Ghost Hunting to be Discussed at Upcoming Lecture

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Misty Bastian, Spirit Communication in 21st Century America: "Ghost Hunting" and Digital Technologies

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Misty Bastian, chair of the department of anthropology at Franklin and Marshall College, will present a lecture titled “Spirit Communication in 21^st Century America: ‘Ghost Hunting’ and Digital Technologies” on Thursday, March 29, at the University of Arkansas.

“I first met Misty because of her work regarding spiritual practices in western Africa,” said JoAnn D’Alisera, director of the religious studies program and associate professor of anthropology in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. “She’s an internationally known and highly regarded anthropologist, and I knew our students would benefit from exposure to her latest groundbreaking fieldwork.”

An examiner of the paranormal research community, Bastian has interviewed researchers and psychics, gone on investigations with ghost hunters and engaged in participant observational research. She explores the subculture of individuals who seek contact with spirits, ghosts or other paranormal entities.

“My research is similar to other anthropological studies,” said Bastian. “I'm digging into fundamental questions about religion, work ethic, power structure and other basic concepts that define every community. The difference is that the paranormal community hasn't been studied like this before.”

The lecture is sponsored by the religious studies program and the department of anthropology. It will begin at 6 p.m. in the J.B. Hunt Building, room 147.