ASSAP

What ASSAP does

ASSAP (Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena) is a UK-registered charity (no. 327422) and learned membership association founded on 10 June 1981 by Alan Hughes, Hugh Pincott, and Alan Cleaver. Headquartered at 63/66 Hatton Garden in London, the organisation investigates, researches, and educates on anomalous phenomena including ghosts and hauntings, UFO/UAPs, psi, cryptids, and fortean phenomena. ASSAP operates without paid staff, with all administration undertaken by volunteers under the leadership of a President, Honorary Vice Presidents, Secretary, Training Officer, and Investigations Coordinator.

The organisation's core products span publications (Seriously Strange Magazine, the peer-reviewed Anomaly Journal, and ASSAP Investigators Bulletins), a weekly Paranormal Webinars LIVE programme delivered on Zoom (over 280+ catalogued sessions), the annual Seriously Strange Conference hosted at the University of Worcester, and accredited investigator training programmes (AAI and ARI levels, unified into a single course from January 2026) endorsed by the Society for Psychical Research. Supporting services include a UK-wide investigation network accepting confidential case reports, research grants for member-led projects, an archive of nearly 400 investigation reports dating to 1965, local investigation groups, and the Seriously Strange Podcast distributed across Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and other platforms. The underlying technology stack is built on commodity SaaS — Moodle for the Virtual Learning Environment, Zoom for live webinars, Mailchimp for email, and Ticket Tailor for event booking — supplemented by environmental sensors used in field investigations.

ASSAP's business model is membership-funded, with primary revenue from annual subscriptions (£20 postal grandfathered / £40 from May 2026; £5 digital grandfathered / £20 from May 2026; concession rates available), supplemented by training course fees (£50 plus £12 for Guidance Notes), conference and event ticket sales (including day/weekend passes, gala evenings at £30, ghost tours, and lunch packages), on-campus accommodation bundled with conferences (£60/night), and publication sales. The customer base consists of paranormal researchers and enthusiasts (primary), members of the public reporting anomalous experiences (secondary), and media and academic institutions consulting on paranormal topics (secondary). Geographic focus is the UK, with some international digital members unable to join the full Register of Investigators due to operational limits.

Name

ASSAP

Legal name

ASSAP (Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena)

Website

https://assap.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ASSAP is a UK-registered charity and learned membership association founded in 1981 that investigates anomalous phenomena (ghosts, UFOs, psi, cryptids). It serves paranormal researchers, enthusiasts, and witnesses through publications, weekly webinars, annual conferences, accredited investigator training (AAI/ARI), podcasts, and a UK-wide investigation network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Primary revenue stream from annual membership subscriptions. Postal membership at £20/year (grandfathered rate, increasing to £40 from May 2026), digital membership at £5/year (increasing to £20). Concession rates for under-21s, over-60s, and unwaged members.
2. Conference and Event Tickets: Revenue from annualSeriously Strange Conference, including day passes, weekend passes, ghost tours, gala evenings, and lunch packages. Gala Evening tickets at £30 per person.
3. Training Course Fees: ASSAP Accredited Investigator (AAI) course at £50 plus £12 for Guidance Notes. New unified training program from January 2026 with reduced fees for AAI and full fees for ARI.
4. Publications: Seriously Strange magazine distributed to members (3-4 issues per year planned). Anomaly Journal with peer-reviewed publications. Archive access to 40+ years of journals.
5. Accommodation Services: University of Worcester on-campus accommodation booked through ASSAP at £60/night for single rooms with breakfast.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ASSAP is a UK charity and learned membership association that investigates anomalous phenomena including hauntings, UFOs/UAPs, psi, and cryptids. It sells annual memberships, delivers weekly live webinars and an annual conference, runs accredited investigator training programmes (AAI and ARI), and publishes Seriously Strange magazine, Anomaly Journal, and Investigators Bulletins.

Product overview

ASSAP (Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena) is a UK-based charity and learned membership society founded in 1981, operating without paid staff through volunteers. The organisation offers a portfolio of publications, educational programmes, and community services focused on the scientific study of paranormal and anomalous phenomena. Core offerings include: the flagship Seriously Strange Magazine (print and digital, 3-4 issues annually) and Anomaly Journal (peer-reviewed academic publication); the weekly ASSAP Paranormal Webinars LIVE via Zoom with 280+ catalogue sessions; the annual Seriously Strange Conference at the University of Worcester; and investigator training programmes at AAI (Accredited Investigator) and ARI (Registered Investigator) levels, unified under a single training course from January 2026. Additional services include the Seriously Strange Podcast distributed across major audio/video platforms, research grants for member-led projects, archive and library services with 400+ investigation reports, and a UK-wide network of local investigation groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Seriously Strange Podcast: Video podcast series and weekly webinar platform exploring paranormal and unexplained phenomena
• Seriously Strange Magazine
• Anomaly Journal
• NRPI Training

