Director of Championing Space, UK Space Agency
Professor Anu Ojha OBE is responsible for overseeing outreach, international relations, and ESA policy teams at the UK Space Agency. He has held key roles, including Director of the UK National Space Centre and member of the European Space Agency Human Spaceflight and Exploration Science Advisory Committee. Anu previously led the UK National Space Academy and worked with Tim Peake on the Astro Academy Principia experiment.
As space activity accelerates, emerging technologies bring new challenges to the governance of outer space. This panel will explore recent and expected advancements in space situational awareness and their implications for legal frameworks and dispute resolution.
Moderator
Professor Petra Minnerop works at the intersection of law and science in the context of sustainability, climate change and environmental degradation. Her research addresses how the law can be used to effectuate change in light of scientific evidence, to address global environmental crises. She uses comparative legal analysis and interdisciplinary methods and has published widely on climate change, environmental law and policy and international law.
Durham University Space Research Centre
James Osborn is the founding director of the Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC), a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, and an Associate Professor (Research) in the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) at Durham University. He leads the free-space optics group, focusing on atmospheric turbulence for optical applications like astronomy and communications. His work includes developing technology for space surveillance and tracking, and fostering space sustainability.
Durham Law School
Dr. PJ Blount is Assistant Professor of Space Law at Durham University and a visiting scholar at Mae Fah Luang University in Thailand. He has held positions at Cardiff University, University of Mississippi, University of Luxembourg, Montclair State University, and Beijing Institute of Technology. His research focuses on international space law, space security, and cyberspace law. He has published widely, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, and authored "Reprogramming the World".
Emeritus Professor
Martin Ward is the Temple Chevallier Chair of Astronomy at Durham University. He has held positions at Cambridge, Oxford, and Leicester before joining Durham in 2004. An observational astrophysicist, his research focuses on black holes and quasars. He has consulted for the European Space Agency and is involved in the next-generation Hubble Telescope project. Passionate about science outreach, he has appeared on Patrick Moore’s “The Sky at Night” and Melvyn Bragg’s “In Our Time.”
Talk: Triggers for disputes over space resources: a quantitative look
Dr Martin Elvis is an astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. He’s published nearly 500 papers on supermassive black holes, cited over 38,000 times, and writes on asteroid and lunar resources and the space economy. A fellow of AAAS, he’s also a past Chair of the Hubble Users’ Committee. Asteroid 9283 Martinelvis is named after him. His book Asteroids was published by Yale in 2021.
As space becomes increasingly contested and commercialized, disputes are inevitable. Resolving these disputes requires a blend of legal, diplomatic and technological solutions. This panel will examine the types of disputes emerging in the space sector and the mechanisms available to address them.
Dr. Eken is an Assistant Professor in Commercial Law at Durham Law School and a member of the Durham International Dispute Resolution Institute. A triple-qualified lawyer (California, Turkey, England & Wales) and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, he has held visiting scholar positions at Stanford and the Max Planck Institute. He has authored numerous publications on arbitration and law, and received the 2021 Postgraduate Research Output Award from CUHK.
Talk: Data Gathering in Lunar Conflict: Exploring the Potential of Neutral Surveillance Systems
Berna Akcali Gur is the LL.M. module convenor for Outer Space Law at Queen Mary University of London and an Associate Research Fellow at UNU-CRIS. She previously convened the WTO Law module and held research positions at King's College London and the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. As an assistant professor at Kadir Has University, she led modules on WTO Law, Internet Governance, and more. Berna has practised law in Istanbul, New York, and London
Talk: Dispute Settlement for Space
Professor Mahulena Hofmann is a leading authority in space and telecommunications law, holding the SES Chair in Satellite Communications and Media Law at the University of Luxembourg. She has played a pivotal role in drafting Luxembourg's space legislation and actively contributes to international legal frameworks governing space activities
Talk: Typical Disputes Seen in the Satellite Industry: An In-House Lawyer’s View
Oliver is a Senior Attorney at Inmarsat (now part of Viasat) since 2020, primarily working with the maritime business unit and handling disputes across the company. Previously, he worked at Covington & Burling in dispute resolution. His work at Inmarsat sparked an interest in space law, leading him to complete a course at the London Institute of Space Policy & Law and speak on space law topics at various conferences.
Talk: Resolution of Space Tort Disputes: Challenges and Mechanisms in the New Space Age
Ata Türkfiliz is a PhD researcher in law at the University of Antwerp and Chief Legal Officer at Space for Climate. A registered attorney with the Istanbul Bar, he focuses on dispute resolution in the space sector. He is Secretary General of IMLSA, a researcher with SGAC and IISL, and a graduate of Saarland, Istanbul and Bilkent Universities. He recently received UN and German government funding to attend the 2024 UN World Space Forum.
Managing risk in space goes beyond technical failures—financial, political, and reputational challenges all play a role. This panel will explore issues related to insurance and how forward-thinking public relations strategies can mitigate fallout from disputes or accidents.
Ayten-Selin is a PhD researcher focusing on military activities, particularly the use of self-defence, in outer space. Her PhD thesis looks at how the law of self-defence would change in outer space domain due to the domain’s distinctive characteristics.
