C. 1ST SYMPOSIUM ON ASTROSOCIOLOGY
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Program
Chair
Jim Pass
Astrosociology Research Institute (ARI)
P.O. Box 1129
Huntington Beach, CA 92647-1129
(714) 317-6169
jpass-at-astrosociology.org
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Program
Co-Chair
Albert A. Harrison
University of California, Davis
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The
astrosociology symposium focuses on topics common to the space
community, though from a social-scientific perspective. That is, a
strong consideration of how each topic relates to society, culture,
and the individual – the traditional purview of the social and
behavioral sciences, humanities, and the arts (hereafter referred to
as the “social sciences” for brevity) -- defines astrosociology. A
major theme of the symposium focuses on how traditional knowledge
and findings of the social sciences, which normally focus on
terrestrial matters, actually possess important applications for
space exploration and related issues. Moreover, the direct
application of social science research and theory-building in
contemporary and future timeframes receive attention as vital
components in the understanding of humanity’s efforts in space
environments in terms of exploration, settlement, work, and
recreation. Examination of the impact of space exploration on
terrestrial societies and cultures receives attention in addition to
that of humans in space.
Papers
and presentations are solicited that address astrosociology themes
to include the following topics:
C01.
Astrosociology: Definition, Scope, and Relevance
Chair:
Jim Pass,
Astrosociology Research Institute,
jpass-at-astrosociology.org
Co-Chair:
Albert A.
Harrison, Department of Psychology, UC, Davis,
aaharrison-at-ucdavis.edu
Papers are solicited
that examine the
definition, scope of coverage, and relevance of a relatively new social
science field called astrosociology that focuses on the intersect
between space and society. The purpose of this session is to introduce
astrosociology to the audience in the context of (1) the general absence
of the social sciences in space exploration and research and (2) the
vital need for a coherent social science field as humanity moves to
increase its presence in space in terms of its permanence, numbers of
spacefarers, and distance from Earth. The scope of astrosociology
represents a wide-ranging number of issues, but these issues have
received little attention in the past even while their relevance to
mainstream social life continues to increase.
C02. Astrosociology
in the Classroom: Building Better Leaders One Student at a Time
Chair:
Yvonne A. Clearwater, NASA Ames Research Center,
yvonne.clearwater-at-nasa.gov
Co-Chair:
Jim Pass,
Astrosociology Research Institute,
jpass-at-astrosociology.org
Papers are solicited that examine the need for
establishing astrosociology as a collaborative discipline in
educational programs and departments spanning the social sciences,
astronautics, and the physical and natural sciences. A major
assumption is that the future of human space exploration depends on
the strong participation of the social sciences. With this in mind,
this session will address the formalization of astrosociology as a
mainstream academic field, making logical arguments supportive of:
(1) taking this new direction for the social sciences, (2) educating
the next generation space exploration leadership in the human
element and societal perspectives, (3) influencing decision-making
for long duration space missions, (4) benefitting the space
community at large, and (4) benefitting society at large through
public outreach, contributions by students, faculty participation,
and other means.
C03. Space Policy and Space Law in a Societal
Context
Chair:
Thomas Gangale,
OPS-Alaska, Petaluma, CA, 707-773-1037;
teg-at-ops-alaska.com
Co-Chair:
Christopher Hearsey,
American University, Bethesda, MD,
818-209-7029;
outerspaceanalysis-at-gmail.com
Papers are solicited that
focus on issues
that relate societal concerns
concerning
how space policy and law are
developed
and
carried out from
perspective oriented toward historical analysis, contemporary issues,
and future possibilities. The astrosociological approach places space
policy and law in a societal
context
that
includes issues such as the cultural perspectives of different nations,
cooperation among nations to reach a consensus on space issues, and
cooperative ventures in space.
Conflict
among nations and the militarization of space fall under the scope of
this session as well.
C04. The Relationship
between Astrosociology and
Astrobiology (and SETI)
Chair: TBD
(contact Jim Pass, Astrosociology Research Institute,
jpass-at-astrosociology.org)
Co-Chair: TBD
Papers are solicited
that examine the
relationship between astrosociology and astrobiology (as well as the
Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, or SETI).
Issues
include the benefits of astrobiology and SETI
to
societies based solely on their very pursuit, philosophical issues about
the possibility of life in the universe (including why we should seek
out such life), how we should construct messages meant for an
intelligent extraterrestrial species, and the impact of discovering
extraterrestrial life (of any sort) on societies, their cultures, and
social groups (such as religious groups). How does an astrosociological
perspective enhance our understanding of humanity’s quest to find
extraterrestrial life?