Products and services

• Seriously Strange Magazine ASSAP's flagship publication featuring articles, features, essays, and commentary on paranormal and anomalous phenomena, including ghosts, UFOs, Forteana, consciousness, and research. Distributed in print (3-4 issues per year) and digital editions, available to members.
• Anomaly Journal Peer-reviewed academic journal featuring formal research papers, articles, features, and book reviews in journal format, covering paranormal phenomena research. Published periodically and made available to members.
• ASSAP Investigators Bulletins Newsletter for Accredited Investigators containing advice, information, and updates on investigations, research, locations, and equipment. Published periodically from May 2005 onwards.
• ASSAP Paranormal Webinars LIVE Weekly live presentation series held every Thursday at 7:00 PM (UK Time) via Zoom, featuring researchers, academics, and enthusiasts discussing paranormal topics. Over 280+ catalogued sessions available to members, often described as 'TEDx for the paranormal'.
• Seriously Strange Conference Annual conference dedicated to the scientific study of anomalous phenomena, featuring expert speakers, deep-dive workshops, networking opportunities, ghost tours, and gala evenings. Held at University of Worcester in 2026.
• ASSAP Accredited Investigator (AAI) Training Foundational investigator training delivered over 5-6 weekly sessions of 90 minutes each. Upon completion, eligible to join ASSAP investigation teams for basic requirements including field observations, measurements, and witness interviews. Curriculum endorsed by the Society for Psychical Research and required reading for Rhine Education Centre students.
• ASSAP Registered Investigator (ARI) Training Advanced investigator training for full Register entry. Includes additional online modules beyond AAI level, comprehensive written assessment, and provisional entry to Register of Investigators. ARI-trained members can lead ASSAP investigation teams, manage cases, liaise with clients, interview witnesses, and produce case reports.
• Seriously Strange Podcast Video and audio podcast distributed across Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, PocketCasts, Rumble, Odysee, and YouTube. Features presentations, panel discussions, and conversations on paranormal topics, including the 'High Strangeness in the UK' series.
• Investigation Case Reporting Service UK-wide investigator network accepting confidential case reports of anomalous experiences, with sympathetic, unbiased approach. Members of the public can submit reports through the investigation team for documentation and follow-up.
• Research Grants Programme Grant programme funding member-led paranormal research projects, including studies on magnetic fields at haunted sites and exploration of phenomena such as the Black Dog phenomenon. Open to ASSAP members.
• Archive and Library Services ASSAP archives containing nearly 400 investigation reports dating back to 1965, extensive journals, publications, and postal library service for members. Includes historical materials such as ASSAP News and Common Ground magazines.
• Local Groups Network Network of active local groups across the UK conducting investigations and research, with connections to Regional Affiliated groups and organisations for in-person engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 members trained and active in paranormal research
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of WorcestercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Host venue for the annual Seriously Strange Conference. Provides modern lecture theatres and on-campus accommodation for conference attendees. Partnership enables accessible pricing for attendees with university-managed facilities.
• Society for Psychical Research (SPR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSAP training course notes are endorsed by the Society for Psychical Research, a leading international organization for psychical research. This endorsement provides credibility to ASSAP's AAI/ARI accreditation programs.
• Rhine Education CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSAP course notes are required reading for students of the Rhine Education Centre, indicating educational partnership in paranormal studies training.
• YouGovminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSAP commissioned YouGov to conduct representative surveys of British adults on paranormal beliefs in 2015 and 2016, providing quantitative data on ghost and UFO beliefs in the UK.
• English HeritageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSAP has collaborated with English Heritage and local authorities on investigations of haunted locations, indicating professional relationships in heritage and investigation work.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ghost Research Society: US-based organisation (founded 1977) conducting academic research into ghosts and hauntings, with publications and investigator training. Directly comparable to ASSAP in ghost/hauntings research focus, member publications, and long operating history in paranormal investigation.
• International Fortean Organization (INFO): Organisation dedicated to the study of fortean phenomena (named after Charles Fort), covering anomalous events, cryptozoology, and UFOs. Directly comparable to ASSAP in fortean/cryptozoological research scope and membership-based structure.
• BUFORA (British UFO Research Association): UK-based membership association investigating UFOs/UAPs using rigorous research methods. Directly comparable as a UK learned society focused on anomalous phenomena (specifically UFOs, one of ASSAP's core topics) with a shared volunteer-led ethos and member publications.
• Society for Psychical Research (SPR): The UK and international learned society studying anomalous phenomena through scientific methods. Directly comparable to ASSAP in mission (scientific paranormal research), membership-based structure, and publishing activities; SPR also endorses ASSAP's training materials.
• MUFON (Mutual UFO Network): The world's largest UFO/UAP research organisation with investigator training, field investigations, and a peer-reviewed journal (the MUFON Journal). Directly comparable to ASSAP in UFO research focus, investigator accreditation programmes, and membership-driven training.
• The Ghost Club: The oldest organisation in the world dedicated to the study of ghosts and psychical research (founded 1862, UK-based). Directly comparable to ASSAP as a UK learned society for paranormal investigation with membership structure, publications, lectures, and field investigation.
• Parapsychological Association: International professional organisation for parapsychology (founded1957), affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Comparable as a scientific body studying anomalous/paranormal phenomena with conferences, publications, and member-driven research programmes.
• Rhine Research Center: US-based parapsychology research organisation offering education and investigation into psi phenomena. Directly comparable to ASSAP in scientific paranormal research mission, training offerings, and the Rhine Education Centre partnership where ASSAP materials are required reading.

Emerging players

• Fortean Times: UK-based magazine (founded 1973) covering fortean phenomena, the paranormal, UFOs, and cryptozoology. Comparable to ASSAP's Seriously Strange magazine and Anomaly Journal as a fortean/paranomal publication serving a similar enthusiast audience, though operating as a commercial magazine rather than charity.

Others

• ParaScience: Parapsychology research group associated with the Koestler Parapsychology Unit at the University of Edinburgh. Adjacent to ASSAP as a UK-based academic research presence in parapsychology, providing scientific infrastructure and educational pathways that overlap thematically though not commercially.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ASSAParanormal
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_-Be960UF5JeZyKOy93PNg/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/7552750587
• Instagraminstagram.com/assap_paranormal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASSAP