"Meet ECSL Members" Series: Ludovica Ciarravano, Junior Research Fellow in Space Law at Sapienza University of Rome

1. Hi Ludovica! How has your day been?

It has been nice, thanks. Today’s good weather in Rome was a plus.

2. Can you introduce yourself?

Yes, sure. My name is Ludovica Ciarravano, I am 25 and I live in Rome, Italy. I graduated in 2020 with a Master’s Degree in International Relations, defending my final dissertation in Space Law and I am currently a young research fellow in Space Law at Sapienza University of Rome.

3. What was your first interaction with space law during your studies?

I have always been interested in space activities, but the first interaction with space law dates back to the period of my studies in Political Science and International Relations at Sapienza University of Rome. In 2018, I was attending the International Law course by ECSL Chairman, Prof. Sergio Marchisio, where he introduced the law of outer space activities. I had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge in this field by attending the course of Space Law during my Master’s Degree.

4. What opportunities are there to learn space law in Italy?

Space Law is a relatively new field of studies, but it also seems to be in great expansion and many students are interested in it. Space Law teaching is included in the Academic programmes of the Faculty of Political Sciences, Sociology and Communication of Sapienza University of Rome and in the Degree in Political Sciences and Degree in Law at the University of Padua. At Sapienza also seminar activities and supervision of doctoral thesis dedicated to space law or space law-related topics are offered within the context of the PhD in Public, Comparative, and International Law.

Furthermore, the Italian Society for International Organizations offers an Advanced Professional Course in Space Institutions and Policies, in partnership with the Italian Space Agency and the Institute for International Legal Studies of the National Centre for Research (CNR).

Finally, students and professionals can approach space law through the activities carried out by the ECSL NPOC for Italy.

5. How has your interest in the subject helped you at the involvement with the ECSL NPOC for Italy?

I think that being interested in space law is the main prerequisite to be involved in the ECSL NPOC as it is supposed that its members promote the knowledge about this field of studies with enthusiasm and passion. So, my interest in the subject did help me to get involved in the ECSL NPOC for Italy.

6. Besides academic research work on space law, are there any other aspects of the space sector you find interesting?

As I was saying before, there is an ever-growing interest in space activities, and I think this is mainly due to the potential economic revenues of this kind of activities. An aspect I am interested in, and that I would like to deepen, is space economy.

7. You were able to focus on space infrastructure during your master’s thesis. How many possibilities are there to specialise in space law in Italy?

I had the opportunity to defend the final dissertation of my Master’s Degree on the importance to protect space infrastructure and the legal framework developed at the European level for the setting-up of a European Space Surveillance and Tracking Capability.

The Sapienza University Course in International Relations or the Advanced Professional Course in Space Institutions and Policies issued by the Italian Society for International Organization offer the opportunity to specialise in this sector.

8. What have your best experiences with the ECSL been?

I think that the best experiences with the ECSL so far have been the possibility to attend the 2021 edition of the ECSL Summer Course and the participation in the ECSL Young Lawyers’ Symposium as one of the panellists in October 2021. On both occasions I met other brilliant students holding the same interest in space law and both occasions have been valuable experiences for my professional development.

9. What is one thing you would like to see the ECSL do in the future?

I deeply appreciate the great work ECSL does for spreading the knowledge of space law and policy and in creating opportunities for students and young professionals to get involved in international initiatives in this field. I would like the ECSL to organize workshops on how to begin a career related to the law of outer space activities.

10. Italian members are very involved in the ECSL. How do you perceive the community and their interest to engage with the Centre?

All members of the ECSL are highly motivated in spreading the knowledge of this, at some extent, narrow field of studies. The aim is that of making this community grow and create new opportunities for all those interested in space law in Italy.

11. What is something you personally wish to achieve during your ECSL membership?

I whish to expand my knowledge about the many aspects of space activities, especially regarding space law, and meet other young people interested in space law to exchange views and perspectives.

12. Who do you want us to interview next?

Another young ECSL member.