Symposium on Bio-Futures for Transplanetary Habitats
April 7th - 8th, 2022 - Newcastle-upon-Tyne (UK)
Organised by Bio-Futures for Transplanetary Habitats (BFfTH)
Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE), Newcastle University, UK
Research in transplanetary habitats and habitats within extreme environments is growing exponentially. In order to understand emerging extra-terrestrial futures and infrastructures, there is a need for transdisciplinary research that can investigate the implications of integrating living materials and more-than-human life into astronautics. How can emerging biotechnologies be implemented in the design and mission planning to enable or support creation of transplanetary habitats and habitats in extreme environments? What new socio-political concerns or ethical implications should be taken into account? How can sustaining life off-Earth in the future help transitioning towards a sustainable built environment on-Earth in the present? The aim of this symposium is to serve as a catalyst in building an international network of collaborators across industry, academia and the private sector. The symposium also aims to support the development of novel methodologies to move beyond discipline-specific approaches in order to address and interrogate these emerging questions.
Potential presentation topics might include but are not limited to:
● Multi-species narratives and relations to sustain human and other-than-human life in transplanetary habitats;
● Use of biotechnology and bio-design to ensure and support safety, sustainability, habitability, reliability, and crew efficiency, productivity and comfort in extreme environments off and on Earth;
● Speculative ethics for companionship between humanity and other-than-humans within transplanetary habitats;
● Sociotechnical considerations in propagating and sustaining earth life beyond Earth environments;
● Innovative material-driven processes for the design of transplanetary habitats;
● Sustainable living on Earth through a holistic systems thinking approach.
Abstract submission is now closed. We invite you now to register to participate in this fascinating event!
Potential presentation topics might include but are not limited to:
● Multi-species narratives and relations to sustain human and other-than-human life in transplanetary habitats;
● Use of biotechnology and bio-design to ensure and support safety, sustainability, habitability, reliability, and crew efficiency, productivity and comfort in extreme environments off and on Earth;
● Speculative ethics for companionship between humanity and other-than-humans within transplanetary habitats;
● Sociotechnical considerations in propagating and sustaining earth life beyond Earth environments;
● Innovative material-driven processes for the design of transplanetary habitats;
● Sustainable living on Earth through a holistic systems thinking approach.
Abstract submission is now closed. We invite you now to register to participate in this fascinating event!
REGISTRATION
A UK based 'hybrid event' will be held both on-site in Newcastle Upon Tyne and virtually.
ONLINE Virtual attendace is free of charge. Please follow this LINK to join us virtually
IN PERSON If you would like to join us in Newcastle, we offer tickets from £20 (unwaged or student) to £50 (waged). Please follow this LINK to join us in person.
(Price includes event attendance, two lunches, multiple coffee breaks, and reception drinks.)
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Christina Ciardullo
Christina Ciardullo is a Senior Architect and Co-Founder of Space Exploration Architecture (SEArch+) and a PhD Researcher at the Yale Center for Ecosystems in Architecture.
With an undergraduate background in astronomy and philosophy, and a Masters of Architecture from Columbia University, Christina bridges a career between practice and research at the intersection of the natural sciences and the built environment, designing for a sustainable future for Earth and Space.
With an undergraduate background in astronomy and philosophy, and a Masters of Architecture from Columbia University, Christina bridges a career between practice and research at the intersection of the natural sciences and the built environment, designing for a sustainable future for Earth and Space.
Angelo Vermeulen
Angelo Vermeulen is a space systems researcher, biologist, and artist. He works on bio-inspired concepts for interstellar exploration at Delft University of Technology, with a specific focus on self-replicating architecture and biological life support. Through collaborations with NASA, ESA, space companies, and various academic and cultural institutions he has developed a transdisciplinary perspective on the future of space exploration.
Presentation title: A Bio-Inspired Approach for Emergent Interstellar Architecture
Presentation title: A Bio-Inspired Approach for Emergent Interstellar Architecture
