Leiden University: IIASL Promotes Real-World Learning with Students in 2 Thesis Labs

Circulaerospace

As part of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities (LDE) Centre for Sustainability, students are tasked to orientate their individual master thesis around a real-world challenge through the Interdisciplinary Thesis Lab. This is a collaborative approach, whereby students from different fields from the 3 LDE universities come together to produce a common, interdisciplinary result with real impact. The team of students work on a sustainability challenge set by an external organisation (a company or governmental organisation). Core to this is meeting professional and academic experts, following workshops and lectures, and joining excursions. This allows students to learn from other students, confront ideas and exchange methodologies. In addition to writing the thesis, students also created an interdisciplinary result document.

This year, Marcelo Talia who is a student of the Adv. LL.M. in Air and Space Law, successfully completed the Circulaerospace Thesis Lab, which is a collaborative effort with Airbus Netherlands and Airbus Central Research & Technology. This Thesis Lab focused on all aspects around future technologies, digital innovations and business models for a decarbonised aviation scenario. The entire product life cycle was considered. In the Thesis Lab, students examined how bio-based materials can be used in aircraft components and what consequences these materials could have for the supply chain, both in production and end-of-use of the parts. Furthermore, students examined how digital technologies can contribute to the development of new materials, production techniques and supply chain monitoring. An interdisciplinary result document was prepared that summarises the interdisciplinary result of the lab, i.e. the main findings of the students’ research and the links between these findings: .

Next year’s industry partners will be NLR, AETHOS & Collins Aerospace. The International Institute of Air & Space Law looks forward to continuing this collaboration.

Space

As part of the LDE Space for Science and Society cooperation, students from Leiden University and the Erasmus School of Business and Management participated in the LDE Space Thesis Lab that explored the use of satellite data as evidence in international humanitarian law and human rights. Within the framework of the Thesis Lab, students dedicate their thesis or course assignments to examining the topic from the perspective of their discipline.

Solène Flambeaux, Sindhu Shankar and Aleksandra Spyra, students of the Adv. LL.M. in Air and Space Law, were part of the Thesis Lab, focusing their thesis on issues pertaining to international, regional, and national space law. In particular, they address the responsibility of States and international organisations for the use of data from their satellites, the use of satellite data in the context of the peaceful uses of outer space, and methods to optimise the use of satellite data as evidence. Throughout the Thesis Lab, students attended lectures by academics from the LDE Universities and engaged with various experts from industry and international organisations. They also participated in professional visits to the International Criminal Court, the EU Agency for the Space Programme, and the European Space Agency, gaining practical insight into the field.

A white paper summarising the main outcomes of the Thesis Lab is currently being prepared and will be shared soon. Preliminary findings were presented during a seminar at Leiden University on 21 June, offering a glimpse into the significant research conducted by the students.