C05.
Planetary Defense and Societal Protection
Chair:
Jim Pass,
Astrosociology Research Institute,
jpass-at-astrosociology.org
Co-Chair:
Albert A.
Harrison, Department of Psychology, UC, Davis,
aaharrison-at-ucdavis.edu
Papers are solicited that
address planetary defense in terms of its traditional approach (i.e.,
its focus on detection of threatening objects and defense of Earth), but
the approach here is to place such traditional issues in the context of
protecting societies and their cultures (in addition to individuals)
should the detection or defense components fail. How much effort and
resources should societies devote to ensuring that their traditional
ways of life can continue with minimized disruption? How much
preparation is prudent, how much is wasteful? What plans should
politicians make to evacuate and protect their citizens? What types of
cooperative relationships between nations should receive consideration?
Such
questions require attention by
experts in
the planetary defense field.
C06. Space Societies / The Settlement of Space
Environments
Chair:
Joseph E. Palaia, 4Frontiers
Corporation,
joe-at-4FrontiersCorp.com
Co-Chair:
Jim Pass, Astrosociology Research Institute,
jpass-at-astrosociology.org
Papers are solicited that
examine the social
environment in addition to the traditional attention to the physical
environment (i.e., the habitat) based on an engineering and
architectural approach provides the focus for this session. Why is the
social environment
largely
ignored?
Can the physical environment function properly while the social
environment fails? A space settlement or colony should be thought of as
a “space society,” an astrosociological concept that acknowledges the
reality that any settlement will function like a society with
subcultures and social groups, and will become an increasingly social
structure as additional individuals join it.
Participants focus on what it will take for the social environment to
function properly and how the two environments must successfully survive
together.
C07.
Technology Transfers and Spinoffs: How Space Technologies Improve Life
on Earth
Chair:
Douglas A. Comstock, Director, Innovative Partnerships Program (NASA HQ),
202 358-2221,
doug.comstock-at-nasa.gov
Co-Chair: Daniel
P. Lockney, Spinoff Editor, NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI),
301-621-0224,
Daniel.P.Lockney-at-nasa.gov
Papers are solicited that examine
technology transfers and spinoffs from the nation's space program. The
perspectives addressed could include technical, historical, social,
economic, and legal. The session also seeks to frame the topic within
the larger context of the space program by addressing the degree of
importance and relevance of spinoffs relative to other space issues. To
what degree can or should spinoffs be used to justify the space
program? Can similar technologies develop without a space
program? What is the public perception and/or importance of
spinoffs? How are space technologies currently being used to assist
developing countries and in what other ways might they be used?
Examples of technology transfer and spinoffs will accompany
discussions.
C08. Spacefaring Societies
Chair: TBD
(contact Jim Pass, Astrosociology Research Institute,
jpass-at-astrosociology.org)
Co-Chair: TBD
Papers are solicited that examine
the future of
social change in terrestrial societies, which can be addressed in terms
of the very real possibility of moving from post-industrial social
structures to spacefaring societal structures. Current nations that
possess spaceflight abilities are considered “space-capable” societies.
The term “spacefaring society” is reserved for an ideal type of social
system in which space becomes a central aspect of everyday life and
infused into its various social institutions and
larger
cultures of
societies.
Issues
include the
steps societies may take in moving toward the spacefaring society ideal
type as well as what characteristics spacefaring societies may possess.
How far along is the United States, for example, on the continuum toward
a spacefaring society?
C09. Medical Astrosociology
Chair:
Edna R. Fiedler; National Space Biomedical
Research Institute;
efiedler-at-bcm.tmc.edu
Co-Chair: Albert
A. Harrison, University of California, Davis, Department of Psychology,
530-756-2361;
aaharrison-at-ucdavis.edu
Papers are solicited that expand the traditional
approach associated with space biomedicine by focusing on
social-scientific issues consistent with disciplines such as
psychology, social psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
Behavioral health, operational psychology, medical sociology, and
medical anthropology serve as common analogous models on Earth. In
space environments, issues related to medical astrosociology capture
larger issues as well. Ethical dilemmas may include compromises
between providing the best healthcare for one person and ensuring
the welfare of the rest of the crew/population. How do the various
space agencies handle the relationship between biomedical
operational and social scientific issues in the context of
contemporary missions within nations and across nations? What is
the evolution of the relationship between biomedical operations and
social scientific issues over time, from the beginning of
spaceflight and into the future?
