Aligned with its dedication to enhancing international collaboration and cultivating emerging talent for the global space sector—as detailed in “ESPI2040”—the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) is excited to host two students from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, for a two-month traineeship at its Vienna premises under ongoing bilateral cooperation.
This traineeship, introduced collaboratively by ESPI and Flinders University, is part of a wider partnership between the institutions. It gives Flinders University students enrolled in the Outer Space Governance elective an opportunity to spend between 8 and 12 weeks at ESPI’s Vienna office, gaining practical training in space policy, space law, and space governance, among other key areas.
This traineeship has far exceeded all my expectations, from the people I have met, the events I have attended to the projects I have had the privilege to work on. As I reach the halfway point of this experience, I am still pinching myself on how lucky I am to have this opportunity. I look forward to what the next few weeks at ESPI will bring, and I hope this journey continues to pave the way for my future in the space sector.
In addition, the traineeship enables these students to work closely with ESPI’s diverse, interdisciplinary team and benefit from on-site mentorship. This initiative further advances ESPI’s vision of acting as an active global forum and spearheading educational activities in space policy.
I hope throughout my time with ESPI that I gain a greater understanding of the space industry’s potential in both Europe and Australia, and how organisations and politics intertwine with that potential. I believe this insight will better equip me with the knowledge I will require for my future in the global space industry.
The partnership between ESPI, the Space Power and Policy Applied Research Consortium (SPPARC), and the Jeff Bleich Centre at Flinders University began in early 2023 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement paves the way for joint studies on shared interests, research visits by experts from both organizations, and various engagement activities including conferences and workshops in Europe and Australia.
Claire and Ellie officially commenced their traineeship at ESPI on 13 January 2025, with the programme scheduled to conclude on 7 March 2024.
