Dr Alexander De Foe conducts research into global states of consciousness and the perceptual binding problem. He has a few major research interests, which extend into qualia models of consciousness and altered states, predictive modelling of mind, and the role of technological and transpersonal interventions in the conceptual representation of self.
On this website you will find Alex's personal blog as well as consultation and research details based on his main areas of interest. You can study with Alex by enroling into a graduate research program in psychological science or by completing a short personal development course via this site.
Site overview
This website is split into a number of sections: On the Consultation page you will find information about current consultative and counselling-based services that I provide. On the Courses page, you can register to enrol in training or short professional development courses with myself or with one of my associates. On the Students page you'll find details about postgraduate research opportunities in my areas of interest. Finally, you can refer to the Publications and Portfolio pages for more background about my work, as well as posts on my personal blog.
Mini bio
In 2009 I took an interest in experiential research into the mind-body problem. I ran an informal questionnaire into out-of-body experiences (OBEs) which helped me to illustrate the rich qualitative nature of these accounts and their implications from both a psychological and philosophical perspective.
From 2011-2016 I completed my formal research training at Monash University on the perceptual basis of OBEs and the holistic sense of embodiment. Throughout 2016-2019 I completed a clinical fellowship at RMIT University to examine the use of modern technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in OBEs and other related phenomena. As of 2019 onwards, I am working on a number of projects which examine perceptual precedence and visual processing of integrated information.
Millions of items of the outward order are present to my senses which never properly enter into my experience. Why? – William James
Current projects and news
New: Personal development courses in self-growth transpersonal coaching
Visit the courses page for more information
Veridical Mind Project: 2016-2019
As part of my postdoctoral work, I led the Veridical Mind Project, which is the largest-scale Australasian investigation into out-of-body experiences (OBEs) involving realistic perception of one's physical environments. The original research included 400 qualitative accounts of OBE perception that involved realistic or veridical characteristics.
OBEs are highly arousing; they can be either deeply disturbing or profoundly moving. Understanding the nature of this widespread and potent experience would no doubt help us better understand the experience of being alive and human. – Lynn Levitan and Stephen LaBerge at the Lucidity Institute
This research project was funded by the Australian Institute of Parapsychological Research, the Society of Psychical Research (UK), and the Parapsychological Association (US). Initial results were presented in December 2018 at the AIPR Annual Mini Convention in New South Wales, Australia.
You can keep up with updates to the project via my blog as the studies conclude the final phase in 2019.