAP Here
ASSAP is a registered charity and learned society, founded in 1981 to investigate, research and educate about a wide range of anomalous phenomena – from hauntings to UAP, psi to cryptids. The Members’ Area is your gateway to everything we do.
Importance Notice:
We're temporarily pausing new ASSAP memberships via Direct Debit until May 1st 2026. Due to a quirk in Access Paysuite (our direct debit processor), new sign-ups can't currently select April 15th as their first payment date—the earliest available is now May 1st. That means anyone joining today would unknowingly lock in the grandfather rate, only for the first debit to be after our first price rise in twenty-one years. To avoid confusion or unfair surprises, we've disabled sign-ups for now. We'll reopen on May 1st so everyone starts fresh at the updated rate. Questions? Drop us a line at membership@asap.ac.uk—we're happy to explain. Thanks for bearing with us.
Why JOIN ASSAP?
1. Membership of a respected association with a 45-year history of taking the strange seriously.
Founded on 10 June 1981 by Hugh Pincott, Dr Vernon Harrison, Bob Rickard (editor of Fortean Times), Jenny Randles, Hilary Evans, and Maurice Townsend, ASSAP was created out of a desire to examine a wider range of anomalous phenomena with the same rigour and reverence traditionally applied to psi research by the Society for Psychical Research.
The founders believed it was time to bring serious, evidence-based investigation to topics such as earth mysteries, cryptids, UFO/UAP phenomena, and consciousness — alongside more established areas of study. For over four decades, ASSAP has remained one of the UK’s leading scientifically oriented charities dedicated to researching and understanding the weird and the seriously weird in ASSAP?
We're also only as strong as the commitment our members bring; our volunteer committee is made up of members. Bring your talents! Tune your skills and get involved.
ASSAP prides itself on being accessible and approachable; an association of people made up of enthusiasts, researchers and academics who wish to explore the extra-ordinary and see what the data takes us.
2. Extraordinary Value
ASSAP has always endeavoured to ensure accessible value for all. People with an interest in the curious topics should not be excluded because of the price. Our Conferences, Events, Courses, and Membership are always considered with Value at the heart. For example, our two-day 2026 conference is an accessible £35 for ASSAP Members and Early booking. £20 for our annual digital e-membership with complete acccess to our catalogue of publications, access to 260+ presentations/live talks and special panels, e-newsletters and ASSAP Paranormal Webinars LIVE.
For the first time in 21 years, (July 2005) we are raising the Membership price from 1st May 2026. For the longest time, we have been absorbing the operating costs, continuing on the generosity of our volunteers' time and goodwill, after twenty years, that has caught up with us.
https://www.assap.ac.uk/articles/detail/assap-new-membership-rates
3. ASSAP Paranormal Webinars LIVE
Every Thursday, 7 pm UK time – exclusive to members. Delivered by Zoom.
- A unique programme of live presentations, talks, panels and discussions. - Approx 1.5 to 2hrs.
- Guests range from leading academics and seasoned researchers to passionate enthusiasts.
- Q&A, discussion and conversation. Explore the unknown.
- Over 260 catalogued sessions
- Around 50 live events per year!
- More than 5 years of content!
ASSAP Paranormal Webinars double as a practical platform: for speakers to test new ideas, refine presentations and receive feedback from an engaged audience.
4. Publications delivered to your door! (or Inbox/Members Area)
| Publication | Format | Frequency | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seriously Strange Magazine | Print + digital PDF | Endevouring for multiple issues per year | Exclusive features, creative pieces, research articles; member submissions welcome. |
| Anomaly Journal | Print + digital PDF | Annual (under review) | Peer-level research papers and in-depth studies. Longer form content. |
Future plans: We are exploring a single, expanded Seriously Strange title with higher frequency, longer articles and continuing our higher quality science-magazine aesthetic (think BBC Science Focus meets National Geographic) and incorporating Anomaly pieces into the format of Seriously Strange.
5. Resources & Archives
- Online Article Library – classic cases, scientific methods, equipment guides, ghost research, FAQs (“Am I psychic?”, “Is my house haunted?”) and an active research blog.
- Physical Lending Library – information books, rare books, journals and ephemera curated by our Archivist and Librarian. Currently on pause during relocation and a sell-off of several materials.
6. Events & Conferences
- Annual conferences and regional events – always affordable with accessible pricing.
- Members receive Early-Bird pricing, making great value even better!
