Our Mission Statement
ISRAE is a 501(c)3 Federal Nonprofit Dedicated to the fair scientific exploration of religious and paranormal experiences. We strive to provide reliable, research-based education to promote citizen science and collaboration between academics and the paranormal community and promoting internships and volunteerism.
What is ISRAE?
ISRAE started in 2009 as an undergraduate organization dedicated to the scientific investigation of purportedly haunted locations and training in research methods. It has since become a research institute formally founded in 2014. Its students, members, and academics are dedicated to the scientific study of religious and anomalous experiences. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit that focuses on parapsychology, a subject that is both controversial and neglected by many scientists. Our primary goals are to conduct research studies and experiments, provide reliable education to the public at large, develop methods and technology for investigating paranormal phenomena, and publish our findings in peer-reviewed journals whenever possible.
What Topics Do We Research?
ISRAE performs research examining religious encounter experiences and experiences labeled as paranormal. This includes topics such as the phenomena and symptoms of hauntings and spiritual encounters and the psychological and cultural experiences of the paranormal. Our findings tend to have one thing in common. Our goal is not to judge people’s experiences or support our own beliefs but to successfully model and further understand haunting experiences both from a scientific and experiential perspective. We let the research data tell us its story. By staying neutral and striving to conduct quality scientific research, we stay honest and neutral about what we do and don’t know about paranormal events.
ISRAE Board
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Dr. Brian Laythe, Ph.D.
Dr. Brian Laythe, Ph.D., obtained his doctorate in experimental psychology from the University of New Hampshire and is the director of ISRAE. He has published dozens of peer-reviewed papers on the topics of religion, hauntings, extra-sensory perception, paranormal events, locations, and phenomena. Brian was a college professor for nearly two decades at both universities and colleges. He is currently running a forensic psychology practice and is the Managing Editor of the Journal of Scientific Exploration.
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Dr. Cindy Little, Ph.D.
Dr. Cindy Little, PhD., obtained her doctorate in educational psychology from Baylor University. She is published in the field of education, psychology, and parapsychology. Currently, she is a lecturer in Baylor University’s educational psychology department where she teaches graduate level research methods. She is also the media specialist for the Journal of Scientific Exploration and owner of Waco Ghosts, a paranormal research and consulting business. Her research interests include apparitional, poltergeist and haunt phenomena.
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Damien Houran
Damien J. Houran is an independent researcher and student currently based in Texas. He has both co-authored several peer-reviewed articles in the field of psychology, and been involved with parapsychological studies for the past several years. His primary interest constellates around philosophy of religion, religious and occult iconography, and the application of ritual practices to art. Damien currently owns a Texas landscaping company with a focus in sustainable practices of regional flora.