Research
space expansionism and
criminology
We have entered a recent zeitgeist, the era of the "new space age", driven by billionaires, technological advancements, and a few dominating state powers. While the race to space may be said to offer "new" opportunities for "humanity", we ask, is it predicated on the same logics and historical patterns of the past? This question guides our approach and critical assessment of human expansionism into space. Space Expansionism and Criminology: The Emerging Terrain of Crime, Harm, and Violence offers readers a critical analysis of space expansionism and today’s race to space that has come to define our contemporary era. Taking a retrospective and prospective approach, we delve into the choices being made, the justifications being offered, and those excluded from the hegemonic discourse of the benefits of humans as extraplanetary beings. Space Expansionism and Criminology includes chapters on the historical roots of today’s space race, weaponization and realpolitik, space junk and debris, space mining and resource extrapolation, the burgeoning space tourism market, the manufacturing of space nostalgia from the 1950s through today, and efforts towards, and claims-making for, space colonization to save Earth and humanity.
Available to order at: https://www.routledge.com/Space-Expansionism-and-Criminology-The-Emerging-Terrain-of-Crime-Harm-and-Violence/Rothe-Collins/p/book/9781032645803
the emerging terrain of crime, harm, and violence
Crime, Criminal Justice
and Ethics in Outer Space
Breaking new ground in criminology, this book reflects on the expansion of outer space endeavours, the new pathways this presents for crime, challenges to Earth-based conceptions of justice, and the ethical issues raised.
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This book is the first edited collection of chapters focused on how to prepare for, address and respond to, instances of criminal and harmful behaviour in (and related to) outer space. It also considers what criminal justice might look like in outer space, and how the important arena of ethics might play a pivotal role in helping overcome problems related to crime and crime control. The book comprises 24 chapters from authors spanning six continents, giving a truly international dimension to the first anthology relating to the intersection of space criminology, space criminal justice and space ethics. It is this international dimension that is essential to the development of a holistic understanding of crime, criminal justice and ethics in outer space.
Exploring recent topics, including the dark origin of space exploration, expansion of satellite industries, space tourism, asteroid mining and human settlement on the Moon and Mars, the book will appeal to space professionals, and students and researchers working in criminology, critical security studies, law, and ethics.
Available to order at: https://www.routledge.com/Crime-Criminal-Justice-and-Ethics-in-Outer-Space-International-Perspectives/Eski-Lampkin/p/book/9781032567907
International Perspectives
Space Criminology
In November 2023 Jack Lampkin and Rob White published Space Criminology: Analysing Human Relationships with Outer Space, the first book to specifically consider outer space issues from a criminological perspective. Published by Palgrave in their Green Criminology Series, the book has a strong focus on environmental issues, discussing how and why humans conduct actions that are environmentally harmful both on- and off- Earth. This is illustrated in specific chapters on space mining, space junk, and polluting new spaces. Harm and eco-justice are conceptualised to include the notion of extra-terrestrial justice – outer space or extra-terrestrial bodies such as moons, asteroids, planets, and comets have their own special character and social and cultural status, and this should be preserved as far as possible in any interactions involving humans.
Available to order at: https://link.springer.com/book/9783031399114
Analysing Human Relationships in outer space
VR space crime project
When we think of space, we think of adventure, technological advancement, discovery, and overall positive things but fail to consider crimes inevitability will take place in outer space. Dr Yarin Eski (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and Dr Iris van Sintemaartensdijk (Universiteit Twente) take the first step in understanding space crime by using virtual reality (VR). With VR any scenario can be created and experienced as if it was real-life by those putting on a VR-headset. Within this project, VR is used to have people experience a spaceship and a criminal act that takes place on said spaceship. If people can successfully be (virtually) transported into outer space and experience the scenario as plausible and life-like, these VR-scenarios can act as a conversation starter to talk about crimes in space and reveal how we need to think about this topic sooner rather than later.
This project is the first in a new line of research on an exciting unexplored topic within crime and criminology. Understanding how crimes can take place in outer space and how people respond to them will put us front and centre of an emerging field.
