The Centre for Liminal Studies

Global collaborative consciousness research and exploration

What We Do: Global Research & Collaboration

The Centre for Liminal Studies (CLS) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the rigorous study of consciousness and liminal experience – those transitional spaces, times, practices, and states of consciousness where meaning emerges, boundaries shift and dissolve, and new forms of sensing, experiencing and understanding become possible.

We operate as a collaborative platform, bringing together researchers, artists, practitioners, and communities united by a shared interest in exploring consciousness and its role in human development. Our work spans empirical science, experiential practice, and creative expression, grounded in the conviction that consciousness research demands more than any single methodology can offer.

At the heart of our work is a nurturing ethos. We create environments where emerging ideas and interdisciplinary projects can develop alongside established voices in the field, cultivating a supportive ecosystem that helps people deepen their understanding, and contributing to the evolving study of consciousness.

Neutrality & Independence

The CLS operates as a neutral, independent platform guided by ethics, academic rigour, and genuine openness. We facilitate international, collaborative research, to best serve the growing global community of consciousness explorers and seekers. We hold space for perspectives that sit at the edges of established disciplines – parapsychology, consciousness studies, transpersonal psychology, contemplative science – and for the communities whose lived experience those disciplines attempt to understand. We do not advocate for particular outcomes; we do advocate for careful, honest inquiry.

Not for Profit

The Centre for Liminal Studies is a UK Community Interest Company (CIC) limited by guarantee. We exist to deliver social and intellectual benefit, not private profit. We have no shareholders. Any surplus is reinvested into research, education, and community outreach.

Science & Research

Our research programme is centred on the CoLab – a collaborative consciousness laboratory at Broughton Sanctuary in the UK, supported by an international network of institutional and independent collaborators.

Research is overseen by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) – an independent panel drawing on expertise from across academia, practice, and community. We maintain rigorous ethical standards across all human-participant and other research.

The Threshold Academy provides a public-access repository of empirical research, showcasing datasets, methodologies, and analyses relating to liminal states and experiences. Our peer-reviewed Journal of Liminal Studies ensures this work is preserved, scrutinised, and available to the wider research community.

Arts & Practice

Research findings are not confined to journals. The CLS translates knowledge into lived experience through a range of community-facing activities.

Navigational Workshops offer accessible, practitioner-led training in wellbeing and subtle expansion practices.

Breaking the Fifth Wall is our in-house theatre group, working at the intersection of performance and research. The name signals our intention: not merely to break the fourth wall between audience and performer, but to dissolve the fifth — between observer and the observed mind itself.

Liminal Spaces is our events strand: a physical event space and touring tent experience hosting public engagement with consciousness themes, evolving into its own festival at Broughton Sanctuary in 2028.

We work with artists, writers, and content creators whose work engages with consciousness, liminality, or anomalous experience — including collaboration, publishing, and pathways to wider audiences.

Events & Education

The CLS engages global audiences through research retreats, study groups, webinars and public events.

Research retreats are centred at Broughton Sanctuary, with collaborator and satellite sites globally.

Study groups are run to specific remits, offering structured engagement for those wishing to contribute to or gain insight into different areas of consciousness research.

Regular events take place weekly at the Centre. We also hold space for visionary artists working in all sectors – from gallery and theatre to independent media – fostering connection, collaboration, and pathways to publication and exhibition.

We also facilitate media connections, recommending credible voices in consciousness research to reach broader audiences.

Our people

PAUL STEVENS PhD

Researcher, lecturer, and educator with a background in astronomy, a long-standing research focus on the empirical study of psi phenomena and environment-based effects, and an interest in collective aspects of consciousness. A practitioner in therapeutic wellbeing and ecopsychological approaches.

Kirsty Allan

Psychologist and consciousness researcher, collaborative and creative in approach. Utilises the intersection of both science and arts. Researching the interplay of ‘states and traits’ involved in psi phenomena, transpersonal experience, sensory processing and restriction. Author, coach and community host for sensitive, empathic people who wish to leverage their subtle talents.

Luigi Sciambarella

Hypno-Psychotherapist and Board Director and Chief R&D Officer of the Monroe Institute. Experimental research in sound technology. Lucid dreaming and out of body researcher. Speaker and Educator on consciousness exploration and residential programme facilitator.

Pam Sciambarella

Professional photographer specialising in commercial and events work, still life and portraiture. Background in creative communications. Reiki practitioner at master level.

Jon Cheetham

Design, Marketing, Publishing and branding expert. Visual communication specialist. Founder of national business magazine, facilitator of university publishing arm. Independent book publisher.