Joe Nickell

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Joe Nickell
Born	December 1, 1944(1944-12-01)
Education	Ph.D. in English
Alma mater	University of Kentucky
Occupation	Stage magician
Known for	CSICOP

Joe Nickell was born December 1, 1944. He is a former stage magician and is a prominent skeptical investigator of the paranormal. He also works as an historical document consultant ^[1] and has examined such famous forgeries as the purported Jack the Ripper Diary.

In “An Interview With Joe Nickell,” Eric Krieg of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking, describes Nickell (using Nickell's own words) as an “investigator” and formerly an “undercover detective, teacher, draft dodger, river boat manager, carnival promoter, magician and spokesperson.”

Nickell holds B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Kentucky. His Ph.D. is in English for graduate work focusing on literary investigation and folklore. He is a senior Research Fellow for the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal and is a member of its Executive Council. He writes regularly for their journal, the Skeptical Inquirer. He is also an associate dean of the Center for Inquiry Institute. He has worked professionally as a private investigator, journalist, and university instructor, and is the author or editor of several books.

Nickell is a recurring guest on Point of Inquiry, and conducts the annual Houdini Seance at the Center for Inquiry Institute every Halloween ^[2]

Nickell was a co-recipient of the 2005 Robert P. Balles Prize in Critical Thinking, awarded by CSICOP.