Astropolitics Working Group
@astropoliticswg.bsky.social
We are the Astropolitics Working Group at the British International Studies Association (BISA). We are a group of mostly Politics/IR scholars focusing on or interested in space politics/security and adjacent fields. Webpage: https://tinyurl.com/yj7z3t3c
Pinned
Astropolitics
The Astropolitics Working Group brings together scholars working on the politics of outer space. In this nascent field, we support, develop, and enrich research in studying the international politics ...
www.bisa.ac.uk
Hello! We are finally on BlueSky. We are a group of 100+ members of @mybisa.bsky.social who research the international political aspects of space and its adjacent sub-disciplines (e.g. history, law, political theory). Convened by @bleddb.bsky.social and Sarah Lieberman. Find out more 👇
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Volunteer convenors needed - We need two volunteers to co-convene the AWG for the next 2-4 years and take the AWG into its next era!
Please get in touch if you have any queries or would like to register your interest.
astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk
Volunteer convenors needed - We need two volunteers to co-convene the AWG for the next 2-4 years and take the AWG into its next era!
Please get in touch if you have any queries or would like to register your interest.
astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk
BISA
The British International Studies Association is a learned society that promotes the study of international relations and related subjects through teaching, research, and facilitation of contact betwe...
bisa.ac.uk
February 9, 2026 at 1:37 PM
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Volunteer convenors needed - We need two volunteers to co-convene the AWG for the next 2-4 years and take the AWG into its next era!
Please get in touch if you have any queries or would like to register your interest.
astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk
Volunteer convenors needed - We need two volunteers to co-convene the AWG for the next 2-4 years and take the AWG into its next era!
Please get in touch if you have any queries or would like to register your interest.
astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk
BISA Annual Prizes!
Nominations open for BISA annual prizes - please have a look at the prize nominations page and make any nominations you'd like for awards at this year's conference: www.bisa.ac.uk/members/prizes
Nominations open for BISA annual prizes - please have a look at the prize nominations page and make any nominations you'd like for awards at this year's conference: www.bisa.ac.uk/members/prizes
Prizes
Here you'll find information about all our annual prizes including the Michael Nicholson thesis prize, the Susan Strange best book prize and the L.H.M. Ling outstanding first book prize.
www.bisa.ac.uk
February 9, 2026 at 1:36 PM
BISA Annual Prizes!
Nominations open for BISA annual prizes - please have a look at the prize nominations page and make any nominations you'd like for awards at this year's conference: www.bisa.ac.uk/members/prizes
Nominations open for BISA annual prizes - please have a look at the prize nominations page and make any nominations you'd like for awards at this year's conference: www.bisa.ac.uk/members/prizes
More news and Events!
BISA Annual Conference 2026 - Brighton - Registrations are now open! All information and programme here: conference.bisa.ac.uk
BISA Annual Conference 2026 - Brighton - Registrations are now open! All information and programme here: conference.bisa.ac.uk
Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions
The BISA conference is renowned for being inclusive, diverse and friendly. We bring together a worldwide community of specialists to discuss, promote and develop international studies.
conference.bisa.ac.uk
February 9, 2026 at 1:35 PM
More news and Events!
BISA Annual Conference 2026 - Brighton - Registrations are now open! All information and programme here: conference.bisa.ac.uk
BISA Annual Conference 2026 - Brighton - Registrations are now open! All information and programme here: conference.bisa.ac.uk
Next online event! 'Holding up the skies: is Starlink occupying low Earth orbit?' with Mia Bennett and Zachary Cudney, 16:00-17:00 UK time, 12th May 2026. Via Zoom - free and open to all, but registration required. Register and full event details here: www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
Holding up the skies: is Starlink occupying low Earth orbit?- Astropolitics | BISA
- Astropolitics Working Group
www.bisa.ac.uk
February 9, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Next online event! 'Holding up the skies: is Starlink occupying low Earth orbit?' with Mia Bennett and Zachary Cudney, 16:00-17:00 UK time, 12th May 2026. Via Zoom - free and open to all, but registration required. Register and full event details here: www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
Online event! Research Presentation: ‘Empire of the stars—not yet? China as a ‘partial’ great power in space’ with Dimitrios Stroikos. 14:00-15:00 UK time, 26th March 2026. Via Zoom - free, but registration required. Register and full event details here: www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
Research presentation: ‘Empire of the stars—not yet? China as a ‘partial’ great power in space’- Astropolitics | BISA
- Astropolitics Working Group
www.bisa.ac.uk
February 9, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Online event! Research Presentation: ‘Empire of the stars—not yet? China as a ‘partial’ great power in space’ with Dimitrios Stroikos. 14:00-15:00 UK time, 26th March 2026. Via Zoom - free, but registration required. Register and full event details here: www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
Reposted by Astropolitics Working Group
📢We have kicked off todays @astropoliticswg.bsky.social workshop at Durham University!
