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Hill is the founder of ''[[Sharon A. Hill#Doubtful News|Doubtful News]]'', a news site that links synopses and commentary to original news sources, and provides information to critically assess claims made in the media (no longer being updated). She is also producer and host of the ''Doubtful News'' podcast called ''[[Sharon A. Hill#15 Credibility Street|15 Credibility Street]]''. She has also created the ''[[Sharon A. Hill#Spooky Geology|Spooky Geology]]'' website.
Hill is the founder of ''[[Sharon A. Hill#Doubtful News|Doubtful News]]'', a news site that links synopses and commentary to original news sources, and provides information to critically assess claims made in the media (no longer being updated). She is also producer and host of the ''Doubtful News'' podcast called ''[[Sharon A. Hill#15 Credibility Street|15 Credibility Street]]''. She has also created the ''[[Sharon A. Hill#Spooky Geology|Spooky Geology]]'' website.


Hill has been a contributor to ''[[The Huffington Post]]'' blog and has appeared in written and podcast media discussing related topics. She wrote the ''Sounds Sciencey'' column for the [[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry]] (CSI),<ref>{{cite web|title=Sounds Sciency|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/archive/category/sounds_sciencey|publisher=CSICOP|accessdate=2013-04-06}}</ref> has contributed reports and articles to ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]'' and ''[[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry|Skeptical Briefs]]'' and contributed to various skeptical, science and paranormal blogs. Hill also has been a speaker at various science-related and science-fiction-related conferences, including [[Balticon]], [[The Amaz!ng Meeting]] (TAM), NECSS, and [[Dragon Con]].
Hill has been a contributor to ''[[The Huffington Post]]'' blog and has appeared in written and podcast media discussing related topics. She wrote the ''Sounds Sciencey'' column for the [[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry]] (CSI),<ref>{{cite web|title=Sounds Sciency|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/archive/category/sounds_sciencey|publisher=CSICOP|accessdate=2013-04-06}}</ref> has contributed reports and articles to ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]'' and ''[[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry|Skeptical Briefs]]'' and contributed to various skeptical, science and paranormal blogs. In 2012, Hill was named as a Scientific and Technical Consultant for the Center for Inquiry.<ref>{{cite journal|date=2013|title=Five New Fellows, Two Consultants Elected to Committee for Skeptical Inquiry|journal=The Skeptical Inquirer|volume=37|issue=2|page=8}}</ref>
Hill also has been a speaker at various science-related and science-fiction-related conferences, including [[Balticon]], [[The Amaz!ng Meeting]] (TAM), NECSS, and [[Dragon Con]].


She published her first book, ''Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers,'' in 2017.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon A.|title=Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers|date=2017|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476630823|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vqg7DwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover|accessdate=16 January 2018|language=en}}</ref>
She published her first book, ''Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers,'' in 2017.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon A.|title=Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers|date=2017|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476630823|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vqg7DwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover|accessdate=16 January 2018|language=en}}</ref>
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==Scientific skepticism==
==Scientific skepticism==
Interested in ghosts and monsters from a young age, as Hill grew older she realized that "science was a better way of explaining the world." She credits the works of [[Stephen Jay Gould]] as her gateway into skepticism. In her 2011 ''Meet the Skeptics!'' podcast interview, she states that becoming a skeptic was a gradual process and that she realized "there was a better way to look at these subjects [ghosts] in a more critical way."<ref name="Meet the Skeptics!: Sharon Hill">{{cite web | author =Christopher Brown | url=http://meettheskeptics.libsyn.com/mts-meet-sharon-hill | title=Podcast:Meet Sharon Hill| publisher=Meet the Skeptics! | date=9 August 2011 | accessdate=31 December 2014}}</ref>
[[Image:SH no.jpg|thumb|200px|Hill in 2013]]Interested in ghosts and monsters from a young age, as Hill grew older she realized that "science was a better way of explaining the world." She credits the works of [[Stephen Jay Gould]] as her gateway into skepticism. In her 2011 ''Meet the Skeptics!'' podcast interview, she states that becoming a skeptic was a gradual process and that she realized "there was a better way to look at these subjects [ghosts] in a more critical way."<ref name="Meet the Skeptics!: Sharon Hill">{{cite web | author =Christopher Brown | url=http://meettheskeptics.libsyn.com/mts-meet-sharon-hill | title=Podcast:Meet Sharon Hill| publisher=Meet the Skeptics! | date=9 August 2011 | accessdate=31 December 2014}}</ref> Neither her websites nor her podcast use the word 'skeptic', due to certain issues she finds with the label.<ref>
{{cite web|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon A.|title=Please don't call me a Skeptic|url=https://sharonahill.com/2018/07/10/please-dont-call-me-a-skeptic/|url-status=live|website=Sharon A. Hill|accessdate=12 July 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712132851/https://sharonahill.com/2018/07/10/please-dont-call-me-a-skeptic/|archivedate=12 July 2018}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web|last1=Palmer|first1=Rob|date=September 14, 2018|title=The Well-Known Skeptic: I’m Keeping My Skeptic’s Card!|url=https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/im_keeping_my_skeptics_card|website=CSI|publisher=Center for Skeptical Inquiry|accessdate=7 February 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207183854/https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/im_keeping_my_skeptics_card|archivedate=7 February 2019}}
</ref>


