Education Activities

Contributing to a stronger, better connected, and more efficient education ecosystem in Europe.

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Overview

“The future of the European space sector and its capacity to innovate strongly relies on an education ecosystem able to nurture and retain talent and a skilled workforce.” Understanding this, Education remains a cornerstone of the European Space Policy Institute’s (ESPI) mission, reinforced in our strategic agenda as defined in “ESPI2040: Space for Prosperity, Peace and Future Generations“.

Unlocking the full spectrum of European space capabilities requires the adaptation of the space education system to the rapidly changing needs of the space sector and its integration into other sectors and policies.

It requires experts across fields, such as engineers and scientists, but also increasingly experts in economics, law, social and political sciences, and strategists with a holistic view.

It requires the seamless integration of the space sector into schooling and academia, to attract and develop European and global talent early on.

It requires the creation of a strong European space and entrepreneurial culture, including and beyond the inspiring image of astronaut as a profession, acting as a catalyst for space education.

ESPI addresses these challenges and contributes to a stronger, better connected, and more efficient education ecosystem in Europe through three lines of activities.

Highlights

ESPI’s First Youth Workshop

Read more here.

ESPI’s Inaugural Summer School

Read more here.

Regular Activities

As part of its Education Portfolio, ESPI maintains a series of regular activities including:

Student & Young Professionals Essay Competition

As part of its annual Autumn Conference, every year ESPI’s Essay Competition invites students and young professionals to participate in an essay competition on the topic of the conference. The winning authors are invited to present their work at the event and get the opportunity to exchange and network with high-level stakeholders from the European and international Space ecosystem.

Annual Summer School

ESPI’s Space Policy Summer School is an annual space policy training programme, with the first edition taking place in collaboration with European Forum Alpbach in 2024. The main objectives of the summer school are to:

  • Provide detailed, impactful training on space policy and strategy;
  • Nurture an interest in the space sector for young and established professionals;
  • Raise awareness of the importance of space in addressing wider societal issues; and
  • Facilitate a connection/networking point between space and non-space sector professionals.

ESPI Education Partners

ESPI has established partnerships with several universities and research institutes worldwide, either through hosting workshops, delivering lectures to students, or undertaking joint research, amongst other activities.

This list is continually growing as we seek to foster further collaborations. Stay tuned for more information about our partnerships.

Stay Connected

  • If you are an organization or university interested in partnering with ESPI, or you are a student further interested in ESPI’s Education Portfolio, please reach out to ESPI Research Fellow Bianca Santi at: <bianca.santi@espi.or.at>.
  • If you are interested in ESPI’s workshops for younger age groups (<18), or in partnering with us to host one with your school or institution, please reach out to ESPI Research Fellow, Laura Corbett at: <laura.corbett@espi.or.at>.
  • If you would like to learn more or have questions about ESPI’s Space Policy Summer School, please reach out to ESPI Research Fellow, Elizaveta Shashkova at: <elizaveta.shashkova@espi.or.at>.