☄️We started the day with an introduction on the intersection between space and international politics from James Osborne, director of Durham's Space Research Centre (SPARC)
🪡Follow this thread for more
☄️We started the day with an introduction on the intersection between space and international politics from James Osborne, director of Durham's Space Research Centre (SPARC)
🪡Follow this thread for more
December 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
📢We have kicked off todays @astropoliticswg.bsky.social workshop at Durham University!
☄️We started the day with an introduction on the intersection between space and international politics from James Osborne, director of Durham's Space Research Centre (SPARC)
🪡Follow this thread for more
☄️We started the day with an introduction on the intersection between space and international politics from James Osborne, director of Durham's Space Research Centre (SPARC)
🪡Follow this thread for more
Reposted by Astropolitics Working Group
off to Durham for the @mybisa.bsky.social @astropoliticswg.bsky.social workshop! Looking forward to a day of discussing space and hopefully a reasonably positive reaction to the draft of chapter 2 of my book!
December 9, 2025 at 8:09 AM
off to Durham for the @mybisa.bsky.social @astropoliticswg.bsky.social workshop! Looking forward to a day of discussing space and hopefully a reasonably positive reaction to the draft of chapter 2 of my book!
We are looking forward to our 3rd In-Person Workshop tomorrow, kindly hosted by the Space Research Centre at @durham.ac.uk and supported by @mybisa.bsky.social
*good weather not guaranteed, though it is lovely in Durham today!
*good weather not guaranteed, though it is lovely in Durham today!
December 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
We are looking forward to our 3rd In-Person Workshop tomorrow, kindly hosted by the Space Research Centre at @durham.ac.uk and supported by @mybisa.bsky.social
*good weather not guaranteed, though it is lovely in Durham today!
*good weather not guaranteed, though it is lovely in Durham today!
Gentle reminder that you can submit a paper, panel or roundtable for consideration by the Astropolitics Working Group for the BISA Conference 2026 being held in Brighton on 3rd-5th June.
The deadline for submissions is Monday 3rd November 2025 at 11:59hrs.
conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
The deadline for submissions is Monday 3rd November 2025 at 11:59hrs.
conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
Call for papers
The call for papers for the BISA 2026 conference taking place in Brighton in June 2026.
conference.bisa.ac.uk
October 29, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Gentle reminder that you can submit a paper, panel or roundtable for consideration by the Astropolitics Working Group for the BISA Conference 2026 being held in Brighton on 3rd-5th June.
The deadline for submissions is Monday 3rd November 2025 at 11:59hrs.
conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
The deadline for submissions is Monday 3rd November 2025 at 11:59hrs.
conference.bisa.ac.uk/call-papers-0
Many thanks to Xavier Pasco for delivering our 3rd Annual Lecture - we had some great insights on the changes (and continuities) in US-European space industries, and what this all means for policy and international power politics. Thanks to our guests for tuning in!
📣🛰️We have kicked off @astropoliticswg.bsky.social 3rd #virtual annual lecture this year with Dr Xavier Pasco director of the Foundation for Strategic Research.