Hill partnered with former ghost-hunter turned skeptic Kenny Biddle to form and organize the Anomalies Research Society, a network of professionals that focus on [[ethics|ethical]], evidence-based investigation of [[paranormal]] and anomalous events.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon|authorlink1=Sharon A. Hill|title=15 Credibility St #11: It’s One Louder|url=http://doubtfulnews.com/2017/02/15-credibility-st-11-its-one-louder/|website=Doubtfulnews.com|publisher=Doubtful News|accessdate=30 December 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230225758/http://doubtfulnews.com/2017/02/15-credibility-st-11-its-one-louder/|archivedate=30 December 2017|date=26 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Brocious|first1=Jason|title=LVH Annual Meeting: Kenny Biddle's Investigations Of Paranormal CLAIMS|url=http://www.lvhumanists.org/annual_meeting_20180107|website=lvhumanists.org|publisher=Lehigh Valley Humanists|accessdate=30 December 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230224601/http://www.lvhumanists.org/annual_meeting_20180107|archivedate=30 December 2017|date=5 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
Hill partnered with former ghost-hunter turned skeptic Kenny Biddle to form and organize the Anomalies Research Society, a network of professionals that focus on [[ethics|ethical]], evidence-based investigation of [[paranormal]] and anomalous events.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon|authorlink1=Sharon A. Hill|title=15 Credibility St #11: It’s One Louder|url=http://doubtfulnews.com/2017/02/15-credibility-st-11-its-one-louder/|website=Doubtfulnews.com|publisher=Doubtful News|accessdate=30 December 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230225758/http://doubtfulnews.com/2017/02/15-credibility-st-11-its-one-louder/|archivedate=30 December 2017|date=26 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Brocious|first1=Jason|title=LVH Annual Meeting: Kenny Biddle's Investigations Of Paranormal CLAIMS|url=http://www.lvhumanists.org/annual_meeting_20180107|website=lvhumanists.org|publisher=Lehigh Valley Humanists|accessdate=30 December 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230224601/http://www.lvhumanists.org/annual_meeting_20180107|archivedate=30 December 2017|date=5 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>{{When|date=November 2021}}

In March 2013, Hill launched the "Media Guide to Skepticism" document, published on the website of the [[James Randi Educational Foundation]].<ref>
{{Cite journal
| last = Hill
| first = Sharon
| title = Guide to Skepticism – A Community Document
| url = http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/2060--guide-to-skepticism-a-community-document.html
| publisher = [[James Randi Educational Foundation]]
| date = March 22, 2013
| postscript = .
}}
</ref> She said she was inspired by [[Wired (website)|Wired.com]]'s "Media Guide to Volcanoes", with the aim of assisting reporters looking to write about scientific skepticism, as well as those new to the movement.<ref name="token-skeptic-2013">
{{cite podcast
| url = http://tokenskeptic.org/2013/04/16/episode-one-hundred-and-fifty-seven-on-the-media-guide-to-skepticism-interview-with-sharon-hill/
| title = On the Media Guide to Skepticism
| work = Token Skeptic Podcast
| date = April 16, 2013
| host = [[Kylie Sturgess|Sturgess, Kylie]]
}}
</ref>


