Professor James Osborn

Director of SPARC and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow

What do you do?

I am the Director of Durham's new interdisciplinary Space Research Centre (SPARC) and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow. For my research, I study how light travels through the atmosphere.

Initially this focused on instrumentation for astronomy, building the scientific equipment that enables astronomers to study planets orbiting distant stars, how galaxies form and evolve and even the nature of dark matter in the universe. More recently I have focused on exchanging technology and techniques from astronomy into emerging sectors such as free-space optical communications (enabling global high bandwidth and secure connectivity) and space surveillance and tracking (enabling the sustainable exploitation of space).

How are you involved in this area of science? 

At Durham University we are forging a new era in space; Space Research Centre (SPARC) is linking world-leading research, impactful partnerships, and industry-relevant training to ensure we have a sustainable future in space. Our centre is founded on the principle of open, rigorous and independent research to grow the capacity and capabilities of space applications while protecting the space environment for present and future generations.

Our vision encompasses not only the pursuit of cutting-edge technologies but also the holistic understanding of space and its broader societal, ethical, and environmental impacts. Through responsible, multi-disciplinary research, including novel sensors, environment modelling, machine learning, governance and operations, we aim to address the complex challenges and opportunities of space exploration. As the founding director of this centre, it is my job to establish and lead activities, including world-leading research, wider engagement as a route to impact, and education and training.

What do you love about this topic?

We are in an era of exponential growth in the space sector. This is enabling developments in space, from the 6.5metre James Webb Space Telescope to accessible high-bandwidth and secure internet anywhere on Earth. The former is probing the nature of the universe, and the latter provides healthcare, education, finance and entertainment for everyone. Future applications could include tourism on the moon, manufacturing and farming and even solar energy generation in space beamed to Earth. We are in a time of opportunity, where good ideas can be tested and realised. This is incredibly exciting and fosters a creative and enthusiastic community.

How does this work deliver real-world impact?

Our strength is in our combined expertise across the faculties, enabling a systems view of space and ultimately enabling a sustainable future in space and on Earth for us and for future generations. To achieve this, it is important to acknowledge the demand for appropriate monitoring and governance structures.

This is underpinned by science but requires an inter-disciplinary approach including business models, international affairs, and governance. Our real-world impact is realised through engagement with industry, government and international agencies, and communities, and through codeveloped education and training.