The Media of Mediumship: Encountering the Material Culture of Modern Occultism in Britain’s Science, Technology, and Magic Collections

Produced in collaboration with the Science Museum Group and Senate House Library, this project aims to transform understandings of the relationship between science, technology, and unorthodox forms of spiritual belief in modern Britain. 

It will produce a knowledge exchange, events, and creative performance programme designed to showcase the occultural use history of artefacts and collections held by the Science Museum Group and Senate House Library. These activities will explore how seemingly secular technological and scientific instruments— cameras, radios, telegraphs, and other objects— have been used by spiritual practitioners and sceptics alike to probe the existence of an unseen world. The project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and follows on from the Popular Occulture in Britain, 1875-1947 research network. All events are free and open to the public.

Find out more at the Media of Mediumship website.