Top psychics to test their abilities at Goldsmiths

Two professional mediums have accepted a challenge to prove their abilities, as part of an annual investigation into the psychic industry.

The experiment, due to take place at Goldsmiths, University of London on 21 October will see two professional psychics put their claimed powers to the test. At this stage, the identities of the psychics cannot be revealed to ensure the integrity of the test.

The Merseyside Skeptics Society, working in conjunction with Professor Chris French (pictured above) from the Department of Psychology at Goldsmiths and science writer Simon Singh, formally invited the top self-proclaimed psychics currently touring the UK to prove their abilities through a scientific experiment.

Professor French, Head of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at Goldsmiths, said: "We have two psychics who are very happy to try to demonstrate to us under controlled conditions that their abilities are real. If any of the other psychics we've invited are willing to show us that their powers are real, we're definitely very interested in hearing from them.

"We understand, of course, that not every psychic claim is the same - with that in mind, we're ready to develop a test that suits the individual psychic perfectly, which we can carry out at the psychic's convenience. We're here, and we're just looking for the truth - if any mediums think they have what it takes, we can't wait to hear from them."

The test will be taking place at Goldsmiths on Sunday 21 October 2012 with results to be announced on Halloween, Wednesday 31 October 2012.

The challenge comes a year after the Merseyside Skeptics Society invited popular television 'psychic' Sally Morgan to settle controversy around her alleged abilities by undergoing a similar test. Although Sally refused to take up the challenge last year, the group remain hopeful she will now be willing to prove her critics wrong.

Michael Marshall, Vice President of the Merseyside Skeptics Society, said: "Given that Sally has stated in the past that she has 'better things to do than take any test', we've extended our invitation to other well-known psychics operating today. We sincerely hope at least one of them will show what we believe to be common courtesy of demonstrating that their fans' faith - not to mention their money - isn't misplaced."

Provided by Goldsmiths, University of London