Gesellschaft zur wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung von Parawissenschaften
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA German nonprofit society that promotes scientific skepticism, critical thinking, and public understanding of evidence-based methods.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Gesellschaft zur wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung von Parawissenschaften, commonly abbreviated GWUP, is a German nonprofit organization devoted to the critical examination of pseudoscience, paranormal claims, esotericism, superstition, and forms of alternative medicine. Its name translates approximately as Society for the Scientific Investigation of Pseudosciences. The organization presents itself as part of the international skeptical movement and seeks to make scientific methods understandable and useful in public life. GWUP was established as a registered association in Bonn on 11 October 1987. It developed from the informal Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Skeptiker zur Untersuchung von Pseudowissenschaften und Okkultem, or ASUPO, which had been formed earlier in 1987. The society also identifies a historical predecessor in the Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Bekämpfung des Kurpfuschertums, founded in 1903 and dissolved under the Nazi regime in 1934. GWUP is recognized in Germany as a charitable organization focused on public education. Its work covers claims involving dowsing, telekinesis, astrology, fortune-telling, spiritism, UFOs, cryptozoology, ancient astronauts, conspiracy theories, creationism, anthroposophy, energized water, and other alleged paranormal or paratechnological effects. Health claims receive particular attention because the organization argues that reliance on ineffective treatments can cause people to delay or reject effective medical care. Homeopathy has consequently been one of its most persistent subjects of criticism. The society combines public education, media work, empirical testing, publishing, conferences, and consumer-protection advocacy. Its annual conference, now associated with the name SkepKon, provides a public forum for skeptical research and discussion. Since 2004, GWUP has also conducted controlled tests of people claiming paranormal abilities. Applicants agree to a test protocol in advance, and the organization reports that no applicant had successfully demonstrated the claimed ability in the reported testing period. GWUP maintains the Centre for Science and Critical Thinking in Roßdorf. Founded in 1999 by Martin Mahner, the center answers enquiries from journalists and members of the public and maintains a reference library. Regional groups operate in several German and Austrian cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart, Vienna, and Würzburg. The Viennese group uses the public name Gesellschaft für kritisches Denken. The organization publishes the quarterly magazine Skeptiker, established in 1987, and supports blogs and social-media activity by the society and its members. It also runs or supports the annual prognosis check, which reviews earlier astrological and fortune-telling predictions against subsequent events. GWUP's public profile has been strengthened by television appearances, newspaper coverage, skeptical lectures, the Das Goldene Brett vorm Kopf award, and participation in international campaigns against unsupported medical claims. GWUP has not been without internal and external criticism. Sociologist Edgar Wunder, a founding member, has argued that the organization gives insufficient attention to investigating paranormal claims and instead promotes a naturalistic worldview. GWUP representatives have rejected the implication that criticism is ignored, while acknowledging the importance of addressing valid methodological and organizational concerns. As of the latest supplied reference material, André Sebastiani chairs the society, and Nikil Mukerji heads the Centre for Science and Critical Thinking.
History
GWUP emerged from the German skeptical movement of the 1980s. An informal working group, ASUPO, was formed in February 1987 to examine pseudoscience and occult claims. On 11 October 1987, the organization was formally established as a registered association in Bonn. Its historical context also includes the earlier German Society for Fighting Quackery, founded in 1903 and suppressed during the Nazi period. From its beginning, GWUP combined scientific criticism with popular education. Rather than limiting its activities to academic debate, it sought to explain research methods to the public and assess claims that could affect health, consumer decisions, or public policy. Its subjects have included astrology, clairvoyance, dowsing, telekinesis, spiritism, UFO reports, cryptozoology, creationism, conspiracy theories, anthroposophy, alternative medicine, and alleged paranormal technologies. The society began its annual conference program in 1989. These meetings became an important public-facing feature of the organization and later adopted the SkepKon label. Conferences have been held in cities including Vienna, Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Augsburg. In 2012 GWUP hosted the sixth World Skeptics Congress in Berlin. The events provide lectures, discussions, and presentations on skeptical research and science communication. GWUP created the Centre for Science and Critical Thinking in Roßdorf in 1999 under the direction of Martin Mahner. The center maintains reference material and responds to questions from journalists and other members of the public. Its work supports the organization's role as a media and educational resource. Nikil Mukerji succeeded Mahner as head in 2024. Empirical testing is another defining activity. Since 2004, GWUP has organized controlled tests for people claiming paranormal abilities. Test conditions are agreed with applicants in advance, and the organization has reported no successful demonstration during the period described in the supplied reference material. The society also conducts an annual prognosis check, coordinated by Michael Kunkel, comparing published astrological and fortune-telling predictions with later events. Health claims, especially homeopathy, have been central to GWUP's campaigning. The organization supported a 2005 petition against special treatment for homeopathy in Germany and joined the international 10:23 Campaign in 2011. It criticized a proposed homeopathy degree course in Traunstein in 2014; the proposal was subsequently discontinued. In 2018 it announced a challenge asking participants to identify selected high-potency homeopathic preparations under controlled conditions. The organization also engages in school-policy debates. In 2012, its Science Council issued an open letter opposing an experiment involving Waldorf education at a Hamburg state school, arguing that public education should emphasize an enlightened and scientifically grounded worldview. Other public activities include the annual Das Goldene Brett vorm Kopf award, lectures in the Skeptics in the Pub format, media appearances, blogs, and publication of the quarterly Skeptiker magazine. GWUP has faced criticism from Edgar Wunder, a founding member and sociologist, who argued that it focuses more on defending a naturalistic worldview than on neutrally investigating paranormal claims. This criticism reflects a broader debate over whether organized skepticism is primarily an empirical research movement or a form of science-oriented public advocacy. GWUP has maintained that valid internal and external criticism should be addressed while continuing to promote scientific standards and critical thinking. The society remains active as a German-speaking organization within the wider international skeptical movement.
