xenologists

Xenologists are researchers who study extraterrestrial life and alien cultures, behavior, communication, and societal structures. The term xenology is derived from Greek xenos, meaning strange or foreign, and -logia, meaning study.

In practice, the field overlaps with astrobiology, anthropology, linguistics, and cognitive science. Subfields commonly associated with xenology include xenobiology (the biology of aliens), xenolinguistics (alien languages and communication), xenocultural anthropology (alien societies), and xenopsychology (alien minds and behavior). Researchers may analyze theoretical models, hypothetical case studies of human–alien contact, and, where possible, real-world signals or artifacts. The study is largely speculative and places emphasis on ethical considerations, such as non-interference, preventing cultural contamination, and informed consent.

History and usage: The term is more prevalent in science fiction and speculative discourse than as a formal academic discipline. Some scholars employ xenology as a comparative framework within astrobiology or anthropology to discuss potential interactions with extraterrestrial intelligences and to explore how humans might study, interpret, or communicate with nonhuman minds.

See also: xenobiology, exobiology, astrobiology, xenolinguistics.