Hill was also a contributing blogger for ''The Huffington Post'' as "a researcher specializing in the interaction between science, the media and the public"<ref name="huffpost-profile">
Hill was also a contributing blogger for ''The Huffington Post'' as "a researcher specializing in the interaction between science, the media and the public"<ref name="huffpost-profile">
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}}
}}
</ref>
</ref>

In 2018, Hill publicly eschewed the "skeptic" label due to perceived negative connotations of the term and issues she has with organized skepticism. She stated "the label is limiting and is overwrought with mistaken assumptions of being elitist, arrogant, and closed-minded." She also stated "Atheism adherence and advocacy, a separate and narrower niche, continues to be conflated with skepticism." She maintains her support for the "philosophy and process of scientific skepticism".<ref>
{{cite web
|last1=Hill
|first1=Sharon A.
|title=Please don't call me a Skeptic
|url=https://sharonahill.com/2018/07/10/please-dont-call-me-a-skeptic/
|website=Sharon A. Hill
|accessdate=12 July 2018
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712132851/https://sharonahill.com/2018/07/10/please-dont-call-me-a-skeptic/
|archivedate=12 July 2018
|url-status=live}}
</ref> This attitude was foreshadowed in her ''Sounds Sciencey'' column in 2013 in which she stated the terms “skeptics” and “believers” are limiting, especially how both terms are perceived culturally. Neither her websites nor her podcast use the word “skeptic.” <ref>
{{cite web
|last1=Palmer
|first1=Rob
|title=The Well-Known Skeptic: I’m Keeping My Skeptic’s Card!
|url=https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/im_keeping_my_skeptics_card
|website=CSI
|publisher=Center for Skeptical Inquiry
|accessdate=7 February 2019
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207183854/https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/im_keeping_my_skeptics_card
|archivedate=7 February 2019
|date=September 14, 2018}}
</ref>

[[Image:SH no.jpg|thumb|left|200px|March 29, 2013]]


===Study of paranormal investigative groups===
===Study of paranormal investigative groups===
The topic of amateur research and investigation groups (ARIGs) was also the subject of Hill's Masters thesis, which examined the "community of amateur paranormal investigators and how they used science."<ref name="PA nonbelievers">{{cite web|title=2012 PA State Atheist Humanist Conference: Sunday Morning Welcome / Sharon Hill|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QTkFJLC2u8|publisher=PA Nonbelievers|accessdate=2013-04-06}}</ref> In an interview regarding ''The Scope of Skepticism'', Hill discussed with [[Kylie Sturgess]] her opinion, based on research findings,<ref name="scientifical">
In 2011, Hill appeared at the Balticon Science Fiction Convention, where she delivered the presentation "Being Scientifical," which focused on amateur research groups and particularly focused on self-styled paranormal researchers.<ref>
{{Cite journal|last=Hill|first=Sharon A.|date=December 2010|title=Being Scientifical: Popularity, Purpose and Promotion of Amateur Research and Investigation Groups in the U.S.|location=New York|publisher=University at Buffalo, State University of New York}}
{{cite web
</ref> that most paranormal groups can cause harm to the public.<ref name="sturgess">{{cite book|last=Sturgess|first=Kylie|author-link=Kylie Sturgess|title=The Scope of Skepticism: Interviews, Essays and Observations from the Token Skeptic Podcast|year=2012|publisher=PodBlack Books|isbn=9781291005011|page=99}}</ref> According to Hill, many amateur paranormal investigation groups state they "do science... when it's absolutely not."<ref name="sturgess" /> and use science "as a stereotype: the jargon, the equipment, the attitude."<ref name="Meet the Skeptics!: Sharon Hill" />
| title = Balticon, Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention
| url = http://www.balticon.org/Balticon45/participants.html
| accessdate = 2013-03-26
}}
</ref>

The topic of amateur research and investigation groups (ARIGs) was also the subject of Hill's Masters thesis, which examined the "community of amateur paranormal investigators and how they used science."<ref name="PA nonbelievers">{{cite web|title=2012 PA State Atheist Humanist Conference: Sunday Morning Welcome / Sharon Hill|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QTkFJLC2u8|publisher=PA Nonbelievers|accessdate=2013-04-06}}</ref> Hill researched paranormal groups that studied ghosts, UFOs, and monsters and that were not affiliated with any institution or scientists, groups with no connection to the scientific community. She looked at how they used science, specifically the words "science" or "scientific" in their websites. She wanted to see if science was in their methods and/or goals and to see if any of these groups were scientific at all. She found that the groups "used science almost exclusively as a way to look legitimate...These people didn't have any scientific training." She told ''Meet the Skeptics!'' that the groups used science "as a stereotype: the jargon, the equipment, the attitude."<ref name="Meet the Skeptics!: Sharon Hill" />