Talk: Satellite Insurance: Current Developments and Challenges
Dr Onur Sabri Durak completed his law studies in Turkey and PhD in China. He teaches Maritime Law and Polar Law at ITU and other universities. His research includes Space Law, Polar Law, and Marine Environmental Law. He represented the Turkish Space Agency at APSCO and participated in the Turkish Antarctic Expedition. He consults for the Turkish Chamber of Shipping and has taught at various international space law programmes
Talk: The Future Challenges of Insuring Space Assets (with Yuk Chi Chan)
Neil leads the team as Head of Space at Price Forbes. An English-trained lawyer with almost 30 years’ experience in the space insurance sector. Neil has worked as a broker and underwriter and lectured on space law and space insurance. He is a recognised expert in space liability matters and has advised NASA, ESA, UK Space Agency, and several governments. His advice has led to changes in UK space law. Neil is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and on the Advisory Board of the Earth Space
Talk: The Future Challenges of Insuring Space Assets (with Neil Stevens)
As space commerce and cooperation expand, so do legal conflicts—raising the question of how best to resolve them. This panel will explore the role of ADR in settling space disputes. With no clear court for space conflicts, could arbitration or mediation be the key to maintaining stability beyond Earth?
Dr Ronán Feehily is Associate Professor of Commercial Law at Durham University and an experienced commercial lawyer, arbitrator, and mediator. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and CEDR Accredited Mediator, his research focuses on international commercial dispute resolution, corporate governance, and trade. He has published five books, 20 peer-reviewed articles, an edited book, and a book chapter, and has presented conference papers worldwide.
Talk: Trends in the arbitration of satellite-related disputes: an evidence-led analysis
Jonathan, an English-qualified solicitor advocate and Counsel based in the London office, has extensive experience in complex, high-value international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations across sectors like energy, aerospace, commodity trading, mining, finance, construction, and insurance under major arbitration rules. He recently completed a one-year secondment as Legal Counsel at a leading commodity trading and logistics house, advising on high-stakes disputes
Space Mediation in the New World Order (with Chris Newman)
Dr David Sixsmith is an Assistant Professor at Northumbria Law School and a non-practising solicitor. His research focuses on civil dispute resolution, civil justice reform, and online dispute resolution. He is co-editing a forthcoming book on mediation and contributes to projects on clinical negligence disputes and space law. His legal education research includes the impact of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. He also co-edits Revise SQE, authoring the Dispute Resolution guide.
Space Mediation in the New World Order (with David Sixsmith)
Professor Christopher J. Newman is Professor of Space Law and Policy at Northumbria University and a leading expert in space governance. A member of the International Institute of Space Law, he has published extensively on space law and ethics. He has judged the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot, advised commercial firms on space law, and contributed to the British Interplanetary Society’s work on the Outer Space Treaty. He regularly appears in UK media, including BBC and Sky News, as a space law exp
The PCA Arbitration Rules for Space Disputes: Retrospect and Prospect
Prof Yun Zhao is Henry Cheng Professor in International Law and Associate Dean (Mainland Affairs) at the University of Hong Kong. He represents the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of the Hague Conference on Private International Law and serves as an Expert Committee Member of the International Commercial Tribunal of Xiamen Intermediate Court. A Justice of the Peace (HKSAR) and Chair Professor at Xiamen University, his research covers Space Law, Dispute Resolution, and E-commerce Law.
As space activity accelerates, governance frameworks must evolve to address emerging challenges. This panel will explore key issues touching on resource rights, security concerns, regulatory gaps, and international cooperation.
Professor Joanna Berry is Associate Dean, External Engagement for the Faculty of Business and Director of Durham Energy Institute. She leads the MBA Entrepreneurship Pathway and co-directs the MSc in Energy Engineering Management. Joanna is a trustee of Acumen Community Buildings and a governor at Newcastle's Royal Grammar School. Her research interests include innovation, entrepreneurship, and supporting women in STEM. She is nominated for Mentor of the Year in the 2023 Northern Power Women Awa
Talk: Understanding the Immunities of the European Space Agency in the Context of Space Sector Disputes
David is a space law and policy researcher currently pursuing a PhD at Northumbria University. He leads the Space Law and Policy Project Group at the Space Generation Advisory Council and holds positions with Astroscale and the Pinsker Centre, focusing on space militarisation, disarmament, and policy. Davide is dedicated to advancing space sustainability and regulatory frameworks and actively contributes to key space law initiatives and events globally.
Talk: Governing Foreign Investment Beyond Earth: International Investment Law and Outer Space Activities
Dr. Güneş Ünüvar is a researcher at the University of Luxembourg’s Luxembourg Centre for European Law. His research focuses on international space law, international economic law, and their intersection, particularly space regulation, foreign investment protection, and decentralised finance in space. He is Managing Editor of the Journal of World Investment & Trade and an observer at UN COPUOS and UNCITRAL ISDS Reform. Güneş has received prestigious fellowships and scholarships, and
Talk: Access to and Sustainable Management of Northern European Airspace
Ralph “Dinz” Dinsley is a Space Surveillance and Space Situational Awareness specialist with over 25 years of experience in space operations. A former Royal Air Force veteran, he led the UK Ministry of Defence's Operational Space support across key international programmes. After retiring in 2017, he founded Northern Space and Security Limited, later acquired by Raytheon UK. His newest company, 3S Northumbria Ltd, develops sustainable space solutions and advances space situational awareness.
For a sustainable future in space
Durham University Space Research CentreDepartment of PhysicsOgden Centre for Fundamental Physics (West)South RoadDurham, DH1 3LE
E: sparc@durham.ac.uk
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