William G. Roll

William G. Roll (July 3, 1926 – January 9, 2012) was a notable figure in the field of parapsychology, best known for his research into poltergeists and psychokinesis. Born in Bremen, Germany, Roll moved to the United States where he significantly contributed to the scientific study of paranormal phenomena. He held a Master's degree in philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in psychology from Lund University in Sweden.

Throughout his career, Roll worked at various prestigious institutions, including the Parapsychological Association, where he served as president. He was also a faculty member at the Psychical Research Foundation and held positions at the Rhine Research Center and the University of West Georgia. Roll's work was instrumental in moving the study of paranormal phenomena into the realm of serious scientific inquiry.

One of Roll's most significant contributions to the field was his development of the theory of the Recurrent Spontaneous Psychokinesis (RSPK), which he proposed as an explanation for poltergeist activity. According to Roll, poltergeist phenomena were not caused by ghosts or supernatural entities but were instead manifestations of psychokinetic energy produced by living individuals, often adolescents undergoing emotional stress.

Roll conducted numerous field investigations into poltergeist cases, the most famous of which was the 1967 case of the "Poltergeist Girl" in Miami, Florida. His meticulous approach to research and emphasis on collecting empirical data helped lend credibility to a field often marred by skepticism and controversy.

In addition to his research on poltergeists, Roll explored the broader implications of psychokinesis and its relationship to human consciousness. He authored several books and numerous articles on the subject, contributing significantly to the academic and scientific discourse on parapsychology.

Roll's work has been recognized with various awards, including the Outstanding Career Award from the Parapsychological Association. Despite facing criticism from skeptics, his dedication to applying scientific methods to the study of paranormal phenomena has left a lasting impact on the field of parapsychology.