According to the Abstract, Hill's research demonstrated that while "ARIGs often used science-like language, symbols and methods to describe their groups' views or activities," the one thousand amateur paranormal investigation groups that were studied often employed "non-scientific and subjective methods...in conjunction with objective methods," and that the processes "considered scientific" by ARIGS "did not match with established methods and the ethos of the scientific research community or scientific processes of investigation."<ref name="scientifical">
{{Cite journal
| publisher = University at Buffalo, State University of New York
| last = Hill
| first = Sharon A.
| title = Being Scientifical: Popularity, Purpose and Promotion of Amateur Research and Investigation Groups in the U.S.
| location = New York
| date = December 2010
}}
</ref>

In an interview regarding ''The Scope of Skepticism'', Hill discussed with [[Kylie Sturgess]] her opinion, based on research findings,<ref name="scientifical" /> that most paranormal groups can cause harm to the public.<ref name="sturgess">{{cite book|last=Sturgess|first=Kylie|author-link=Kylie Sturgess|title=The Scope of Skepticism: Interviews, Essays and Observations from the Token Skeptic Podcast|year=2012|publisher=PodBlack Books|isbn=9781291005011|page=99}}</ref> According to Hill, many amateur paranormal investigation groups state they "do science... when it's absolutely not."<ref name="sturgess" /> In her podcast interview with ''Meet the Skeptics!'', Hill states that "amateur paranormal investigation groups who that say they use the quote unquote scientific method, try to do that but they miss out on that more complicated end of it where they don't want to test their ideas, they don't want critique...they don't want to present it to the scientific community, they don't want it picked at, and therefore it's not science."<ref name="Meet the Skeptics!: Sharon Hill" /> Hill has criticized paranormal investigators for telling parents that demons are the cause of noises and their children's odd behavior, characterizing this practice as "mean and unethical."<ref name="sturgess" />

After attending the Phenomenology Conference in Gettysburg, PA, Hill wrote about her observations for the [[Center for Inquiry]] (Committee for Skeptical Inquiry). She described what she saw as a shifting attitude of these paranormal groups from a "sciencey-sounding" approach to a spiritual one. She refers to an example of this change, the Catholicism-influenced TV show [[Paranormal State]], noting a lack of scholarship and noting that contemporary investigation teams seemed to be able to "do as they please". Of these paranormal groups, Hill wrote that it is critical for observers of paranormal culture to note "how important FEELING is in these experiences, rather than THINKING."<ref>{{cite web|last=Hill|first=Sharon|title="Phenomenology" Paranormal Conference Shows Shift from Sciencey to Spiritual|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/phenomenology_paranormal_conference_shows_shift_from_sciencey_to_spiritual|publisher=Center For Inquiry|accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref>

===Doubtful News===
In 2011, Hill started the ''Doubtful News'' web site, which curates news sources while providing commentary and background information. Hill stated on [[Skepticality]] that ''Doubtful News'' is "a way to look at weird news in a more skeptical light."<ref>{{cite web|title=Another Doubtful Year|url=http://www.skepticality.com/another-doubtful-year/#axzz2Pkfu3SGa|publisher=[[Skepticality]]|accessdate=2013-04-06}}</ref> A May 2012 article in ''Skeptical Inquirer'' documented its launch, which Hill said "came about because there was no one-stop source of breaking news of interest to critical thinkers that was not primarily straight science offerings or opinions."<ref name="radford-2012">
{{Cite journal
| issn = 0194-6730
| volume = 36
| issue = 3
| page = 6
| last = Radford
| author-link = Ben Radford
| first = Benjamin
| title = Doubtful News blog launched
| work = Skeptical Inquirer
| date = June 2012
}}
</ref>


