ABOUT CIPIAS

The Clifton Institute of Paranormal Investigation & Apparition Sciences is an independent research institution dedicated to the systematic scientific investigation of paranormal phenomena throughout Bristol and Avon. CIPIAS conducts rigorous field investigations and controlled laboratory studies to document and analyze evidence of apparitional activity and unexplained phenomena. Our multidisciplinary approach combines traditional investigative methods with cutting-edge technology including digital thermography, electromagnetic field mapping, and computer-enhanced audio analysis.

Since our establishment in 1978, our team of researchers, academic leads and students have conducted in excess of 400 field investigations and controlled laboratory studies. All research follows strict scientific protocols and maintains detailed documentation, with findings subject to peer review. CIPIAS offers specialized courses and degree programs including BA (Hons) Bristol Paranormal Heritage Studies, Certificate in Electronic Voice Phenomena Analysis, Advanced EMF Detection & Environmental Monitoring, and professional development workshops for investigators.

The institute was established in 1978 by Professor Maurice Kenneth Aspall, following his groundbreaking research into Bristol's exceptional concentration of paranormal phenomena. Born in 1937, Professor Aspall began his academic career as a lecturer in experimental psychology at the University of Edinburgh in the early 1960s. Initially focused on cognitive research, his interests shifted toward anomalous phenomena following a series of unexplained incidents during laboratory experiments in 1965.

Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, Aspall conducted informal investigations into reported hauntings across Scotland and Northern England, developing methodological approaches that emphasized rigorous documentation and environmental monitoring. In 1976, he was invited to investigate a prominent case at a Georgian mansion in Clifton. This investigation revealed not only compelling evidence of paranormal activity but also Bristol's extraordinary concentration of documented supernatural phenomena spanning over eight centuries.

Recognizing the city's potential as a unique research environment, Professor Aspall relocated to Bristol and founded CIPIAS in 1978. Under his direction, CIPIAS became Britain's leading regional center for systematic paranormal research. His groundbreaking methodologies influenced researchers across Britain and established the institute as the premier authority on Bristol and Avon's paranormal heritage.

Today, CIPIAS stands as one of the world's most respected institutions in paranormal research, though we prefer to let our work speak rather than engage in academic publicity. With over 2,000 alumni now conducting investigations across six continents, our graduates have quietly established themselves as the gold standard in professional paranormal investigation. From the ancient castles of Scotland to the haunted plantations of the American South, CIPIAS-trained investigators are sought after by property owners, historical societies, and research institutions worldwide.

Our current course offerings provide unprecedented opportunities for dedicated individuals to enter the fascinating world of professional paranormal investigation. However, admission to CIPIAS programs remains highly selective - we accept fewer than 12% of applicants each year. Prospective students must demonstrate not only academic excellence but also psychological resilience, intuitive sensitivity, and an unwavering commitment to scientific rigor. Those fortunate enough to be accepted will find themselves part of an extraordinary community where the impossible becomes routine, where ancient mysteries yield to modern methodology, and where every investigation holds the potential to rewrite our understanding of reality itself.

All projects maintain strict confidentiality agreements with property owners and follow ethical research protocols established by our founder, Professor Maurice K Aspall.