Harvard physicist Avi Loeb leads new government UAP science council

Harvard University Professor Avi Loeb announced the formation of a multidisciplinary UAP Science Advisory Council in June 2026 to provide scientific guidance to a new interagency UAP Governance Board ^[1][2].

The council is designed to help the U.S. government resolve the nature of unidentified anomalous phenomena and determine if these sightings are new discoveries or national security threats ^[2].

Formation of the UAP Science Advisory Council

The council consists of 12 researchers specializing in fields including astrophysics, molecular biology, psychology, and oceanography ^[1][2]. Members include Professor Carol Cleland, Dr. Richard Cloete, Dr. Omer Eldadi, retired Navy Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Ross Howard, Ben Lamm, Dr. Devesh Nandal, Professor Garry Nolan, Dr. Michael Shermer, Dr. Peter Skafish, Professor Matthew Szydagis, and Dr. Jennice Vilhauer ^[1][2].

The group reports to the UAP Governance Board, an interagency body established by the Department of Defense, the FBI, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) ^[1][2]. According to an ODNI official, the board coordinates military, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies to address UAP-related national security threats ^[2].

The council's meeting cadence had not been determined at the time of its announcement in June 2026 ^[1][2].com on July 1 ^[7]. Loeb stated that all data shared with the science council will be unclassified ^[1][2].

The Trump Administration's Disclosure Initiative

This scientific layer follows a February 2026 directive from President Donald Trump instructing the Defense Secretary and other agencies to identify and release government files related to UAP and extraterrestrial life ^[1][2].

Under this initiative, the government released three batches of UAP files on May 8, May 22, and June 12, 2026 ^[1][2]. The Governance Board is tasked with assisting in the timely coordination of these declassifications in accordance with Executive Order 13526, which governs classified national security information ^[2].

Reports on the Governance Board's start date vary. Liberation Times reported the first meeting occurred on June 15, while DefenseScoop reported it took place on June 16 ^[11]. A separate report cited by UAPRAD listed the date as June 17 ^[11].

Unresolved Anomalies in Recent Government Reports

The council's work involves analyzing data such as a June 5, 2026 report signed by AARO Director Jon Kosloski ^[1][2]. That document describes sightings in October 2023 where law enforcement officials observed an orange "mother" orb launching smaller red orbs ^[1][2]. Loeb noted that approximately 40% of the phenomena in that report remain unresolved ^[1][2].

Other government releases include a 2026 report detailing federal agents who witnessed a matte black triangular craft ^[5]. The document describes the object as having a 13- to 15-foot wingspan and performing fluid turns at fighter-jet-like speeds without producing sound or exhaust plumes ^[5].

Loeb described the process of interpreting this data as a "detective story that can be resolved with better data" ^[2]. He argued that if such objects are adversarial technologies, they represent a breach of U.S. defenses, adding, "We will make the best lemonade out of the lemons we are given" ^[2].

What we don't know

• What are the specific formal charters and authorities governing the UAP Governance Board and the Science Advisory Council?
• Which specific scientific recommendations from the council have been adopted by the government to date?
• What criteria were used to select the twelve council members over other candidates in the UAP research community?