7. Training - what sets ASSAP apart
What sets ASSAP apart is our Education and training. Our training curriculum is based upon the most up to date information and methods and the course notes are endorsed by the SPR (Society for Psychical Research) and are required reading by students of the Rhine Education Centre.
ASSAP Accredited Investigator AAI
This is the basic level of training, and upon completion, you will be eligible to become part of an ASSAP investigation team working on cases that ASSAP have been asked to examine.
ASSAP Registered Investigator ARI
This is a more involved level of training, and participants must have previously undertaken the AAI training course as a prerequisite. Upon completion of the ARI training course, you will be eligible to take charge of and lead an ASSAP investigation team on cases that ASSAP have been asked to examine. This course will be available in the next few months.
8. Governance
We have an ASSAP Code of Conduct and Articles of Association for how we operate. We ask that members familiarise themselves; nothing exhausting - we wish to function in a way that benefits our membership and pushes the discussion of anomalous phenomena further forward.
We're all volunteers, humans with full-time lives and ASSAP is our passion and our community. We're no longer afraid to say we don't always get everything right; we strive to act with integrity, always aiming to become better.
Our committee and support are made up of people just like you, and we would like your assistance in continuing to be an open association on this journey into the anomalous.
As a member, you can have your say and potentially become a committee member or a supporting representative. We all have skills and knowledge that can be advantageous to the continued success of this volunteer-led association.
9. Awards and Research Grants
ASSAP actively funds member-led investigations. Grants are available to cover the costs of research projects – whether you’re an academic, independent investigator or dedicated enthusiast. We welcome proposals from all backgrounds and experience levels.
10. Recognition
Additionally, Annual Awards – we proudly present two honours each year:
- Michael Bentine Award
- Robert Moore Award
Nominations are open to current members. You can put forward suggestions and a citation for the recipient of each of these prestigious awards. The characters whose name is held in high regard in the history of anomaly research. Each of the awards has different criteria, and we look forward to your nominations.
Ready to join or renew? Head to the membership portal – just £20 secures a full year of exclusive access, live events, publications, research funding, and community.
Welcome to the heart of serious paranormal research.
Join ASSAP – Choose Your Membership
We’ve made joining simple, flexible and great value. Whether you’re in the UK or anywhere in the world, there’s a membership level for you.
UK Postal Membership ('Standard' Membership)
Receive printed magazines & journals delivered to your door
| Type | Price | Who It’s For | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASSAP Membership (Post May 1st) | £40 / year | Anyone in the UK | Postal & Digital publications, access to Members Area and catalogues |
| Concession Membership (Post May 1st) | £30 / year | Under 21, over 60, or unwaged (Must be 16+ to join) | Same full benefits at a reduced rate |
TEMPORARILY DISABLED - Join via Direct Debit (UK) → Secure, recurring payment via Access Paysuite
Electronic “e-Membership”
Digital access – perfect for those who love e-magazines on the go! Available as PDF from our Members Area.
| Type | Price | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| e-Membership (Post May 1st) | £20 / year | Download Seriously Strange magazine & Anomaly journal as PDFs from our Members Area. |
Please click here then make your selection from the presented choices, and complete the Annual direct debit form. This will be completed via Access Paysuite, who have a variety of payment options
| Type | Price | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| International Membership (Post May 1st) | £20 / year | Download Seriously Strange magazine & Anomaly journal as PDFs mirrored as the e-membership |
International (mirrors the benefits of the e-Membership) Please click to sign up via PayPal. Click Here
What Happens Next?
- Complete payment (Direct Debit or PayPal)
- Receive confirmation email within a few days (we process memberships manually – thank you for your patience!)
- Get your login to the Members’ Area – instant access to digital content
- Start enjoying we will add you to our Mailing list for the invitation to our Paranormal Webinars LIVE, publications, grants and more
Questions?
We’re here to help. Contact Membership Team →
Ready to dive in? Join today for as little as £20 and become part of the UK’s leading education-based charity for serious, evidence-based exploration of the paranormal.
Join ASSAP Now →
Latest ASSAP Articles
Important Membership Update for 2026: Aligning Our Records and Securing Your Grandfathered Rate
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ASSAP Library Book Sale
21/02/2026
ASSAP New Membership rates
04/02/2026
Unmatched Value, Unfinished Evolution: Why ASSAP Is Reviewing Membership for 2026
02/12/2025
REVIEW: Even More…Ghost Stories by Candlelight at Shakespeare North Playhouse by Rob Gandy
18/11/2025