👉The lecture is titled "Space as a 21st century mixed economy: An old concept for a new space"
👉The lecture is titled "Space as a 21st century mixed economy: An old concept for a new space"
October 21, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Many thanks to Xavier Pasco for delivering our 3rd Annual Lecture - we had some great insights on the changes (and continuities) in US-European space industries, and what this all means for policy and international power politics. Thanks to our guests for tuning in!
SIX postdoc jobs (!) going at the new Leverhulme Centre for Space and Humanity at the University of Leicester, directed by @andrewfutter.bsky.social If you're in the social sciences/humanities and working on outer space, have a look!
Research Associate in Humanity and Space in Leicester | University of Leicester Recruitment Team
View details and apply for this Research Associate in Humanity and Space vacancy in Leicester.
The Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space (LCHS), based at Space Park Leicester, is seeking up to...
jobs.le.ac.uk
October 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
SIX postdoc jobs (!) going at the new Leverhulme Centre for Space and Humanity at the University of Leicester, directed by @andrewfutter.bsky.social If you're in the social sciences/humanities and working on outer space, have a look!
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
ABSTRACT DEADLINE TOMORROW!
Abstract Deadline: 19th September 2025, please email the AWG email astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk with an abstract.
Full Draft Submission Deadline: 19th October 2025.
Registration for all attendees closes on 30th October 2025.
ABSTRACT DEADLINE TOMORROW!
Abstract Deadline: 19th September 2025, please email the AWG email astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk with an abstract.
Full Draft Submission Deadline: 19th October 2025.
Registration for all attendees closes on 30th October 2025.
www.bisa.ac.uk
September 18, 2025 at 9:10 AM
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
ABSTRACT DEADLINE TOMORROW!
Abstract Deadline: 19th September 2025, please email the AWG email astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk with an abstract.
Full Draft Submission Deadline: 19th October 2025.
Registration for all attendees closes on 30th October 2025.
ABSTRACT DEADLINE TOMORROW!
Abstract Deadline: 19th September 2025, please email the AWG email astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk with an abstract.
Full Draft Submission Deadline: 19th October 2025.
Registration for all attendees closes on 30th October 2025.
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
Abstract Deadline: 19th September 2025, please email the AWG email astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk with an abstract.
Full Draft Submission Deadline: 19th October 2025.
Registration for all attendees closes on 30th October 2025.
Abstract Deadline: 19th September 2025, please email the AWG email astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk with an abstract.
Full Draft Submission Deadline: 19th October 2025.
Registration for all attendees closes on 30th October 2025.
www.bisa.ac.uk
September 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
Abstract Deadline: 19th September 2025, please email the AWG email astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk with an abstract.
Full Draft Submission Deadline: 19th October 2025.
Registration for all attendees closes on 30th October 2025.
Abstract Deadline: 19th September 2025, please email the AWG email astropolitics.group@bisa.ac.uk with an abstract.
Full Draft Submission Deadline: 19th October 2025.
Registration for all attendees closes on 30th October 2025.
Reminder that deadlines for our December in-person AWG Workshop are approaching:
19 Sep: Abstracts for those wishing to present papers
19 Oct: Paper submission for discussant
30 Oct: Final registration for all attendees, including non-presenters
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
19 Sep: Abstracts for those wishing to present papers
19 Oct: Paper submission for discussant
30 Oct: Final registration for all attendees, including non-presenters
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
Call for papers: Third Astropolitics Working Group workshop- Astropolitics | BISA
- Astropolitics Working Group
www.bisa.ac.uk
September 8, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Reminder that deadlines for our December in-person AWG Workshop are approaching:
19 Sep: Abstracts for those wishing to present papers
19 Oct: Paper submission for discussant
30 Oct: Final registration for all attendees, including non-presenters
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
19 Sep: Abstracts for those wishing to present papers
19 Oct: Paper submission for discussant
30 Oct: Final registration for all attendees, including non-presenters
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
Reposted by Astropolitics Working Group
good piece from @astropoliticswg.bsky.social lead @bleddb.bsky.social
The agency has been the subject of some criticism and some aspects of the new arrangement could be positive.