===15 Credibility Street===
=== Doubtful News ===
In 2011, Hill started the ''Doubtful News'' web site, which curates news sources while providing commentary and background information. Hill stated on [[Skepticality]] that ''Doubtful News'' is "a way to look at weird news in a more skeptical light."<ref>{{cite web|title=Another Doubtful Year|url=http://www.skepticality.com/another-doubtful-year/#axzz2Pkfu3SGa|publisher=[[Skepticality]]|accessdate=2013-04-06}}</ref>
On October 17, 2016 ''Doubtful News'' launched a [[podcast]] named ''15 Credibility Street'' for which Hill is both producer and host with cohosts Torkel Ødegård and Howard Lewis. (Lewis left the show in May 2017).<ref name="skpetical_briefs_credibility_street">{{cite journal|last1=Mongia|first1=Gurmukh|title=A Visit to 15 Credibility Street|journal=Skeptical Briefs|date=Spring 2017|volume=37|issue=1|page=13}}</ref> The show notes are made available on the ''Doubtful News'' site, and the podcast can be subscribed to at [[iTunes]]<ref name = iTunes>{{cite web|title=15 Credibility Street by Sharon Hill|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/15-credibility-street/id1163843627?mt=2&i=378174399|website=iTunes.apple.com|accessdate=30 December 2016}}</ref> as well as at other podcasting sites. At launch, the targeted release schedule was a new show "every fortnight."<ref name=Skepreview>{{cite web|title=The Skeptical Review: 15 Credibility Street by Doubtful News|url=http://www.skepreview.com/2016/10/15-credibility-street-by-doubtful-news.html|website=Skepreview.com|accessdate=30 December 2016}}</ref> Theme music from musician Cherry Theresa.<ref name="Theme Music">{{cite web |title=41: Earwitness Testimony |url=https://soundcloud.com/15credstreet/earwitness-testimony |website=15 Credibility Street |publisher=Doubtful News |accessdate=7 June 2018}}</ref>


====15 Credibility Street====
The podcast is intended to "be a platform to discuss items that appear on the ''Doubtful News'' website for further reflection and comment as well as other topics of a skeptical or Fortean bent."<ref name=Skepreview/>
On October 17, 2016 ''Doubtful News'' launched a [[podcast]] named ''15 Credibility Street'' for which Hill is both producer and host with cohosts Torkel Ødegård and Howard Lewis. (Lewis left the show in May 2017).<ref name="skpetical_briefs_credibility_street">{{cite journal|last1=Mongia|first1=Gurmukh|title=A Visit to 15 Credibility Street|journal=Skeptical Briefs|date=Spring 2017|volume=37|issue=1|page=13}}</ref> The podcast is intended to "be a platform to discuss items that appear on the ''Doubtful News'' website for further reflection and comment as well as other topics of a skeptical or [[Fortean]] bent."<ref name="Skepreview">{{cite web|title=The Skeptical Review: 15 Credibility Street by Doubtful News|url=http://www.skepreview.com/2016/10/15-credibility-street-by-doubtful-news.html|website=Skepreview.com|accessdate=30 December 2016}}</ref>


==Role of skepticism==
==Role of skepticism==
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Hill has encouraged an increase in dialog between paranormal believers and skepticism groups, encouraging skeptics to "take time to listen to the other side, especially ... the believers, because there is something to learn from them."<ref name="PA nonbelievers"/> In April 2013, Hill reviewed a skeptic conference for [[Aaron Sagers]]' paranormal entertainment site ''Paranormal Pop Culture''.<ref name="paranormal-pop-culture-2013" />
Hill has encouraged an increase in dialog between paranormal believers and skepticism groups, encouraging skeptics to "take time to listen to the other side, especially ... the believers, because there is something to learn from them."<ref name="PA nonbelievers"/> In April 2013, Hill reviewed a skeptic conference for [[Aaron Sagers]]' paranormal entertainment site ''Paranormal Pop Culture''.<ref name="paranormal-pop-culture-2013" />


In a May 2013 interview for ''The Paranormal Podcast'' by Jim Harold, Hill described ways in which the efforts of both skeptical and paranormal investigators could benefit from sharing viewpoints.<ref name="harold-2013">
{{cite podcast
| url = http://jimharold.com/the-paranormal-podcast/the-skeptical-perspective-paranormal-podcast-287/
| title = The Skeptical Perspective – Paranormal Podcast 287
| publisher = Paranormal Podcast
| host = Jim Harold
| date = 27 May 2013
| accessdate = 8 June 2013
}}
</ref> In dialog with Hill, Harold stated that "we as believers [...] can maybe take some useful things from [the skeptical perspective], be a little more critical when we're looking at things and still maintain our beliefs, our viewpoint."<ref name="harold-2013" />

