A Survey of Mantis Entity Encounter Experiences
https://www.reddit.com/r/Experiencers/comments/1tbv1ir/comment/oll19p1/
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Research
](https://www.reddit.com/r/Experiencers/?f=flair_name%3A%22Research%22)
Hi All,
I’m leading a study investigating people’s encounters with mantis entities (often associated with altered states of consciousness, but some individuals report encounters going about their day-to-day lives). This is a research collaboration with Prof. David Luke (University of Greenwich) and Samantha Treasure (an OBE book author, anthropologist and independent researcher). We have not received any funding support to undertake the study, and are working on it in our own free time, motivated purely by our shared interest in the subject. This is not a data mining exercise, and is purely for research purposes, pertaining solely to this particular topic.
All and any survey feedback is very much appreciated, as is sharing the survey with others you feel might be interested in it.
Study Background
This mantis encounter phenomenon has never been researched in depth before, prompting me to craft this survey seeking to shed some light on it. This study seeks to find out more about a general overview of your mantis entity encounter experiences, an overview of your single most vivid mantis entity encounter experience, experiential features of this encounter experience, and its interpretation and impact. The study has been reviewed and given ethical approval through the University of Greenwich Research Ethics Board.
Completing the survey should take around 20 minutes, depending on the level of feedback provided in the open text response segments of the survey (and it is totally up to the individual in question how much feedback they wish to provide in these parts of the survey). Further information about the study can be found in the Participant Information Sheet, accessible via clicking the link to the survey below.
Is this survey anonymous?
The survey is completely anonymous, unless you agree to be contacted for future research, or wish to be entered into the Amazon gift voucher raffle as a thank you for taking the time to complete the survey. This is totally optional, and in both of these cases, you will be prompted to enter an email address, but these will be only be visible to the three study investigators and will not be visible to, or shared with anybody else.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
We hope to publish the results of this study in a scientific journal in time (and I will prioritise open access publication to ensure the results are in the public domain) and I will share the research once it is published. We may also present the results at scientific conferences or seminars. The results of the survey may also inform the writing of a book on the mantis entity encounter phenomenon.
Eligibility Criteria
You are invited to participate in this survey if you fulfil all of the criteria listed below:
1). You are at least 18 years old.
2). You read, write, and speak English fluently.
3). You have had an encounter with a mantis entity.
Link to survey:
https://greenwichuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dcBnqTIzLTTQz7E
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
The purpose of this information sheet is to provide you with sufficient information so that you can give your informed consent. It is thus very important that you read this document carefully and raise any issues that you do not understand with the investigator. Once you are familiar with the information on this sheet and have asked any questions you may have, you can decide whether or not to participate. If you agree, you will be asked to fill in the consent form for this study.
Name of researchers: Prof David Luke (d.p.luke@gre.ac.uk), Dr Sam Gandy, and Samantha Treasure.
Project title: A Survey of Mantis Entity Encounter Experiences
The study has been reviewed and given ethical approval through the University of Greenwich Research Ethics Board.
What is the purpose of this project?
This study aims to explore the features associated with mantis entity encounter experiences (experiences, whereby a perceived encounter occurs with a praying mantis or insectoid creature, other than an actual insect of a biological mantis or related insect species) , often associated (but not necessarily limited to) various altered states of consciousness. The study consists of a questionnaire.
The questionnaire involves 6 sections, and should take between 20-40 minutes, depending on the details included:
i. Participant background (including basic demographic information pertaining to ethnicity, religion, and psychiatric history)
ii. General overview of mantis entity encounter experiences
iii. Overview of your single most vivid mantis entity encounter experience.
iv. Experiential features of the mantis entity encounter
v. Realism
vi. Enduring effects
Why have I been invited to take part in this study and what are the exclusion criteria?
You have been invited to take part in this study as you have had an encounter with a mantis entity, whether in an altered state of consciousness or in clear, sober, waking consciousness. You should be 18+ years old and proficient in the English language to take part.
Will I be named in the study?
Participants will be kept anonymous and data will be held securely and confidentially. We do not collect identifying information such as your name, email address, or IP address. Any other data supplied will be kept anonymously on a public data archive for a period of 10 years and will then be destroyed. Data will not be publicly shared other than in an aggregate form with other participant data as trends (for numerical data), or as themes (for written data).
Can I withdraw from the project?
You are under no obligation to take part in this study or to finish the questionnaire, including if you feel distressed when reflecting upon past experiences related to the questionnaire (you are not required to inform us of the reason for withdrawal). If you wish to withdraw from the study and have your data deleted please contact the researchers at Dr David Luke (d.p.luke@gre.ac.uk) with your personal code which you will be asked to supply once you consent to participation. You will have until 28th February 2026 to withdraw your data. Your email will be deleted immediately after correspondence so that personal details are not shared.
The study concerns encounters with mantis beings, whether in an altered or sober state of consciousness. Sometimes such experiences can be challenging for experiencers and remembering it may trigger unwanted emotional or psychological reactions. If you think you may be triggered by taking this survey topic in a way that you do not wish to be then you are advised not to participate. If you do participate and are triggered by the questions you are free to withdraw at any time.
Eligibility Criteria
You are invited to participate in this survey if you fulfill all of the criteria listed below.
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You read, write, and speak English fluently.
- You have had an encounter with a mantis entity.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
We hope to publish the results of this study in a scientific journal. We may also present the results at a scientific conference or seminar.
If I require further information, who should I contact and how?
If you have any further questions which were not answered in this information sheet, please contact the researchers via email - Prof David Luke (d.p.luke@gre.ac.uk)
What the Study Entails
Participation in this study involves filling out an online survey. Please answer each question to the best of your ability. You must complete the survey in one sitting for your responses to be saved. You may skip questions, but doing so may result in your survey being withdrawn from analysis. The study may take between 20-40minutes to complete depending on the range and depth of your experiences.
By proceeding, you confirm you understand this survey is voluntary, anonymous, and that you consent to your responses being used for research purposes.
We sincerely appreciate your interest in this survey and your willingness to volunteer your time. If you have any questions, please contact project lead, Dr David Luke (d.p.luke@gre.ac.uk).
Informed Consent:
I confirm that I have read the Participant Information Sheet for this study
I confirm that I have had the opportunity to ask questions and to discuss my involvement in the research study with the research team, and (if applicable) I confirm that I have received satisfactory answers to my questions
I confirm that I have received enough information to inform my decision to participate in this research
I understand the following statements:
I understand that I have the right to withdraw without providing a reason
I understand that I can withdraw from this study at any time until such a date which I have been told, after which withdrawal is no longer possible
I understand and have been assured that if I withdraw this will not affect my future at the University (if I am or intend to become a student / staff member)
I understand that anonymised research data in which I will not be identified/identifiable may be submitted to public data archives
I consent to taking part in this study