The UK Space Agency has been absorbed into the science department. The potential effects are still unclear
The agency has been the subject of some criticism and some aspects of the new arrangement could be positive.
tcnv.link
August 22, 2025 at 7:02 AM
good piece from @astropoliticswg.bsky.social lead @bleddb.bsky.social
Analysis by our AWG Convenor @bleddb.bsky.social on some changes in the UK space sector…
No, UK Government is not scrapping its space programmes.
There’s been some confusion and bungled communications over the musical chairs in civil space policy and the UK Space Agency this week. It all matters less than the chronic lack of focus and leadership from UK Government for 15 years. 👇👇👇
There’s been some confusion and bungled communications over the musical chairs in civil space policy and the UK Space Agency this week. It all matters less than the chronic lack of focus and leadership from UK Government for 15 years. 👇👇👇
The UK Space Agency has been absorbed into the science department. The potential effects are still unclear
The agency has been the subject of some criticism and some aspects of the new arrangement could be positive.
theconversation.com
August 22, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Analysis by our AWG Convenor @bleddb.bsky.social on some changes in the UK space sector…
Registration is now open for our next two confirmed AWG @mybisa.bsky.social events!
1. 3rd Annual AWG Lecture with Dr Xavier Pasco, 21st October 2025 (online) www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
2. 3rd AWG In-Person Workshop, 9th December 2025 (at Durham University, UK) www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
1. 3rd Annual AWG Lecture with Dr Xavier Pasco, 21st October 2025 (online) www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
2. 3rd AWG In-Person Workshop, 9th December 2025 (at Durham University, UK) www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
a woman sitting in a chair with the words there 's coffee in that nebula below her
Alt: Captain Janeway: "There's coffee in that nebula."
media.tenor.com
August 18, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Registration is now open for our next two confirmed AWG @mybisa.bsky.social events!
1. 3rd Annual AWG Lecture with Dr Xavier Pasco, 21st October 2025 (online) www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
2. 3rd AWG In-Person Workshop, 9th December 2025 (at Durham University, UK) www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
1. 3rd Annual AWG Lecture with Dr Xavier Pasco, 21st October 2025 (online) www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
2. 3rd AWG In-Person Workshop, 9th December 2025 (at Durham University, UK) www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
Reposted by Astropolitics Working Group
🚨Call for papers for the Third @astropoliticswg.bsky.social workshop
Hosting its third in-person workshop at @durham-university.bsky.social
on 9 December with the support of Durham's Space Research Centre Astropolitics is looking for abstracts! 🌟
Submit here - buff.ly/rUDOWd3
@bleddb.bsky.social
Hosting its third in-person workshop at @durham-university.bsky.social
on 9 December with the support of Durham's Space Research Centre Astropolitics is looking for abstracts! 🌟
Submit here - buff.ly/rUDOWd3
@bleddb.bsky.social
Call for papers: Third Astropolitics Working Group workshop- Astropolitics | BISA
- Astropolitics Working Group
buff.ly
July 30, 2025 at 2:01 PM
🚨Call for papers for the Third @astropoliticswg.bsky.social workshop
Hosting its third in-person workshop at @durham-university.bsky.social
on 9 December with the support of Durham's Space Research Centre Astropolitics is looking for abstracts! 🌟
Submit here - buff.ly/rUDOWd3
@bleddb.bsky.social
Hosting its third in-person workshop at @durham-university.bsky.social
on 9 December with the support of Durham's Space Research Centre Astropolitics is looking for abstracts! 🌟
Submit here - buff.ly/rUDOWd3
@bleddb.bsky.social
Delighted to announce the call for papers for our 3rd AWG In-Person Workshop, this time at Durham University, on 9th December 2025. Details below - open to BISA members only.
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
Call for papers: Third Astropolitics Working Group workshop- Astropolitics | BISA
- Astropolitics Working Group
www.bisa.ac.uk
July 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Delighted to announce the call for papers for our 3rd AWG In-Person Workshop, this time at Durham University, on 9th December 2025. Details below - open to BISA members only.
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...
Thanks so much to everyone who made it to Belfast last week for #BISA2025 @mybisa.bsky.social - we had a great time and it was good to catch up to everyone. Happy 50th birthday to BISA!
