Greg Goins JMS’11 has spent the past two years working on his book, “UFOs & UAPs For Dummies,” which will be published in December as part of the iconic “For Dummies” series. The SC&I alumnus said his book provides “a comprehensive overview of the UFO phenomenon that covers everything from politics and pop culture to science and religion.”
The book is available to pre-order now, in late October. This seems especially fitting given the famous Halloween Eve in 1938, when “The Mercury Theatre on the Air” (which specialized in live radio adaptations of classic literature) used its regular CBS Radio slot to tell a “spooky story.” Orson Welles broadcast “War of the Worlds,” adapting the science fiction novel to make it sound as though journalists were reporting live about a Martian landing in New Jersey. Some listeners who tuned in late missed the opening disclaimer that it was a fictional drama, and many panicked thinking it was real news.
Goins discusses this broadcast in his book, and the impact it had on how people view the possibility of extraterrestrials. “Governments and scientific studies have pointed to the panic from the broadcast as a case study for how society might react to the news of E.T. contact,” he said.
Goins does not claim that aliens are coming to Earth, nor does he rule it out. But his conclusion on UFOs is simple. “UFOs and UAPs are real,” he said. UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) is the official updated term used by the U.S. government and military to replace UFO (Unidentified Flying Object). “They’ve existed since humans walked upright out of the proverbial cave and tried to make sense of the universe around them,” Goins said.
His research focuses on the discourse around UFOs and the most notable sightings, largely based on governmental evidence. “Over the last several years, the government has held hearings, passed legislation, and created new programs to investigate UFOs,” Goins explained. He said that figures like the director of the CIA, secretary of state, and even former U.S. President Barack Obama have made statements acknowledging that there are “objects in the skies” that they don’t completely understand.
There’s so much misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding UFOs, and people don’t know where to turn for accessible, trustworthy information. That’s why I decided to team up with For Dummies—the #1 reference series in the world—to bring readers reliable information on one of humanity’s most fascinating and mysterious topics.
Greg Goins JMS'11
The skills he learned during his time at SC&I helped him approach his research process and sift through all of the information and misinformation surrounding this topic. He said that SC&I is where he was taught to find accurate sources, verify facts, and identify bias in how information is presented.
These skills are especially important for a topic like this, when even information from the government can be skewed. “The U.S. government has done many studies on UFOs and UAPs,” Goins said. “Yet when they release the results, they often misrepresent information to discourage public fascination.”
Beyond just skills, several former SC&I faculty members also had a huge impact on Goins. He said Benjamin Davis first made him realize how much bias is in the news. “He taught me to look past the prejudice in reporting and focus on the facts,” Goins said.
Reflecting on what he learned from JMS classes taught by Isra Ali and Elizabeth Fuerst, he said, “Their genuine belief in my abilities stuck with me and gave me confidence to pursue this field long after I graduated.”
Between the lessons, skills, and relationships he built, Goins’ time as a JMS major has an enduring impact on his life’s work. “I’ve been amazed and humbled at how the value of my SC&I education has only grown since I graduated in 2011,” he said. “Although it took me years to contribute to the field, I’ve used the tools I gained at Rutgers in every professional stop along the way.”
“UFOs & UAPs For Dummies” will be published on December 8, 2026 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.
