Call for Papers: Governing Planetary Defense

Swinburne University of Technology, Masaryk University, and the Institute of International Relations in Prague (Czech ALF network member) invite researchers and experts in political science, ethics, philosophy, and law to contribute to three special issues dedicated to the governance of planetary defense.

The initiative focuses on the political, ethical, and legal dimensions of how the international community should prepare for and respond to the threat of an asteroid impact. While advances in asteroid deflection technologies are accelerating, international cooperation and governance frameworks remain underdeveloped. These special issues aim to generate critical insights for building a legitimate and effective global governance structure.

Selected contributions will inform future policy proposals and be presented at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS). This is a unique opportunity to shape the multidisciplinary debate on planetary defense at the intersection of science, politics, and global security.

Key Dates

• Abstract submission (rolling, preferred deadline): October 2025

• Workshop with authors, Vienna: February 2026

• Final papers submission: Autumn 2026

• Policy proposals development: Spring 2027

• Presentation at UN COPUOS: June 2027

• Special issues publication: Summer 2027

More information and submission guidelines