- 2024
New chairperson and science-centre head
[1]André Sebastiani became chairperson and Nikil Mukerji took over leadership of the Centre for Science and Critical Thinking.
- 2013
SkepKon branding introduced
[1]The annual conference in Cologne used the SkepKon name for the first time.
- 2012
World Skeptics Congress in Berlin
[1]GWUP hosted the sixth World Skeptics Congress in Berlin from 18 to 20 May.
- 2004
Psi tests become an annual activity
[1]GWUP began regular controlled tests of claimed paranormal abilities.
- 2002
Prognosis check begins
[1]GWUP began systematically reviewing earlier astrological and fortune-telling predictions.
- 1999
Science and Critical Thinking Centre opens
[1]Martin Mahner established the organization's reference and public-enquiry center in Roßdorf.
- 1989
Annual conference program begins
[1]The society began hosting recurring conferences to present its work to a broad public.
- 1987
Formal establishment
[1]GWUP was founded as a registered association in Bonn on 11 October, following the creation of the ASUPO working group earlier that year.
Products and positioning
A German-speaking scientific-skepticism organization positioned between public education, consumer protection, empirical investigation, and criticism of pseudoscientific or paranormal claims.
Quarterly magazine · 1987
Skeptiker
GWUP's quarterly publication, launched in 1987, covers skeptical analysis, scientific methods, paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and related public debates. It combines articles, interviews, and reporting intended for readers interested in evidence-based examination of extraordinary claims.
Annual conference · 2013
SkepKon
The organization's public annual conference presents talks and discussions on scientific skepticism, critical thinking, medicine, psychology, media, and paranormal claims. The event has moved among German and Austrian cities and is a major meeting point for the German-speaking skeptical movement.
Empirical testing program · 2004
Psi test
A controlled testing program for people who claim paranormal abilities. Applicants and GWUP agree on a protocol before testing, with the aim of distinguishing genuine repeatable effects from chance, suggestion, or procedural weaknesses.
Prediction review · 2002
Prognosis check
An annual retrospective examination of predictions made by astrologers and fortune-tellers. The program compares public predictions with subsequent events and uses the results to illustrate problems involving vague claims, selective memory, and unfalsifiable forecasting.
Skepticism award · 2011
Das Goldene Brett vorm Kopf
An ironic annual award presented in Vienna for prominent examples of pseudoscientific or irrational claims. It also includes a lifetime-achievement distinction and has become a visible public-relation activity associated with GWUP and its Austrian skeptical network.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Homeopathy identification challenge
Germany
GWUP invited individuals or groups to identify selected high-potency homeopathic preparations using a reproducible, pre-agreed procedure.
- 2012Science-based school education letter
Germany
GWUP's Science Council challenged a Hamburg state school's experiment with Waldorf education and called for public schooling to place scientific and enlightened educational principles at its center.
- 201110:23 Campaign
Germany · International
GWUP participated in public demonstrations involving the ingestion of highly diluted homeopathic preparations. The action was intended to communicate that such products lack a scientifically credible active dose and should not be confused with evidence-based medicine.
Outcome. The campaign increased public visibility for skeptical criticism of homeopathy.
- 2005Petition against special treatment of homeopathy
Germany
GWUP supported a petition opposing the treatment of homeopathy as a specially privileged healing method, arguing that medical status should reflect reliable evidence of efficacy.
Brand decisions
2014
Public opposition to proposed homeopathy degreeStrategyBackground
A bachelor's degree course in homeopathy was proposed in Traunstein, raising concerns that academic credentials could give unsupported medical claims greater legitimacy.
Action taken
GWUP publicly criticized the proposal and described the academic framing of homeopathy as misleading.
Aftermath
The proposed course was discontinued in April 2014.
2013
Annual conference adopts SkepKon nameStrategyBackground
GWUP had held annual skeptical conferences since 1989 and sought a recognizable public identity for the recurring event.
Action taken
The 2013 Cologne conference was presented under the SkepKon name.
Aftermath
SkepKon became the established conference label associated with the organization.
Sources2 sources
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