Unmatched Value, Unfinished Evolution: Why ASSAP Is Reviewing Membership for 2026

As 2025 closes, and we step into 2026, we’re launching a full Membership Review – because staying at the forefront of paranormal research means constantly evolving how we connect, share knowledge, and support our members. 

The way people access information, learn, investigate and stay part of a community has changed dramatically in recent years. We want ASSAP to not just keep up, but continue to lead the way with clear and effective communication, training and membership benefits that actually work for you. We've gone to the drawing board, quite literally, to understand, what we do, how we do it, and why we do. With a lineage going back to 1981, and the inspiration to look beyond psi, to those other aspects of high strangeness.  We need to ensure we are robust, relevant, and ready for the next four decades ahead. 

There is fine-tuning and retooling to be done. For us as a committee are volunteers, and we are members like you. We have some directions in mind.  First is our Education, our training programmes are being overhauled as you may have seen, with events next in mind and a refreshed Seriously Strange Conference booked a year in advance. and content to follow. We have already begun with our Expert Panels. 

Let's deep into some comparative study information, on how ASSAP fares with similar associations in the same space, and then move to look at value,  

Looking at what ASSAP currently provides 

- Content Volume**: Approx 50 live webinars/year (1.5–2 hours each with Q&A, guests, and publicly available catalogue with advanced editing) evolved from weekly online meetings beginning in the COVID period.
- plus Seriously Strange issues (50+ pages of features and articles) 
- Anomaly journal** (under review to fold it into Seriously Strange) 
- Education & Practical Opportunities**: SPR-endorsed AAI/ARI training (eligibility for investigations/leading teams) sets ASSAP apart—no equivalent in SPR, Ghost Club, or BUFORA; Rhine charges extra for courses beyond basic membership.
- Member Empowerment**: Grants, awards, governance input, and submission opportunities foster community-driven research—rare in comparable groups.
- Accessibility**: annual £5 digital entry beats podcast Patreons (£60+/year equivalent for ad-free/bonus access) while delivering more live interaction and tangible outputs.
-  Inside ASSAP/ENews

**We have a Pricing Reality Check**

ASSAP's fees are covered by an immense volunteer effort. for membership, back of house technology services, training, events delivery, media production, art/graphics, 250+ archived sessions, that remain 4–20x lower than peers for superior perks. Podcasts charge monthly for 1–4 bonus episodes; ASSAP gives weekly live events + publications for less annually. 

**Comprehensive Value Analysis: ASSAP's Membership in Context (November 2025)**

The Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP), a UK-registered charity with 45 years of evidence-based research, offers a uniquely rich membership package emphasising education, live engagement, publications, and practical opportunities—all at £5 (digital/international) or £20 (UK postal physical, £15 concession). This includes access to approx 50 exclusive Thursday webinars (7 pm UK, Zoom, 1.5–2 hours with Q&A, academics/researchers/guests, 250+ catalogue), 50+ podcasts on multiple platforms, Seriously Strange magazine (multiple issues/year, 50+ pages, member submissions, print/digital), Anomaly journal (annual peer-reviewed, print/digital), digital back-issues (20+ years), training (AAI basic/ARI advanced, SPR-endorsed, Rhine-required), early-bird events/conferences, grants/awards, resources (article library, blog, lending library on pause), and governance input. 

Compared to established UK/international peers, ASSAP provides **excellent services, opportunities, and value**—delivering higher volume/frequency of live content, structured training, and member-funded research than older societies like SPR (more academic/archive-focused, waning events) or The Ghost Club (investigation-heavy but fewer publications). UFO-focused groups like BUFORA offer bulletins/investigations but limited details on 2025 fees (historically £20–30/year); BUFOG appears local/low-cost with fewer national resources. The Parapsychological Association (PA) and Rhine Research Center cater more to professionals/students with conventions/courses but at higher entry ($75–100+/year).

Online paranormal outlets (podcasts via Patreon/Supercast) charge monthly for ad-free/bonus episodes, Discord, or merch—often £4.50–£16/month (£54–£192/year)—yet deliver far less: typically 1–4 extras/month, no physical publications, no accredited training, no grants. ASSAP's £5/year digital equates to ~42p/month for weekly live lectures + magazines—**vastly undercharging** given the effort (volunteer-led, relocations, endorsements) and output (equivalent to £50–£200/year elsewhere for similar volume).

**Comparative Breakdown Table (2025 Fees & Key Benefits)**

**Volume, Effort, and Cost Considerations**

Delivering 50 webinars + publications + website + training + events requires massive coordination (volunteers, graphic design, Zoom, editing, printing/postage)—yet ASSAP sustains this affordably via low overheads and passion from volunteers. Peers charge more for less frequent/accessible output; podcasts monetise monthly despite simpler production. ASSAP provides "extraordinary value," remaining the UK's best deal in serious paranormal research/education that is both sensible and approachable. 

This positions ASSAP as a thriving, member-empowering leader—far from waning, with unmatched opportunities for contribution, learning, and discovery.

