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Beginning Tuesday, August 1, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Stephen Hupp, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychology, will start a new role as editor of Skeptical Inquirer: The Magazine for Science and Reason.

Hupp was first introduced to the magazine by former Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift. Since then, he has been a strong supporter of the publication.

“In a brief conversation with Chancellor Vandegrift in 2011, we realized we both shared a passion for scientific skepticism,” said Hupp. “He found out that I didn’t subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer and sent me a copy a few days later through campus mail. If not for that brief conversation and kind act, I might not be in this position today.”

Hupp’s expertise in psychology will bring a new perspective to the magazine as it typically caters to readers interested in science, pseudoscience and critical thinking. Topics range from the fun, like UFO’s and Bigfoot, to the serious, like vaccine denial and climate change.

Hupp assumes the role following former editor Kendrick Frazier’s passing. Frazier served as editor from 1977 to 2022.

“I hope to honor the amazing legacy of Kendrick Frazier for as long as I am editor,” said Hupp. “Stuart Vyse also deserves a tremendous amount of credit for continuing to deliver a high-quality magazine as he served as interim editor over the last year.”

Skeptical Inquirer is published by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) which was founded by luminaries such as Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, James Randi, Paul Kurtz and B.F. Skinner. CSI also has notable fellows such as Bill Nye, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ann Druyan and Steven Pinker.

Hupp will be one of the featured speakers for the magazine’s annual conference this October in Las Vegas. To learn more about conference registration, visit csiconference.org/.

Photo: Stephen Hupp, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychology, poses with his first edition of Skeptical Inquirer given by former SIUE Chancellor Vandegrift.