In the face of great challenges we want to think differently about international politics. With researchers from around the globe, in discussion with politics and society, we are seeking out new ideas and expanding perspectives.
Fellow
Programme
The Academy is both a site of research and an exchange for ideas. The Academy offers its Fellows ideal working conditions in which to pursue their own questions. In conversation with scholars and scientists from other disciplines, with politicians and civil society, new perspectives arise.
Bonn.
The Federal City.
The capital city of the old Federal Republic has long been an important European research location. Bonn is home to outstanding scientific institutes, international organisations, UN institutions and federal ministries. Bonn is a small-scale, close-knit city and offers an ideal environment for developing the ideas of the future.
Events
From scholarly conferences, lectures and panel discussions through to conversations held within a small circle – the Academy conducts different events series. Debate on our chosen themes is held with a wide range of figures. We invite academic researchers, politicians, business, the media and the interested public to join us.
Academy
What’s New
ImpulseChina’s investment in Africa – between myths and challenges
China’s investment in Africa has sparked debate, driving economic growth while raising concerns about debt dependency and resource extraction. Infrastructure projects improve connectivity and trade, and Chinese-backed investments create jobs, addressing high youth unemployment.
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FellowsRethinking Turkish Diaspora Politics: Diversity Beyond Stereotypes
The second meeting between the Parliamentary Group NRW-Turkey and AIA NRW fellows took place on December 19th at the NRW state parliament in Düsseldorf. Associate Fellow Dr Inci Öykü Yener-Roderburg shared her insights, based on her field study of the political engagement of Turkish diaspora groups, including external voting during the last national elections in Turkey. In a discussion with the parliamentarians, she stressed that
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ImpulseExploring Space Policy: Europe’s Role in the Final Frontier
In our latest edition of the Impulse series Dr. Raúl González Muñoz, lecturer at the University of Leicester and Associate Fellow of the AIA NRW, highlights the critical role of collaboration and innovation in Europe’s space strategy. From near-Earth orbits to cislunar exploration, space requires a close partnership between policymakers and industry to overcome significant financial and technological barriers.
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AIA Sommerfest am 16.07.24 © Volker Lannert Originalfilename: 1Z8A5672 InterviewPreparing for First Contact: Space Ethics with Professor Chelsea Haramia
In her recent interview with Journalist Martin Wein, published on 29th of December 2024 in the General-Anzeiger Bonn, our Fellow Chelsea Haramia is shedding light on the “time after discovery”, focusing on ethical responses to alien technology and communication.
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ImpulseOuter Space Governance: Space Security, Regulation and Sustainability
Outer space technologies, including rockets, satellites, and their supporting infrastructure, are vital to modern societies. They enable critical services such as telecommunications, internet access, mapping, geolocation, environmental monitoring, and weather forecasting. These systems also play essential roles in national defense, supporting intelligence collection, nuclear early warning, and precision weapon targeting. As such, they are key to military, environmental, and human security, and represent a pillar of economic power.
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ImpulseThe Wild West in Space: The Urgent Need for Rules Beyond Earth
This article, written by Martin Wein, is based on our side event at the World Space Forum titled “Responsibility in Space for Sustainability on Earth.” At the event, ESA astronaut Gerhard Thiele delivered an insightful keynote on his experiences in space and beyond. Following this, our Fellows and members of the Outer Space Working Group—Chelsea Haramia, Raúl Gónzalez Muñoz, and Adam Bower—shared their research projects at AIA and engaged in discussions on sustainability in space.
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ImpulseExploring the Unknown: Dr. Chelsea Haramia on Planning for Post-Detection Scenarios
At AIA, Dr. Chelsea Haramia’s groundbreaking research focuses on preparing humanity for the profound moment when we might discover extraterrestrial life or technology. In a recent interview, Dr. Haramia shared her insights into post-detection planning, emphasizing the ethical and global challenges of responding to such a discovery. Central to her work is the importance of gauging public attitudes and achieving informed global consent for actions that may follow this monumental event.
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Earth as viewed from Moon surface. The surface of the moon, strewn with small rocks and sand. Flight over Moon craters. Moon surface, Desert, Cliffs, sand. Conception space abstract background. ImpulseExploring the Final Frontier: Space as an Environment and the Challenges Ahead
The vastness of space has always been a source of fascination, but as humanity’s reach expands into the cosmos, so do the challenges we face. Associate Fellow Günes Ünüvar’s work sheds light on pressing questions: Is there a risk of being hit by falling satellites? What threats does space debris pose? And why should we consider space as an “environment”?
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Fellow ColloquiumImplementation of the European Union Space Defence & Security Strategy: Key Challenges and Enablers
The European Union reflects its aspiration to achieve sovereignty in critical areas of policy and technology, with space emerging as a central domain. As geopolitical tensions rise and global competition for technological dominance intensifies, European space initiatives—such as Galileo, Copernicus, and the future IRIS2—demonstrate the strategic significance of space policy for fostering technological innovation, enhancing resilience, and reinforcing European integration.
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ImpulseAcademy of International Affairs NRW: Fostering Global Dialogue in Bonn
The article based on an interview with our director, Mayssoun Zein Al Din, conducted by journalist Martin Wein, explores the role of the Academy of International Affairs NRW in Bonn as a new and significant player among global think tanks.
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