Analyse, evaluate and communicate public policy for outer space activities. Write a Space Policy Brief on a focus area of your choice. Physical attendance is required. Location: Inverness, Scotland.
Duration
10 weeks
Weekly study
7 – 10 hours
Location
Inverness
Certification
Digital
Decisions about the future use of space, the laws to govern and jobs to be created are being made now and will have long-lasting effects on the future politics of Earth. To make these decisions (policies), governments (policymakers) typically rely on information from the public and private sectors. Policymakers often work under tight deadlines and high workloads, therefore the Policy Brief has become a common tool to help influence decision-making on key issues.
Over 10 weeks, you will gain practical skills and analytical frameworks to help make meaningful and informed space policy recommendations, and develop a Policy Brief of your own on an issue of your choosing e.g. Space Debris Mitigation, Space Appropriation, Space Sustainability, Widening Participation in Space, Planetary Protection and Equal Employment Opportunities.
As the new rules of New Space are being written now, this course will include current affairs, global case studies and cohort discussions. Traditional economic decision-making principles and tools are introduced, therefore no prior learning is required to start this course.
This course is recommended for anyone with an interest in influencing space governance or developing public policy analysis skills.
Please note: This course requires in-person attendance (Inverness, Scotland). Sessions will not be recorded and 80% attendance is required to receive the course certificate. An online version of this course is available here.
- MODULE ONE: Welcome! Get to know each other, understand the 7 stages of the policy cycle and explore current tensions in space policy.
- MODULE TWO: Goals of public policy and its effect on society and markets.
- MODULES THREE & FOUR: Different tools to analyse and interpret data for responsible space policymaking.
- MODULE FIVE & SIX: Economic theory for strategic decision making and space policy formation.
- MODULE SEVEN: Anti-corruption and widening representation in space policymaking.
- MODULE EIGHT: Astropolitics and challenges with policy adoption and implementation.
- MODULE NINE: Peer coaching session – present your draft policy brief in 5 minutes and receive instant feedback and support from the rest of your cohort.
- MODULE TEN: Policy monitoring and evaluation.
- MINI-PROJECT (OPTIONAL): Throughout the course, you will build your own Space Policy Brief, based on existing research and with a focus on an issue of your choice.
February 2025 Course Dates
Date: 26 February – 14 May 2025 (no classes 9 & 16 April)
Day: Every Wednesday, for 10 classes
Time: 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Location: Centre of Astrosociology, Solasta House, Inverness Campus, Inverness IV2 5NA
- This course is 100% in-person delivery, using text, diagrams and videos.
- A weekly teaching session will give you a chance to ask any questions and meet other members of your cohort. This is typically held mid-week, evening time (UK). 80% attendance is required to receive your certificate.
- You can also use the online forums to ask questions and chat with other members of your cohort.
- Modules are released on a weekly basis, to be completed in your own time.
- Learning materials will be provided online and available as a PDF download.
- Real-world case studies, research and space policies are used throughout.
No prior learning is required for this course.
The course is currently delivered in simple English. Any technical terminology used as part of the course, will be explained.
Assessment is ongoing and includes weekly quizzes and an optional mini project.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of competence issued by the Centre of Astrosociology. File is provided in PDF format, A4, for you to print.
Helen Rankin is an astrosociologist with a focus on social and economic legacy of outer space activities.