Increase 3–4 Issues of *Seriously Strange*

What the 2026-2027 schedule looks like, is one where we would like to increase "Seriously Strange* from 2 to 3–4 issues per year (48–60 pages each). This requires more support to bring this to fruition, + the 100–200-page *Anomaly* journal is under review - namely printing costs and postage. The reality cost of bringing multiple publications is challenging; the postage of Issue 162 and Anomaly in terms of weight/p&p far exceeded eleven hundred pounds. These are direct costs we incur. The possibility of delivering 2 physical and having additional digital publications is the current proposition. Going all digital has been suggested by members, as many like to view magazines on tablets and smartphones as much better way of consuming media.  Call us old-fashioned, we like something physical and tangible. 

We would love to have more frequent touchpoints for added outputs. An understanding would align better with audience expectations for example, a £40 physical membership (vs current £20 for 2 magazines, which are 10.45 at cost),
 mirroring successful UK hobby/science magazines like *Fortean Times* (6 issues/year at £35–£50) or *BBC Science Focus* (12 issues at £45). The evidence leans toward **yes—perception improves dramatically** when price increases are tied directly to tangible, frequent deliverables like extra magazines and content.  

**Comprehensive Value Realignment: 3–4 *Seriously Strange* Issues for Stronger Perception & Sustainability**

ASSAP currently delivers exceptional output—2 high-quality *Seriously Strange* magazines (48–60 pages each, member-submitted, creative/research mix), 1 substantial *Anomaly* journal (150–200 pages, peer-reviewed), 50 exclusive weekly webinars, SPR-endorsed training, grants, events, and archives—for just £5 digital or £20 physical. 

However, **audience perception of value is heavily influenced by frequency and tangibility**, especially for memberships. 
Moving to **3–4 *Seriously Strange* issues per year** (e.g., Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) directly addresses this, transforming the offering from "occasional-irregular" to "regularly anticipated".
 

Cost & Effort Reality Check

- **Printing/Postage**: ~£2–£5 per 60pp issue (color, saddle-stitched, UK post) → 3–4 issues = £9–£20/member/year.
 

- **Current £20 covers**: 2 magazines + 1 journal (~£12–£15 print/post) + overhead → **tight**/**loss**
 

- **With 3–4 issues**: £40 covers £15–£20 print + contribution to webinars/training/events → **sustainable and fair**.
 

Transparency

Consider ASSAP Membership has not increased in more than 15 years (was £20 in 2011 it’s still £20 now) despite inflation, we have absorbed the costs. However, the services we rely on and pay for have always increased.  

To deliver more of what you love—now with 3–4 stunning issues of *Seriously Strange* per year—we’re seeking to adjust physical membership and have a different structure of membership options.  Still delivering incredible value for over 300 pages of print, 50 live webinars, training, accessible priced events and more.

Including a form of grandfather clause (current members renew at £20 for 2026) to ease transition. 

Not having such a new model begin until May 2026. 

Volume, Effort, and Cost Considerations

Delivering 50 webinars + publications requires massive coordination (volunteers, Zoom, production, editing, printing/postage)—yet ASSAP sustains this affordably via low overheads and passion. Peers charge more for less frequent/accessible output; podcasts monetise monthly despite simpler production. ASSAP could sustainably raise to £20 digital / £40 physical without losing the "extraordinary value message", aligning closer to effort while remaining the UK's value proposition in serious paranormal research/education. 

Comparative Landscape

Key Citations

• Nonprofit Tiered Models Guide: https://neonone.com/resources/blog/nonprofit-membership-models/
• Successful Hobby/Science Tiers: https://memberclicks.com/blog/membership-model/
• Association Retention Benefits: https://www.remembers.com/blog/tiered-membership-models-to-consider-for-your-association/
• UK Paranormal Pricing: https://directory.luton.gov.uk/kb5/luton/directory/service.page?id=yI5rYjCBuv0
• Revenue Impact Studies: https://www.wildapricot.com/blog/membership-model
• ASTC/AAAS Benchmarks: https://www.astc.org/membership/ ; https://www.aaas.org/membership/why-join
• SPR/Ghost Club Details: https://www.spr.ac.uk/about/membership ; https://www.ghostclub.org.uk/gc_contact_main.htm

- ASSAP Official Membership: https://www.assap.ac.uk/about/join-assap-here

- SPR Membership: https://www.spr.ac.uk/about/membership

- Ghost Club Subscriptions: https://www.ghostclub.org.uk/gc_contact_main.htm

- Parapsychological Association: https://www.parapsych.org/section/47/become_a_member.aspx

- Rhine Membership: https://www.rhineonline.org/plans-pricing

- Podcast Examples (Ghost Huns): https://open.spotify.com/show/3X6QLO43D80Fp6F3q0TwM4

- Blurry Creatures: https://blurrycreatures.supercast.com/

- The Confessionals: https://www.theconfessionalspodcast.com/terms-and-conditions