Hill attended the ''Fringe NJ Spring 2016 Conference''<ref>{{cite web|title=Fringe New Jersey: Spring 2016 conference|url=http://www.fringenewjersey.com/spring-2016|website=Fringenewjersey.com|accessdate=30 December 2016}}</ref> in Hamilton NJ and discussed this at length on her ''[[Sharon A. Hill#15 Credibility Street|15 Credibility Street]]'' podcast.<ref name = iTunes/>{{rp|(Episode 4, 53:30)}} She concluded with a discussion of the importance of skeptics going to non-skeptical events of this type:

{{quote|text=People will always believe weird things. They always have. They always will [...] They don't necessarily want to know if they're true or not [...] And if we want to understand why people are like that and maybe what we can do to change those behaviors when they turn out to be something kind of harmful or dangerous to society... how can we sway the population into thinking a little bit more critically... we have to know what they're thinking and what they're experiencing. We can't just sit back here and say 'Oh, ghosts are stupid. People who believe in them are stupid.' You need to go to these events and see how emotional people get when they talk about these things... that they really, really do believe them. And that they're really, really part of their lives. And the only way you're going to do that is if you go to these events and observe.<ref name = iTunes/>{{rp|(Episode 4, 1:18:25)}}}}

===Skepticism as consumer protection===
On an April 14, 2013, interview on ''Strange Frequencies Radio'', Hill stated that she views the role of scientific skepticism as one of "consumer protection" to help people better evaluate even everyday claims: "We really need to apply skepticism every day in life, or else we'll get scammed, taken by some product that doesn't work, or it could affect our health or checking account."<ref name="strange-frequencies-2013">
On an April 14, 2013, interview on ''Strange Frequencies Radio'', Hill stated that she views the role of scientific skepticism as one of "consumer protection" to help people better evaluate even everyday claims: "We really need to apply skepticism every day in life, or else we'll get scammed, taken by some product that doesn't work, or it could affect our health or checking account."<ref name="strange-frequencies-2013">
{{cite podcast
{{cite podcast
Line 234: Line 141:
}}
}}
</ref>
</ref>

==''Scientifical Americans''==

Historian Brian Regal reviews Hill's first book ''Scientifical Americans'' for ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]'' magazine. He says that this is a timely book as it comes during an era when many question science. Hill gives a historiography of the field of "modern paranormal interest: monsters, UFOs, and ghosts." She does not insult or ridicule the people she writes about, but explains their stories through case studies. Regal feels that this book will not deter believers in the paranormal, but it is an important part of a "growing literature on amateur paranormal research".<ref name="Regal review">{{cite journal |last1=Regal |first1=Brian |title=Strang Songs from the Fringe |journal=Skeptical Inquirer |date=2018 |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=60–61 |publisher=Committee for Skeptical Inquiry}}</ref>

Hill discusses her book with [[Richard Saunders (skeptic)|Richard Saunders]] in a Skeptic Zone podcast on 27 May 2018. "It's about the culture of amateur paranormal investigators; it's about how they understand science and try to use science. It's more about the public understanding of science, but focusing in on those paranormal researchers and what they do." "In the book I talk about not only ghost hunters but also cryptozoologists and ufologists who do the same thing in a different way. Each of the fields is slightly different. And I talk about how science has looked at these fields already and discovered that there isn't really anything there to investigate."<ref>{{cite web |title=The Skeptic Zone #501 27.May.2018 |url=http://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-501-27may2018 |website=The Skeptic Zone Podcast |accessdate=14 June 2018}}</ref>


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon A.|title=Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers|date=December 8, 2017|publisher=McFarland|isbn=1476672474}}
* {{cite book|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon A.|title=Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers|date=December 8, 2017|publisher=McFarland|isbn=1476672474}}