Very much looking forward to @mybisa.bsky.social 's 50th Anniversary (!) Conference in Belfast next week! The Astropolitics Working Group (AWG) has 4 panels and a roundtable on the Strategic Defence Review - details for each are in the thread below. All on Day 1 - an unofficial AWG mini-conference!
June 23, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Thanks so much to everyone who made it to Belfast last week for #BISA2025 @mybisa.bsky.social - we had a great time and it was good to catch up to everyone. Happy 50th birthday to BISA!
Reposted by Astropolitics Working Group
Next week I'll be heading to my first ever academic conference at #BISA2025! 🥳
I'll be presenting on info exchange in space at an @astropoliticswg.bsky.social panel, and on state-sponsored attacks on nuclear facilities.
Thank you to @mybisa.bsky.social for the opportunity, SO excited!
I'll be presenting on info exchange in space at an @astropoliticswg.bsky.social panel, and on state-sponsored attacks on nuclear facilities.
Thank you to @mybisa.bsky.social for the opportunity, SO excited!
June 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Next week I'll be heading to my first ever academic conference at #BISA2025! 🥳
I'll be presenting on info exchange in space at an @astropoliticswg.bsky.social panel, and on state-sponsored attacks on nuclear facilities.
Thank you to @mybisa.bsky.social for the opportunity, SO excited!
I'll be presenting on info exchange in space at an @astropoliticswg.bsky.social panel, and on state-sponsored attacks on nuclear facilities.
Thank you to @mybisa.bsky.social for the opportunity, SO excited!
Congrats to one of our AWG members, Sarah Dunn, for publishing a short piece for CSS at ETH Zurich on Nudol, a Russian anti-satellite weapon system. Read here (along with other interesting items on Russia's space sector): 👇
css.ethz.ch/en/publicati...
css.ethz.ch/en/publicati...
No. 328: Russian Space Sector
The issue analyzes Russian space activities and the Russian space sector. Florian Vidal looks into
Russia’s space cooperation with North Korea, which impacts the strategic balance of the Korean
Penins...
css.ethz.ch
June 13, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Congrats to one of our AWG members, Sarah Dunn, for publishing a short piece for CSS at ETH Zurich on Nudol, a Russian anti-satellite weapon system. Read here (along with other interesting items on Russia's space sector): 👇
css.ethz.ch/en/publicati...
css.ethz.ch/en/publicati...
Reposted by Astropolitics Working Group
We're gonna play bingo! Actual bingo! Cards and everything!
Panel 4: A "NewSpace" Race? The Ultimate High Ground? Or an Orbital Wild West? The Narrative Construction of Space Power
June 11, 2025 at 10:33 AM
We're gonna play bingo! Actual bingo! Cards and everything!
Very much looking forward to @mybisa.bsky.social 's 50th Anniversary (!) Conference in Belfast next week! The Astropolitics Working Group (AWG) has 4 panels and a roundtable on the Strategic Defence Review - details for each are in the thread below. All on Day 1 - an unofficial AWG mini-conference!
June 11, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Very much looking forward to @mybisa.bsky.social 's 50th Anniversary (!) Conference in Belfast next week! The Astropolitics Working Group (AWG) has 4 panels and a roundtable on the Strategic Defence Review - details for each are in the thread below. All on Day 1 - an unofficial AWG mini-conference!
Reposted by Astropolitics Working Group
Very excited to bring this new Astropolitics book series to the Bloomsbury Politics list, working with the brilliant @bleddb.bsky.social
Exciting times indeed. Get in touch if you have a monograph on astropolitics in mind! Thanks to @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social for getting behind the idea of an Astropolitics book series!
🔭 Keep your eye out for this new #Astropolitics series edited by @bleddb.bsky.social coming later this year!
Details here 👉 bit.ly/4drqhlh
#Politics #OuterSpace
Details here 👉 bit.ly/4drqhlh
#Politics #OuterSpace
May 28, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Very excited to bring this new Astropolitics book series to the Bloomsbury Politics list, working with the brilliant @bleddb.bsky.social