Research

Outer Space Research Group

This research group is led by Dr Jack Lampkin & Dr Dominic Osita Okoli.

The Outer Space Research Group was formed in October 2025 through the collective realisation that a number of interdisciplinary, outer space-related, research activities were taking place across York St John University.

The research group aims to bring individuals from across the university together, united by a collective interest in all things to do with outer space. Due to this inter-disciplinary nature, the research group is open to new joiners with any interest in outer space. This could include, but is not limited to:

Space law
Dark Skies (protection and preservation)
Light pollution
Climate Justice
Dark skies, health and wellbeing
Nature collectedness
Nature restoration
Regenerative stewardship
Space sustainability
Space politics and policy
Space within the arts, humanities and social sciences
Cosmic horror and outer space literature
Astronomy
Astro-photography
Space criminology and astro-green criminology
Astro-biology
Astrosociology
Space futures
Space sciences
Satellite communications and space technologies
Planetary science and protection

All areas of research are welcomed from prospective PhD students and new members, as long as there is some connection to outer space.

Get in touch

If you are interested in contributing to this research group, please contact Dr Jack Lampkin:

Email: j.lampkin@yorksj.ac.uk

Research activity

Burns, A. Hall, J. & Paddison, B. (2024) The Dark Matters. https://youtu.be/QBXWfc5w49w?si=NV2miZrqAYzQTmi2

Burns, R. & Lampkin, J.A. (2024) ‘On the World-Picture: A Crossdisciplinary Analysis of Astronoetics and Astro-Green Criminology’, Revista Electrónica de Criminología, 05-09: 1-10.

Eski, Y. & Lampkin, J.A. (eds) (2024) Crime, Criminal Justice & Ethics in Outer Space: International Perspectives. Oxon: Routledge.

Hall, J. Paddison, B. & Jones, B. (2025) ‘The Dark Matters: Dark-Sky Leisure Events as Regenerative Spaces for Climate Justice’, Annals of Leisure Research, 1–21.

Hall, J. Paddison, B. & Jones, B. (2025) ‘Reaffirming Sensory Ethnography: Sensing Regenerative Tourist Practices in Dark-Sky Protected Zones’, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1–23.

Hind, C. & Hall, J. (2025 - in press) ‘Walking Under Dark-Skies: Sensing Spaces of Inclusion in National Parks’, Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance.

Lampkin, J.A. (2025) ‘Book Review of Rothe and Collins Space Expansionism and Criminology: The Emerging Terrain of Crime, Harm and Violence’, Journal of White Collar and Corporate Crime.

Lampkin, J.A. & South, N. (2025) ‘Space Junk’. In: White, R. (ed) Encyclopaedia of Environmental Crime. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Lampkin, J.A. & Takemura, N. (2025) ‘Astro-Green Criminology and Environmental Harm’. In: White, R. (ed) Encyclopaedia of Environmental Crime. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Lampkin, J.A. & McClanahan, W. (2023) ‘Astronomical Withdrawals: A Green Criminological Examination of Extreme Energy Mining on Extra-terrestrial Objects’, Crime, Law and Social Change, (2023): 1-20.

Lampkin, J.A. & Wyatt, T. (2023) ‘An Astro-Green Criminological Examination of Orbital Space Debris’, Criminology and Criminal Justice, 23(3): 1-26.

Lampkin, J.A. & White, R. (2023) Space Criminology: Analysing Human Relationships with Outer Space. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Lampkin, J.A. & Wyatt, T. (2022) ‘Widening the Scope of ‘Earth’ Jurisprudence and ‘Green’ Criminology? Towards Preserving Extra-Terrestrial Heritage Sites on Celestial Bodies’. In: Gacek, J. & Jochelson, R. (eds) Green Criminology and the Law. Palgrave Macmillan. Pp: 309-329.

Lampkin, J.A. (2021) ‘Mapping the Terrain of an Astro-Green Criminology: A Case for Extending the Green Criminological Lens Outside of Planet Earth’, Astropolitics: The International Journal of Space Politics and Policy, 18(3): 259-273.

Okoli, D.O. & Nwankwo, O.J. (2025) ‘Dynamics of Aerospace Technologies and the Legal Delimitation of Outer Space’, Air and Space Law, 50(3): 285-320.

Okoli, D.O. (2025) Between Vertical Frontiers: Exploring Customary International Law for a Common Legal Delimitation of Outer Space. PhD Thesis: Kingston University, London.