Space Policy Institute

Welcome to SPI

The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs is a world leader in research, graduate study, and informed discussion related to issues of science, technology, and public policy. The Space Policy Institute celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017. The Institute conducts research, offers graduate courses and organizes seminars, symposia, and conferences on topics related to domestic and international space policy. SPI is associated with the International Science and Technology Policy academic program, which leads to a Master of Arts degree at the Elliott School. The Institute operates within the Elliott School, but does so with support from The George Washington University as a whole, in addition to funding from a number of individual, corporate, foundation, and government sources. The Institute is directed by Dr. Scott Pace.

Non-resident Scholar Kimitake Nakamura’s most recent book was selected the IAA Social Sciences Book Award (2025)

We congratulate Kimi (Space Policy Institute Non-Resident Scholar Kimitake Nakamura) for his newest book “Norm Formation in Space Law”, to be selected as the IAA Social Sciences Book Award 2025. The IAA Social Sciences Book Award is an annual honor presented by the...

SPI in the IAC 2025@Sydney

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Op-Ed on SPACENEWS by SPI Alumni Elif Yüksel : “Redefining space diplomacy for the 21st century: from orbits to outcomes”

Click here or the article image to read Elif’s Op-ed. Elif Yüksel is a Turkish pioneer in space diplomacy and space policy. She is a Fulbright Scholar, Space Policy Institute Fellow, and an alumna of the International Space University. Currently, she works as a...

Dr. Scott Pace joins the panel at CSIS event “Rocket Dreams: Inside the New Space Race with Christian Davenport and former National Space Council leaders”

On September 26, Dr. Scott Pace participated on a panel at a CSIS event alongside Christian Davenport (author of “Rocket Dreams: Inside the New Space Race”) and Chirag Parikh (former Executive Secretary of the National Space Council). The event featured a fascinating...

Dr. Scott Pace was appointed to International Advisory Board on Emerging Technology at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

Dr. Scott Pace, director of the Space Policy Institute and professor of the practice of international affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs, has been invited to join the Academic Advisory Body for Emerging Technologies at the International...

Dr. Scott Pace presented in the Joint Meeting of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board and the Space Studies Board (July 24, 2025)

Dr. Scott Pace joined a panel titled “U.S. Space Science Leadership in a Global Context“. The Panel discussed how the U.S. can sustain scientific leadership amid rising global competition. Where are the global players are gaining ground and how the U.S....

Get to Know the Space Policy Institute

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Contact:

1957 E St NW Suite 403

Washington, D.C. 20052

Phone: (202) 994-1592

spi@gwu.edu