
Dr Nikita Chiu
Senior Lecturer in Innovation Policy
S.Chiu@exeter.ac.uk
3490
+44 (0)1392 723490
Streatham Court 1.10
Streatham Court, University of Exeter, Rennes Drive, Exeter, EX4 4PU, UK
Overview
Dr Nikita Chiu is Senior Lecturer in Innovation Policy at the University of Exeter. In 2019, she was named Ad Astra Distinguished Fellow in Robotic and Outer Space Governance by the Space Engineering Research Center at USC. She was the Research Fellow in Robotics and Outer Space Technologies at the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford, and is a former Research Affiliate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge. An International Relations scholar by training, Dr. Chiu taught Foreign Policy and Global Governance first in Hong Kong, then in Tallinn and the UK. Prior to her career in Technology Governance, she read Technology Policy at St Edmund’s College at the University of Cambridge, and gained her PhD from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva in 2014.
Dr Chiu is a former recipient of the Ernst Mach Grant. Named after the Austrian physicist, the grant enabled the investigation of multilevel governance policy at the city, national, and international (UN) level. Dr Chiu is also a mentor for Space4Women, a network organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs(UNOOSA) to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She was selected as one of “20 under 35” future leaders to watch by the Space & Satellite Professionals International in 2019 for her work on space sustainability.
Dr Chiu’s ongoing research investigates the dynamics between technological advances and governance, with a focus on understanding the socio-economic, policy, and security impact brought by the increasing commercialization of robotics, quantum, and space technologies.
Finally, Dr Chiu's latest research interest lies in integrating and strengthening sustainability, diversity and inclusivity for high-performing/no-compromise technology sector, specifically Formula One and Formula E.
Qualifications
BSSc(CUHK), MPhil (Cantab), MA, PhD (Geneva)
FRSA FHEA
Awards and honours
- Ad Astra Distinguished Fellow in Robotic & Outer Space Governance, Space Engineering Research Center, USC
- Space & Satellite Professionals International “20 under 35” Future Leaders to Watch, 2019
- Ernst Mach Grant, OeAD/Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), 2012
Invited lectures
- "Space-based threats to peace," Pacem in Terris: War and other Obstacles to Peace, The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences/ Peace Research Institute Oslo, Casina Pio IV, Vatican City, 19-20 September 2023.
- “Removing Space Debris : Global Affairs and Technology Perspectives," Joint Lecture with Airbus and the French Embassy in the UK, The Royal Society, St James's, London, UK, 7th Dec 2018
- Presentation at the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs / Germany High-Level Forum 2018
“The way forward after UNISPACE+50 and on Space2030,” Bonn, Germany, 13-16 Nov 2018 - Presentation at the United NationsOffice for Outer Space Affairs / UAE High-Level Forum 2017
"Space as a Driver for Sustainable Development," Dubai, UAE, 6-9 Nov 2017
Links
Research
Research interests
- Governance of Emerging Technologies
- Space Sustainability & Governance
- Innovation Policy and Politics
Research networks
CA20134 - Traces as Research Agenda for Climate Change, Technology Studies, and Social Justice
COST - European Cooperation in Science & Technology
Working Group Lead for WG4 - Traces & Technology
Member of the University of Exeter's Responsible Metrics Champion Group
Research grants
- 2023 ESRC
ESRC Festival of Social Science Award - SPACE-Gov: Senses - Towards a Multi-sensorial Inclusive Space Future - 2022 Research England
SPACE-Gov: Space Sustainability and Governance - Mitigating Compounded Risks through Foresight and Futures Methods (Supported by Research England's Policy Support Fund)
Publications
Journal articles
Conferences
Reports
External Engagement and Impact
Awards/Honorary fellowships
Ad Astra Distinguished Fellow in Robotic and Outer Space Governance
Space Engineering Research Center, USC
IAS Fellow, Institute of Advanced Study/ Hatfield College Senior Common Room, Durham University 2022
University of Exeter Business School Teaching Award - Sustainable Futures (Management) 2023
Advice to Government, Parliament, devolved and English regional administrations, other national, international, regional or local agencies; advice to non-government organisations and to private practice
Member 2018 - 2019
Lib Dem Technology Commission, Convened by Prof Sue Black OBE and Jo Swinson CBE
Invited speaker on "Space-based threats to peace," Pacem in Terris: War and other Obstacles to Peace, The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences/ Peace Research Institute Oslo, Casina Pio IV, Vatican City, 19-20 September 2023.
Editorial responsibilities
Guest Editor for the Special Issue on "Technology Governance"
TalTech Journal of European Studies
Reviewer for Futures
Reviewer for Space Policy
Reviewer for International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
Reviewer for The British Journal of Politics and International Relations
Conferences and invited presentations
Speaker for the panel on "The Future of 'Earth to Earth' Space Travel: Challenges and Prospects" at Space-Comm Expo, held at Farnborough.
Fellow panelists include Paul Cremins MBE (Commercial Spaceflight Regulation and Policy Lead, UK Department for Transport), Pam Underwood (Director, Office of Spaceports, US Federal Aviation Administration), and Frank DiBello (CEO, Space Florida)
Click here for Video Highlights
External positions
External Examiner/ Assessor
University of Oxford Postgraduate Exam Boards
Evaluator
Marie Skłodowska–Curie COFUND Action - Martí Franquès COFUND Programme
Media Coverage
Interview with and coverage in the Financial Times
"High ambition as business schools launch space programmes" 30 November 2022/ 5 December 2022 (in print)
Interview with The Hive Life - Business News, Entrepreneurial Insights & Lifestyle Guides
"It's Time to Take the Trash out of Space" 22 Jan 2019
Podcast with Dr Robert Doubleday, Director of the Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP) at the University of Cambridge, Part of a six-part miniseries featuring space experts, including Dr Graham Turnock, former CEO of the UK Space Agency
"Pollution and environmental exploitation in near space, the deep ocean, and antarctica" 31 March 2021
Research funding
Ernst Mach Grant 2012
Fellowship, Institute of Advanced Study/ Hatfield College, Durham University 2022
Research England Policy Support Fund 2022-2023
ESRC Festival of Social Science Award - SPACE-Gov: Senses - Towards a Multi-sensorial Inclusive Space Future 2023
Workshops/Conferences organised
Technologies and Traces of Memories - An Exploratory Interdisciplinary Workshop on the Interplay Between Technological Advances and Memories, Exeter, 17 June 2022
Click here for workshop's programme
Teaching
Dr Chiu's research-informed teaching investigate the dynamics between technological advances and governance, with a focus on understanding the socio-economic, policy, and security impact brought by the increasing commercialization of robotics, quantum, and space technologies.Teaching Award
University of Exeter Business School Teaching Award - Sustainable Futures (Management) 2023
Exeter 2021-2022
BEMM118J Strategic Innovation Management
Oxford 2021 -
Supervision, Oxford Diplomatic Studies Programme
Tallinn 2015
China and the New World Order
Hong Kong 2014
Chinese Foreign Policy
Greater China and the World
Modules
2023/24
- BEM1034 - Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- BEMM263 - Innovation and Technology Policy
- BEP3171 - The Economy of Space
- BEPM009 - Strategic Innovation for Sustainable Business