==Honors==
In 2012, Hill was named as a Scientific and Technical Consultant for the Center for Inquiry.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Five New Fellows, Two Consultants Elected to Committee for Skeptical Inquiry|journal=The Skeptical Inquirer|date=2013|volume=37|issue=2|page=8}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 19:12, 2 December 2021

This article is about Sharon A. Hill, the science writer and geologist. For other people or places, see Sharon Hill (disambiguation).
Sharon A. Hill
Born (1970-08-23) August 23, 1970 (age 53)
CitizenshipAmerican
Alma mater
University at Buffalo (2010)
Pennsylvania State University (1992)
Known forGeology, Scientific skepticism
Scientific career
ThesisBeing Scientifical: Popularity, Purpose and Promotion of Amateur Research and Investigation Groups in the U.S. (2010)
Websitehttp://doubtfulnews.com

Sharon A. Hill (born August 23, 1970) is a science writer and speaker known for her research into the interaction between science and the public, with a focus on education and media topics. Hill's research has dealt particularly with topics of the paranormal, pseudoscience, and anomalous natural phenomena, and began at the University at Buffalo, where she performed her graduate work in this area. Hill attended Pennsylvania State University, earning her B.S. degree in Geosciences, and works as a geologist in Pennsylvania.

Hill is the founder of Doubtful News, a news site that links synopses and commentary to original news sources, and provides information to critically assess claims made in the media (no longer being updated). She is also producer and host of the Doubtful News podcast called 15 Credibility Street. She has also created the Spooky Geology website.

Hill has been a contributor to The Huffington Post blog and has appeared in written and podcast media discussing related topics. She wrote the Sounds Sciencey column for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI),[1] has contributed reports and articles to Skeptical Inquirer and Skeptical Briefs and contributed to various skeptical, science and paranormal blogs. In 2012, Hill was named as a Scientific and Technical Consultant for the Center for Inquiry.[2]

Hill also has been a speaker at various science-related and science-fiction-related conferences, including Balticon, The Amaz!ng Meeting (TAM), NECSS, and Dragon Con.

She published her first book, Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers, in 2017.[3]

Professional career

Hill has worked as a geologist with the Pennsylvania State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in the department's mining office. As a geologist and public policy expert, Hill has been involved in the investigation and remediation efforts of sinkholes[4] and has presented on public policies related to sinkholes[5] as well as on mining regulatory issues.[6]

Scientific skepticism

Hill in 2013

Interested in ghosts and monsters from a young age, as Hill grew older she realized that "science was a better way of explaining the world." She credits the works of Stephen Jay Gould as her gateway into skepticism. In her 2011 Meet the Skeptics! podcast interview, she states that becoming a skeptic was a gradual process and that she realized "there was a better way to look at these subjects [ghosts] in a more critical way."[7] Neither her websites nor her podcast use the word 'skeptic', due to certain issues she finds with the label.[8][9]

Hill partnered with former ghost-hunter turned skeptic Kenny Biddle to form and organize the Anomalies Research Society, a network of professionals that focus on ethical, evidence-based investigation of paranormal and anomalous events.[10][11][when?]

Hill was also a contributing blogger for The Huffington Post as "a researcher specializing in the interaction between science, the media and the public"[12] and has contributed to various skeptical, science and paranormal blogs such as Skeptoid[13] and Aaron Sagers' Paranormal Pop Culture.[14]

Study of paranormal investigative groups

The topic of amateur research and investigation groups (ARIGs) was also the subject of Hill's Masters thesis, which examined the "community of amateur paranormal investigators and how they used science."[15] In an interview regarding The Scope of Skepticism, Hill discussed with Kylie Sturgess her opinion, based on research findings,[16] that most paranormal groups can cause harm to the public.[17] According to Hill, many amateur paranormal investigation groups state they "do science... when it's absolutely not."[17] and use science "as a stereotype: the jargon, the equipment, the attitude."[7]

Doubtful News

In 2011, Hill started the Doubtful News web site, which curates news sources while providing commentary and background information. Hill stated on Skepticality that Doubtful News is "a way to look at weird news in a more skeptical light."[18]

15 Credibility Street

On October 17, 2016 Doubtful News launched a podcast named 15 Credibility Street for which Hill is both producer and host with cohosts Torkel Ødegård and Howard Lewis. (Lewis left the show in May 2017).[19] The podcast is intended to "be a platform to discuss items that appear on the Doubtful News website for further reflection and comment as well as other topics of a skeptical or Fortean bent."[20]

