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Astropolitics Working Group

@astropoliticswg.bsky.social

140 followers 78 following 31 posts

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

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Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Feb 10

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 👇

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

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Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · 5d

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

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Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · 20d

www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...

ABSTRACT DEADLINE TOMORROW!

Abstract Deadline: 19th September 2025, please email the AWG email [email protected] with an abstract.

Full Draft Submission Deadline: 19th October 2025.

Registration for all attendees closes on 30th October 2025.

www.bisa.ac.uk

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Sep 8

www.bisa.ac.uk/members/work...

Abstract Deadline: 19th September 2025, please email the AWG email [email protected] with an abstract.

Full Draft Submission Deadline: 19th October 2025.

Registration for all attendees closes on 30th October 2025.

www.bisa.ac.uk

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Sep 8

Formal registration link here: indico.bisa.ac.uk/event/567/re...

Third annual Astropolitics Working Group workshop

The Astropolitics Working Group (AWG) is hosting its third in-person workshop at Durham University on 9 December 2025 with the support of Durham University’s Space Research Centre (SPARC). Following o...

indico.bisa.ac.uk

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Sep 8

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...

Call for papers: Third Astropolitics Working Group workshop- Astropolitics | BISA

- Astropolitics Working Group

www.bisa.ac.uk

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Thomas Cheney @thomascheney.bsky.social · Aug 22

good piece from @astropoliticswg.bsky.social lead @bleddb.bsky.social

The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · Aug 22

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

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Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Aug 22

Analysis by our AWG Convenor @bleddb.bsky.social on some changes in the UK space sector…

Bleddyn Bowen @bleddb.bsky.social · Aug 22

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. 👇👇👇

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

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Aug 18

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...

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

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BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · Jul 30

🚨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

Call for papers: Third Astropolitics Working Group workshop- Astropolitics | BISA

- Astropolitics Working Group

buff.ly

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Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Jul 23

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...

Call for papers: Third Astropolitics Working Group workshop- Astropolitics | BISA

- Astropolitics Working Group

www.bisa.ac.uk

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Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Jun 23

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!

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Jun 11

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!

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Zoha Naser @zohanaser.bsky.social · Jun 13

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!

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Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Jun 13

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...

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

Reposted by Astropolitics Working Group

P.J. Blount @blountsfolly.bsky.social · Jun 11

We're gonna play bingo! Actual bingo! Cards and everything!

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Jun 11

Panel 4: A "NewSpace" Race? The Ultimate High Ground? Or an Orbital Wild West? The Narrative Construction of Space Power

1500-1630, Penthouse Suite, Europa Hotel, A "NewSpace" Race? The Ultimate High Ground? Or an Orbital Wild West? The Narrative Construction of Space Power

Chair: Tegan Harrison (Cardiff University)

Space Trope Bingo

Author: PJ Blount (Durham University)

Defining Success in Space: Rethinking Power Metrics and Strategic Language in the New Space Age

Author: Julia Balm (King's College London)

Ritual Interaction Chains in US-China Lunar Competition

Author: Cameron Hunter (University of Copenhagen)

Nothing new under the Sun? The “Global Space Age” approach to Astropolitics

Author: Bleddyn Bowen (Durham University)

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Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Jun 11

Roundtable: The 2024/25 Strategic Defence Review: Submissions and Reflections

Chair: Chloe Barker (Newcastle University)

Participants: Bleddyn Bowen (Durham University) , Benedict Baxendale-Smith (King's College London) , Michael Mulvihill (Teesside University) , David Dunn (University of Birmingham)

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Jun 11

Panel 4: A "NewSpace" Race? The Ultimate High Ground? Or an Orbital Wild West? The Narrative Construction of Space Power

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Jun 11

Panel 3: Middle Space Powers and Non-State Actors in Outer Space

1315-1445, Copenhagen, Europa Hotel, Middle Space Powers and Non-State Actors in Outer Space

Chair: Cameron Hunter (Copenhagen University)

Middle powers: The question of sovereign space

Author: Marissa Martin (King's College London)

International cooperation and space development: an analysis of Brazil’s partnerships in the space sector

Author: Raquel Gontijo (PUC Minas, Brazil)

European Multinationals in the African Space Industry

Authors: Samuel Oyewole (University of Pretoria, South Africa)* , Kehinde Abolarin (Liverpool John Moores University)

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Jun 11

Panel 2: Space Warfare and its Impact on Security and Governance

1045-1215, Paris, Europa Hotel: Space Warfare and its Impact on Security and Governance

Chair: Bleddyn Bowen (Durham University)

Governing international cooperation in outer space exploration

Author: Sarah-Jane Pritchard (Lancaster University)

Ballistic Encounters: Nuclear Territories in Outer Space

Author: Tegan Harrison (Cardiff University)

Secrecy or Security: The Potential Role of Information Exchange in Balancing the ‘Orbital Security Dilemma’

Author: Zoha Naser (King's College London)

The weaponisation of ‘responsibility’ in space security

Author: Haley Rice (University of St Andrews)

The Shock of the New: Hybrid Warfare, Digital Warfare and Outer Space

Author: Thomas Knight (Canterbury Christ Church University)

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Jun 11

Panel 1: Outer Space and the Challenges of Economic Interests, Environmental Distress, and Legal Disputes

0930-1030, Paris, Europa Hotel: Outer Space and the Challenges of Economic Interests, Environmental Distress, and Legal Disputes

Chair: Sarah-Jane Pritchard (Lancaster University)

On the Question of Distributive Justice for the New Space Economy

Author: Akash Barua (University of Delhi)

The ‘New’ Enterprise: Outer space security in the context of public-private interactions

Author: Jamie Winn (University of Lancaster)

Adaptation in Outer Space: Rethinking Sustainability Beyond Mitigation

Author: Scott Steele (Anglia Ruskin University)

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · Jun 11

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Atifa Jiwa @atifajiwa.bsky.social · May 28

Very excited to bring this new Astropolitics book series to the Bloomsbury Politics list, working with the brilliant @bleddb.bsky.social

Bleddyn Bowen @bleddb.bsky.social · May 22

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!

Bloomsbury Politics & Area Studies @bloomsburypol.bsky.social · May 22

🔭 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

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Bloomsbury Politics & Area Studies @bloomsburypol.bsky.social · May 22

🔭 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

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Bleddyn Bowen @bleddb.bsky.social · May 21

Went to the House of Lords on Monday to talk about UK space policy, you can watch through the link below. Hopefully made the case for needing more focus in a national UK space programme rather than wishlisting or doing strategy by listicle, and highlighted what other countries are doing in space.

Parliamentlive.tv

UK Engagement with Space Committee

parliamentlive.tv

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Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · May 16

Thank you so much for speaking to us! And good luck with your next research projects!

Reposted by Astropolitics Working Group

Fiona Cunningham @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social · May 15

Thanks to the @astropoliticswg.bsky.social for a great discussion about my book this morning/afternoon, focusing on the counterspace elements of PRC strategic deterrence!

Astropolitics Working Group @astropoliticswg.bsky.social · May 15

Thanks very much to @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social for presenting her research on Chinese approaches to deterrence and coercion, and her novel theory of Strategic Substitution, placing China's counterspace weapons in a wider context alongside other information age weapons.

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · May 15

📢We are delighted to announce that we have kicked off todays book talk with @astropoliticswg.bsky.social!

📚Today we are joined by @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social to discuss her book: "Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security"

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