These Researchers Say They Have Serious Questions About UFOs

The episode details the growing scientific push to establish Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) as a legitimate field of academic study, shifting the conversation from the fringes to mainstream institutions. This movement is driven by increasing government acknowledgment of UAP sightings—including declassified videos and official reports—which has led scientists from prestigious universities to argue that the persistent, unexplainable observations require rigorous, open scientific inquiry. Leading researchers, such as Avi Loeb and Garry Nolan, are actively collecting data and publishing findings despite intense professional stigma, while advocating for the creation of dedicated interdisciplinary departments, funding streams, and peer-reviewed journals to systematically investigate the phenomena. Although critics point to poor data quality and the eventual explanation of past cases, proponents contend that establishing a formal discipline is the only way to collect high-quality data and address the profound national security and potential scientific implications of these unknown objects.