Role of skepticism

Hill has criticized narrowing the focus of skepticism to target religious belief specifically, stating that "[c]riticism of religion really doesn't have a place in scientific framework... But when religious claims cross over into testable claims, then they are fair game for the skeptic."[15] Although Hill works to investigate claims of the paranormal, she has stated that "'Does God exist' is not a skeptic question," and that "[s]cientific skepticism and atheism are very different things."[15]

Hill has encouraged an increase in dialog between paranormal believers and skepticism groups, encouraging skeptics to "take time to listen to the other side, especially ... the believers, because there is something to learn from them."[15] In April 2013, Hill reviewed a skeptic conference for Aaron Sagers' paranormal entertainment site Paranormal Pop Culture.[14]

On an April 14, 2013, interview on Strange Frequencies Radio, Hill stated that she views the role of scientific skepticism as one of "consumer protection" to help people better evaluate even everyday claims: "We really need to apply skepticism every day in life, or else we'll get scammed, taken by some product that doesn't work, or it could affect our health or checking account."[21]

Bibliography

  • Hill, Sharon A. (December 8, 2017). Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers. McFarland. ISBN 1476672474.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sounds Sciency". CSICOP. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
  2. ^ "Five New Fellows, Two Consultants Elected to Committee for Skeptical Inquiry". The Skeptical Inquirer. 37 (2): 8. 2013.
  3. ^ Hill, Sharon A. (2017). Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers. McFarland. ISBN 9781476630823. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  4. ^ Esack, Steve (2004-02-06). "Route 33 bridge in fast lane — Span split by sinkhole may be replaced by autumn for $6 million. [FOURTH Edition]". Morning Call. Allentown, Pa., United States. p. B1. ISSN 0884-5557.
  5. ^ Hill, Sharon A. (2005-09-23). Resolving Sinkhole Issues: A State Government Perspective. American Society of Civil Engineers. pp. 520–28. doi:10.1061/40796(177)55. ISBN 978-0-7844-0796-7. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  6. ^ 21st Century Noncoal Regulatory Issues (PDF). 46th Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey. May 2010. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  7. ^ a b Christopher Brown (9 August 2011). "Podcast:Meet Sharon Hill". Meet the Skeptics!. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  8. ^ Hill, Sharon A. "Please don't call me a Skeptic". Sharon A. Hill. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  9. ^ Palmer, Rob (September 14, 2018). "The Well-Known Skeptic: I'm Keeping My Skeptic's Card!". CSI. Center for Skeptical Inquiry. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  10. ^ Hill, Sharon (26 February 2017). "15 Credibility St #11: It's One Louder". Doubtfulnews.com. Doubtful News. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  11. ^ Brocious, Jason (5 December 2017). "LVH Annual Meeting: Kenny Biddle's Investigations Of Paranormal CLAIMS". lvhumanists.org. Lehigh Valley Humanists. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  12. ^ "Sharon Hill". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  13. ^ "Sharon Hill – Skeptoid". Skeptoid.com. Retrieved 2013-04-07.
  14. ^ a b Hill, Sharon A. (April 29, 2013). "Believe it (or not) but there is a lot to learn at a skeptic-con". Paranormal Pop Culture.
  15. ^ a b c d "2012 PA State Atheist Humanist Conference: Sunday Morning Welcome / Sharon Hill". PA Nonbelievers. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
  16. ^ Hill, Sharon A. (December 2010). "Being Scientifical: Popularity, Purpose and Promotion of Amateur Research and Investigation Groups in the U.S.". New York: University at Buffalo, State University of New York. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  17. ^ a b Sturgess, Kylie (2012). The Scope of Skepticism: Interviews, Essays and Observations from the Token Skeptic Podcast. PodBlack Books. p. 99. ISBN 9781291005011.
  18. ^ "Another Doubtful Year". Skepticality. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
  19. ^ Mongia, Gurmukh (Spring 2017). "A Visit to 15 Credibility Street". Skeptical Briefs. 37 (1): 13.
  20. ^ "The Skeptical Review: 15 Credibility Street by Doubtful News". Skepreview.com. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  21. ^ "Episode 235". Strange Frequencies Radio (Podcast). April 14, 2013.

External links

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