University of Exeter Business School

Dr Nikita Chiu

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

Links

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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

SPACE-Gov: Space Sustainability and Governance - Mitigating Compounded Risks through Foresight and Futures Methods

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)

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Publications

Journal articles

Chiu N (2023). Orbis Non Sufficit - Co-operation and Discord in Global Space and Disarmament Governance. Hague Journal of Diplomacy Abstract.
Chiu N (2019). Cities & International Policy Diffusion: the Case of Tokyo. Baltic Journal of European Studies, 9(2), 61-74. Abstract.
Chiu SW (2019). Promoting international co-operation in the age of global space governance – a study on on-orbit servicing operations. Acta Astronautica, 161, 375-381.
Chiu N (2011). NETWORKED CITIES' RESPONSES TO GLOBAL PROBLEMS: a TYPOLOGY. Journal of Comparative Politics
Chiu N (2010). Evaluating Sub-State Participation in the History of International Health Co-operation. Central European Journal of International and Security Studies

Conferences

Chiu N (2022). Disruptive Innovation – a Study on the Interplay between Policy & the Commercialization of Drone (UAV) Technologies. British Academy of Management. 31st Aug - 2nd Sep 2022. Abstract.
Chiu SW, Chiu SW (2022). Diversity for a Sustainable Space Future – Opportunities and Challenges for promoting diversity in the space sector. 18th - 22nd Sep 2022. Abstract.
Chiu SW (2022). Scenario Planning for the Future of Innovation in Space and Emerging Technologies. 73rd International Astronautical Congress. 18th - 22nd Sep 2022. Abstract.
Chiu SW (2018). Digital diplomacy: the use of space technologies in enhancing compliance to international regimes. International Astronautical Congress. 1st - 5th Oct 2018.
Chiu N, Porat Y, et al. (2016). The On-Orbit Servicing Answer to Safety and Sustainability for Future Space Activities. International Astronautical Congress.

Reports

CTGA (2018). The Role of Private Industry and Public Policy in Shaping the Drones Industry -- the First "Robotic Skies" Workshop Report. Oxford, CTGA, University of Oxford.
SGAC (2016). Space debris, safety of space objects with nuclear power sources on board and problems relating to their collision with space debris," Report submitted to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, 54th session., United Nations General Assembly A/AC.105/C.1/111.

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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

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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


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