BUFORA Bulletin No. 27

This document is the January 1988 issue (Number 27) of the BUFORA Bulletin, published by the British UFO Research Association. The bulletin serves as a forum for researchers to discuss various aspects of Ufology, including the 'Earthlights' hypothesis, the role of media in reporting UFO flaps, and critical reviews of contemporary literature. Paul Devereux presents his 'Ufological Pie' model, which categorizes UFO reports into five slices: Identified Flying Objects (IFOs), Psychological/Psycho-social factors, Hoaxes, Actual UFOs (AUFOs), and Geopsychic phenomena. John Merron and Paul McCartney contribute further analysis on the Earthlights hypothesis, suggesting a link between geological faults, tectonic stress, and the manifestation of light phenomena, which they argue may be misidentified as extraterrestrial craft. The bulletin also features a heated debate regarding the credibility of UFO investigators, specifically involving Marion Sunderland and Jenny Randles, concerning the handling of case data and the publication of personal accounts. The issue includes administrative information for BUFORA, such as council member lists, research requests, and advertisements for new publications like 'The UFO World '87' and 'Phenomenon'. The editorial by Mike Wootten criticizes the media's handling of UFO stories, particularly the BBC's 'Kilroy' programme, and emphasizes the need for unbiased scientific research. The bulletin concludes with a 'Readers Write' section, where members discuss internal organizational issues, such as the perceived secrecy of the Network of Investigators (NIC) and the enforcement of codes of conduct. The document provides a snapshot of the British UFO research community in the late 1980s, highlighting the tension between traditional ufology and emerging alternative theories.