"Meet ECSL Members" Series: Tomas Hrozensky, Co-Founder of the Slovak Space Policy Association
Meet ECSL member Tomas Hrozensky, PhD-student, Chair and co-founder of the Slovak Space Policy Association and National Point of Contact to the ECSL and Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) for Slovakia. As you can see, Tomas is involved in a range of activities and a great example of how to take initiative and create your own path in the space law and policy sector.
What is your name, where do you come from and where do you work/study?
My name is Tomas Hrozensky, I am from Slovakia and currently finishing my PhD. program in International Relations (with focus on space policy / politics / law / governance) at the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia.
Besides that, I am engaged in work of the Slovak Space Policy Association (SSPA), which is also the National Point of Contact for ECSL in Slovakia. In addition, I take part in activities of the SGAC. During the spring months of the year I usually also deal with the work of UNCOPUOS, since I cooperate with my country's Foreign Ministry and Permanent Mission to UN in Vienna on this and related issues.
Describe your work/study place and a normal day at work:
It is quite difficult to describe a regular day, since that varies from day-today basis depending on my current schedule. If I look at a day when I am in the office at my Faculty, it usually includes some administrative work or other regular responsibilities, during the semesters I may have teaching duties and at other times I am free to engage in research-related activities. I have been travelling (PhD.-related) quite often during past months, that can shake up the day-to-day routine, if I am dealing with other responsibilities, such as SGAC or SSPA-related, that can change how the day unfolds as well.
What is your favourite thing about the work you do?
Versatility, flexibility and opportunity to stay involved in international environment. Pursuing a PhD. program allowed me to participate in international research projects (such as the Space Security Index), get involved with the work of UNCOPUOS, take part at policy developing process on national level and spend 6 months at a great academic institution in the United States through a Fulbright scholarship. Furthermore, having both academic and NGO affiliations at the moment provides me with useful opportunities to approach certain issues within space sector.
Is there a current issue relating to space law and/or policy which you are particularly fascinated by, and why?
For several years I have been dealing primarily with space governance, on both national and international levels, so I would go with this. Being a political scientist by education, it became naturally appealing to me over the course of my university studies, and taking into account recent developments within global space governance, it continues to remain a vivid and lively issue.
How did you first get involved with the ECSL?
In 2014, when I discovered the Summer Course on Space Law and Policy and applied for participation.
What has been the ECSL activity that has influenced you the most so far, and why?
Serving as an National Point of Contact for ECSL in Slovakia, through the SSPA, which I am currently chairing. It is allowing me and my colleagues to benefit from this position in our own careers and at the same time provides us with motivation and opportunities to bring the benefits of being involved with ECSL to other members of the Slovak space community.
When you finish your PhD what are you doing next? And what would you like to do in the future?
That is a tough question for every PhD. student, I guess. I have not yet decided about my future job after the PhD. program, which is due to be completed in a few months. I will be considering several different factors in my decision, it is still rather too early for me to be sure about what will be next. I enjoy research-related work, analyses, strategies or policies. I hope to stay involved within the space sector, preferably in my home country. Hopefully it will be possible for me. If not, I will look elsewhere. The background in political science with a focus on international relations and security studies is offering me various career paths. Nevertheless, being engaged in the Slovak Space Policy Association and Space Generation Advisory Council, (although these are just voluntary activities), will keep me involved with space in foreseeable future for sure.
- If you wish to learn more about the Slovak Space Policy Association, check out: http://www.vesmirnapolitika.sk/en/
Endnote:
The idea behind this series is to showcase the diverse range of opportunities within space law and policy, inspire others to enter into the field and encourage interaction between our members. The opinions expressed in this article is that of the subject(s) interviewed, and not the ECSL or ESA.
If you wish to be part of this series, or nominate another ECSL member/institution – please contact the ECSL Executive Secretary Ms. Mari Eldholm. mari.amanda.eldholm@esa.int
