Dr. Nikita Chiu
Nikita began her career in technology governance with a business degree in Technology Policy from the University of Cambridge, after having previously taught Foreign Policy and Global Governance upon completion of her Ph.D. in International Relations from The Graduate Institute in Geneva. She worked as the Research Fellow in Robotics and Space Technologies at the University of Oxford and was an Affiliate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge. While at Oxford, Nikita led the Robotics and Outer Space Governance programs and developed new approaches to engaging the diplomatic circle, governments, industry and academia to produce timely governance advice for both national and international actors. She currently advises on Robotic and Outer Space Governance at the Space Engineering Research Center, where she was chosen as the 2019 Ad Astra Distinguished Fellow. Nikita is one of the first researchers working in global space governance and space sustainability to bring together insights from business, management, innovation policy and global affairs all at once. This diversity of voices has allowed her to consistently promote intersectoral dialogues among industry, academic and government stakeholders, allowing all concerns to be addressed in a timely fashion.
Nikita is currently developing an interdisciplinary and multisectoral project for the year 2020, with the goal of bringing together technical experts, industry actors, academics and policymakers from national, regional and international entities to brainstorm and devise a way to advance the sustainable expansion of the space sector. She has previously been invited to address at numerous prestigious forums, including the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs High-Level Forum, on space debris removal and other sustainability topics. Outside of work, Nikita volunteers her time by connecting industry actors with the wider space community and exploring potential intersectoral projects.
