George Terence Meaden

Jenny Randles is a British author and former director of investigations for the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA), a role she held from 1982 to 1994. She is also a co-founder of the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena and has written extensively on UFOs and other paranormal subjects, including crop circles, ESP, and spontaneous human combustion. Randles has explored various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, including alleged alien abductions and the Rendlesham Forest incident, often offering skeptical analyses or psychological explanations for reported events.

Her career has seen her contribute to publications like Fortean Times and Northern UFO News, and she has authored or co-authored numerous books on her chosen topics. While initially a believer in extraterrestrial visitation, her views evolved, leading her to suggest that many UFO sightings have ordinary explanations or stem from psychological factors. Randles has also discussed her personal experience as a transgender woman, transitioning in the 1970s and later revealing her status publicly.

Her work has been described by reviewers with a range of opinions, from "respected ufologist" to criticisms of extraordinary claims lacking verifiable evidence. Despite the varying reception, Randles has been recognized as a significant figure in the study of UFOs and the paranormal in Britain.

Jenny Randles served as the director of investigations for the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA) for over a decade, from 1982 to 1994. During this period, she authored numerous books examining UFOs and various paranormal phenomena. Her research interests spanned topics such as crop circles, ESP, and spontaneous human combustion, a concept she once championed. Randles was also instrumental in founding the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena. She has contributed to magazines like Fortean Times and edited Northern UFO News, establishing herself as a prominent voice in the field.

Initially, Randles held a strong belief in extraterrestrial visitors to Earth. However, her perspective shifted over time, leading her to conclude that many UFO sightings possess mundane explanations. She proposed that some "contact-cases" might originate from the percipient's psyche rather than external alien sources. Randles also investigated significant cases like the Rendlesham Forest incident, co-authoring an early book on the subject. While initially contributing to the surrounding conspiracy theories, she later adopted a more skeptical stance, suggesting misperceptions of ordinary events in unusual circumstances rather than alien craft.

Randles' later work often advocated for a more scientific approach to ufology, criticizing sensationalism and highlighting the field's shortcomings. In books like "Science and the UFOs," she argued for rigorous investigation while acknowledging the potential legitimacy of some sightings. She suggested that claimed UFO abductions might be better understood as witnesses reliving genuine trauma under hypnosis, reinterpreted through the lens of UFO beliefs. Randles also explored phenomena like "The Oz Factor," describing the sensation of experiencing a similar yet altered reality, and wrote about the possibility of time warps and time travel.

Born in Lancashire, England, Jenny Randles pursued studies in chemistry, mathematics, and physics before dedicating herself to UFO research. She is a post-surgical transgender woman who transitioned in 1973 and underwent gender-affirming surgery in 1976. Randles has been open about her transgender identity, particularly on social media. She faced a situation in 1996 where her status was at risk of being revealed, prompting her to disclose it to her colleagues. She self-identifies as a transsexual.