For our Inspirational Women Shaping The Future Of Business Education we speak with Dr Nikita Chiu – Associate Professor in Space Innovation & Technology Governance at Durham University Business School.
- Name: Nikita SW Chiu
- Job title: Associate Professor in Space Innovation & Technology Governance
Founder and Director of CN2I – Collaborative Network for Inclusive Innovation for Critical Operations - Institution: Durham University Business School
Dr Nikita Chiu is Associate Professor in Space Innovation and Technology Governance at Durham University Business School. She is also Ad Astra Distinguished Fellow in Robotic and Outer Space Governance at the Space Engineering Research Center, based at USC.
A former Ernst Mach grant recipient, she previously served as Senior Lecturer in Innovation Policy at the University of Exeter, and as Research Fellow in Robotics and Outer Space Technologies at the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford. Dr Chiu is a graduate from Cambridge Judge Business School, and was a Research Affiliate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge.
Dr. Chiu had conducted research in Hong Kong, Tallinn, Dublin, Heidelberg, Geneva, and Vienna. She read Technology Policy at St Edmund’s College at the University of Cambridge, and gained her PhD from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva in 2014.
Dr Chiu was a mentor for Space4Women, a network organised by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). She was selected as one of “20 under 35” future leaders to watch by the Space & Satellite Professionals International in 2019 for her work on space sustainability.
Dr Chiu’s ongoing research investigates the dynamics between technological advances and governance, with a focus on understanding the socio-economic, policy, and security impact brought by the increasing commercialisation of robotics, quantum, and space technologies.
Why do you work in education?
Education has given me tremendous opportunities to pursue my dreams and to explore the world. My training, first as an International Relations scholar, then as a Technology Governance academic in Space Innovation, has equipped me with the tool to appreciate and analyse evolving dynamics between governance, innovation, and the increasing commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies.
My studies and research have taken me to forums at the very forefront of global innovation debates, from conference halls within the UN, to analogue modules of the International Space Station (ISS) at the European Astronaut Centre. Last year, I had the opportunity to learn about human spaceflights and space exploration directly from an active astronaut. These are all invaluable opportunities that I dreamed of in my youth.
Over the years, research-informed education has brought me closer and closer to not only realising my dreams, but also to helping others in realising their potentials and ambitions.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
Some of the students whom I have supervised and mentored have gone on to play important roles in the burgeoning space and technology sector. One of my former students have advanced to work for the Canadian Space Agency, another had progressed to gain experience working directly with experts from NASA and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). Most recently, a student shared with me that his childhood dream of working in the space industry was reignited after having attended one of my talks.
It is incredibly humbling to know that I could play a small part in their innovation journeys, equipping them with the necessary knowledge, skills and mindsets to advance a more responsible, inclusive, and sustainable future.
“Over the years, research-informed education has brought me closer and closer to not only realising my dreams, but also to helping others in realising their potentials and ambitions.”
– Dr Nikita Chiu
My role at the intersection of technology, innovation, and governance means that I have the chance to constantly learn from peers from across diverse disciplines, industries, and sectors. Working collaboratively with colleagues from engineering, governments, and space agencies, I relish the opportunity to brainstorm innovative solutions in tackling some of today’s most pressing challenges, including space sustainability and inclusivity.
Through my work, I am extremely privileged to have the honour to learn from phenomenal figures such as former astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, and deep sea explorer Daniel Cron.
Please tell us about a challenge you’ve overcome to get to where you are today. What did you learn?
Recent research has found that women continue to remain less likely to be perceived as leaders and to be trusted as leaders. In this sense, my journey in pursuing my dream as a scholar and educator in the space sector is not unique. That said, the challenges I faced during my formative years have taught me the importance of active listening. As the opportunity to contribute to or to lead high-level discussions was never an automatic right for me, I found myself constantly growing intellectually through active listening. Gradually, but firmly, I gained significant insights and contextualised knowledge that distinguish me as a competitive thought leader in my areas of specialisation.
I also learned enormously through volunteering and working with the next generation of leaders, for example, through initiatives such as the Space4Women mentoring programme launched by UNOOSA. The passion and adaptability that I often encountered amongst students and emerging researchers both inform and motivate me to further my work on inclusive innovation.
Have you ever had a role model? If yes, who? And how have they impacted your career or outlook?
My father has always prided himself as the one who laid the foundation of my alma mater in Hong Kong: He literally moved sands during the construction phase of the University’s foundation years! My mother also worked as a cashier at the University cafeteria at my alma mater. I take great pride in knowing the roles that they played in supporting and building the infrastructure that nourished my intellectual growth. They instilled in me strong work ethics, and had always encouraged me to dream ambitiously. Most importantly, through actions they showed me the virtue of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Within the scientific circle, I am greatly inspired by the work of Sir Charles Kao (高錕) and Katalin Karikó – Nobel laureates for their ground-breaking work in inventing fibre optics and in developing the mRNA vaccines respectively.
Reading their memoirs and interviews, I learned of the challenges that they faced when they were young migrant researchers like me. While recognitions of their contributions to science is beyond dispute after their Nobel Prize accolades, many were initially skeptical and critical of their innovative work during their formative years. Learning from their struggles helped me recognise the strength of resilience, and the need to constantly pursue excellence in research.
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