Colin Andrews

Early Research and Terminology

Colin Andrews is a British electrical engineer and researcher who became the central figure in crop circle investigation beginning in 1983 when he reported observing an unexplained crop formation near his home in Hampshire. Recognizing the need for systematic study, Andrews coined the term "crop circle" to describe the phenomenon—a terminology now universally adopted. In 1984, he founded Circles Phenomenon Research (CPR), the first organization dedicated exclusively to documenting and investigating crop formations, establishing the foundational methodology for field research that continues today.

Government and Royal Recognition

Andrews' work attracted significant attention from institutional authorities. For three years during the late 1980s, he served as a consultant to the Margaret Thatcher cabinet, providing technical and scientific reports to the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Nicholas Ridley). This governmental advisory role reflected the seriousness with which British officials treated the phenomenon at the time. His credibility was further validated when Queen Elizabeth II selected his 1989 co-authored book, "Circular Evidence" (with Pat Delgado), for her prestigious Summer Reading List—the first time a crop circle study had been so honored. The Duke of Edinburgh also demonstrated interest, reportedly subscribing to Andrews' research newsletter.

Documentation and Investigation

Andrews compiled what he claims is "the largest database in the world" on crop circle formations, meticulously documenting thousands of reports since 1983. In 1990, he supervised Operation Blackbird, described as the largest surveillance project of its kind at that time, deploying monitoring equipment across the English countryside to capture evidence of crop formation creation. Through two years of intensive investigation into hoaxing patterns, Andrews estimated that approximately 80% of crop circles are human-made, a pragmatic assessment that positioned him between true believers and complete skeptics. This nuance—acknowledging both genuine phenomena and widespread deception—became central to his research philosophy.

Wider Influence and Consciousness Hypothesis

Andrews' public profile expanded significantly through media appearances and film consultation. He served as chief consultant and appeared in the influential documentary "Undeniable Evidence," and provided critical information and photographs for Mel Gibson's 2002 film "Signs," which brought crop circle imagery to mainstream cinema audiences. He co-authored "Crop Circles: Signs of Contact" (2003) with New York Times bestselling author Steve Spignesi, presenting a comprehensive catalog of formations recorded between 1983 and 2003 alongside theoretical frameworks for their origin. Beyond crop circles themselves, Andrews developed a broader hypothesis linking the phenomenon to consciousness expansion and human evolution. He contends that the phenomenon represents an intelligence "interacting with both crop circle researchers and many of the people who make them," and that it challenges humanity "to a higher level of consciousness." Andrews has stated that the phenomenon indicates a future period of human chaos that can be altered through collective human awareness—positioning crop circles not merely as a physical mystery but as a consciousness-related message.