“Sex, Bugs & Sonic Attacks: How Mating Insects & Bad Science Created ‘Havana Syndrome’”

(Speaking Saturday 15:05 – 16:45)

Dr Robert Bartholomew is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland. He has published numerous books addressing topics on the margins of science including UFOs, lake monsters, hauntings, and Bigfoot. In 2024 he provided testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the psychology behind ‘Havana Syndrome.’ His writings have appeared in over 60 peer-reviewed journals. His books include American Hauntings (with Joe Nickell), The Encyclopedia of Extraordinary Social Behavior (with Hilary Evans), A Colorful History of Popular Delusions (with Kiwi Peter Hassall), and American Intolerance: Our Dark History of Demonizing Immigrants. His latest book is Social Panics & Phantom Attackers: A Study of Imaginary Assailants (with Paul Weatherhead). In New Zealand he is best known for his book No Maori Allowed on the history of racial segregation.