Citizen Writes
Research hot topics
Understanding what it means to be human in the new space age
25/08/2026
The official launch of the Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space in September 2026 marks the culmination of years of planning, collaboration and ambition at the University of Leicester.
For Centre Director Professor Andrew Futter, the journey began with a simple observation.
“The University already had an incredible amount of space-related research taking place,” he says. “But most of it was concentrated within STEM disciplines such as engineering, chemistry, physics and planetary sciences. We felt there was also an important role for the arts, humanities and social sciences in understanding and shaping humanity’s future in space.
“That led to the Humanising Space initiative, which was brought together several years ago by Professor Henrietta O’Connor and colleagues. I became involved a couple of years later, and my role was really to build on the foundations that were already there and help turn that vision into a reality.
“The Centre opened earlier this year, so this launch is the result of a long journey and a huge amount of work by many people.”
More than humans in space
Professor Futter comments that the Centre is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the ‘Centre for Humanity in Space’, but says the distinction is important.
“When we talk about humanity and space, we’re talking about all the things that shape us as human beings and the ways space might shape us in return.
“It’s not just about astronauts on the International Space Station or future settlements on the Moon. It’s about responsibility, sustainability, governance, peace, fairness and how we choose to engage with the wider universe.
“We’re asking questions about the ethics of exploration and who gets to benefit from it. We’re looking at how different societies, cultures and religions have understood space throughout history. And we’re also thinking about the future. How might living beyond Earth change our sense of identity? What would it mean if different nations established permanent bases on the Moon?
“Some of these questions are practical. Others are philosophical. But they all matter if we’re serious about understanding what this new space age means for humanity.”
Bringing disciplines together
The Centre’s ambition is to bridge what Leicester graduate CP Snow famously described as ‘the two cultures’ of science and the humanities.
For Professor Futter, whose own background is in international politics and security studies, that interdisciplinary approach is one of the Centre’s greatest strengths.
“It’s one of the reasons we’re based at Space Park Leicester,” he explains. “Of course, bringing together historians, lawyers, geographers, philosophers, artists and social scientists is important in itself. But what’s especially exciting is being able to connect that expertise with scientists, engineers, businesses, policymakers and others working across the wider space sector.
“We’ve found a real appetite for those conversations. People are genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives and seeing how their work connects with wider questions about society.
“Our Space Park Conversations seminar series has been a great example of that. You might have someone explaining why an idea simply isn’t technically possible, while somebody else challenges us to think about the political, ethical or cultural implications. Those exchanges are incredibly valuable because they push all of us beyond the limits of our own disciplines.”
Building a community of researchers
The Centre is also rapidly growing a new generation of researchers working at the intersection of space and society.
“By the time all of our PhD students have joined us, we’ll have more than 20 researchers based here working across a huge range of topics,” says Professor Futter. “I suspect that’s one of the largest concentrations of scholars globally focused on these kinds of questions.
“The response to our recruitment has been phenomenal. We advertised postdoctoral positions linked to our four research themes and were amazed by both the quality and diversity of applications.
“What was particularly exciting was seeing the breadth of ideas people brought to us. We deliberately wanted to cast the net wide and see how researchers interpreted the challenge of understanding humanity’s relationship with space.”
Further support has come through a significant Arts and Humanities Research Council grant led by Professor Rossana Deplano, which will bring an additional cohort of doctoral researchers to the Centre over the coming years.
“The AHRC recognised the importance of what we’re trying to achieve and wanted to work alongside Leverhulme in supporting it. That’s hugely encouraging.”
Looking ahead
Ultimately, Professor Futter hopes the Centre will help shape the wider conversation about humanity’s future beyond Earth.
“I want the researchers we train to leave here with a genuinely broad understanding of space and all the forces that shape it. Whether they go into academia, industry, government or somewhere else entirely, I hope they’ll take that perspective with them.
“Space isn’t just about technology. It’s about people. It’s about culture, politics, ethics, history and imagination. The questions we’re exploring might look very different on the surface, but they’re all connected by a single idea: what does it mean to be human as we enter a new space age?
“If the Centre can help answer that question, and bring new voices and perspectives into the conversation, then I’ll consider it a success.”