Astrosociology in the Classroom

The Astrosociology in the Classroom program is aimed at elementary, middle and high school, and college/university students. The goal of the program is to expose students to the social sciences and, in particular astrosociology, in order to understand the two-way relationship between society and outer space. The program is designed to help students investigate social science theories and learn critical thinking skills through case studies, readings, activities, and other projects in order to learn about astrosocial phenomena and their impacts on humanity. In addition, grade school teachers and college/university faculty can utilize suggested syllabi, online lectures, and astrosociological based reading materials. At some point, the program will include the Astrosociology Reader, a multi-chapter textbook, which will cover a variety of subjects, from law, policy, and economics to planetary defense, human factors, medical astrosociology, exo-astrosociology, and other related subfields to astrosociological investigation for a fee.

Journal of Astrosociology (JOA)

The Journal of Astrosociology is the first peer-reviewed online academic journal dedicated to astrosociology. It is published approximately once a year, and includes an editorial board of distinguished scholars, researchers, and experts from various space-related and social science fields and disciplines. The journal offers dedicated publication space for students, as well as a section on book reviews and updates on astrosociological events, symposia, and conferences. Topics supported in the journal include, but not limited to, astrosociological theory, law, policy, education, human factors, applied astrosociology, economics, history, planetary defense, SETI and astrobiology, exo-astrosociology,, applied astrosociology, and technology and its spin-offs. ARI will provide initial issues of the journal for free on its website.

Astrosociological Insights, ARI's Newsletter Online

Astrosociological Insights is the dedicated newsletter for the Astrosociological Research Institute and is published bi-annually. The newsletter provides anyone in the astrosociological and space-related communities to publish their thoughts and comments on topics within the theme of the newsletter, or other contemporary and historical topics of high quality. To date, the newsletter has explored astrosociology, astrosocial impacts of asteroids, astrobiology, Star Trek, space art, and issues associated with education in space related fields among other topics. The newsletter also updates members (in the future), supporters, and followers of ARI on our various activities and events. ARI provides this newsletter free of charge and actively seeks contributions from professionals, students, and invited contributors.

Publication of Readings in Astrosociology, ARI's Forthcoming Reader Textbook

To promote and provide educational materials to the public, ARI will publish a multi-chapter textbook titled Launching Astrosociology. The astrosociology reader covers a variety of subjects, from law, policy, and economics to planetary defense, human factors, medical astrosociology, SETI, astrobiology, and other related fields related to astrosociological investigation. Members of ARI will receive a discount on the purchase of this textbook.

Private Astronaut Study (A Potential Research Project)

The Private Astronaut Study is potentially the first institutional study conducted by ARI. The study will survey the various private astronaut companies and projects as well as commercial space companies to investigate how the companies and institutes that engage in sending private person into outer space function, their goals and objectives, how they train their volunteers/employees, and the participants motivations for going into outer space. ARI will conduct interviews with those persons who seek to be some of the first spaceflight participants/private astronauts. ARI will publish their findings in late 2014.

Student Essay Competition with Scholarship

ARI will offer one $500 scholarship to a student who writes on an astrosociological subject that will change from year to year. The winning student essay will be published in the Journal of Astrosociology. The scholarship may only be used to cover educational expenses. The Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Astrosociology reserves the right to withhold the scholarship funds if no submission meets the criteria set forth by the Editorial Board. This program is on hold.

Astrosociology Education Online

To support ARI activities and provide public benefit, ARI will potentially offer an online education program. Online lectures will teach interested persons about ARI and astrosociology. Lectures are free for members of ARI and a few selected lectures will be available for the public through YouTube. Astrosociology Education Online will also include an introductory online workshop that will introduce the student to fundamental astrosociological concepts. Those who complete the workshop satisfactorily will receive a certificate. The workshop will be available for a fee. This program is on hold.

Astrosociology in Action Program

The Astrosociology in Action program supports the public identification of astrosocial phenomena through news reports that focus on the social, cultural, and behavioral patterns related to outer space. ARI’s social media presence will allow anyone to identify astrosocial phenomena in their community, their state, or anywhere such phenomena can be observed. A discussion board will be set-up for anyone to post their observation(s) of astrosocial phenomena and facilitate dialogue with the public.

Space and Society Program

This program emphasizes the connections between outer space and societies, and their cultures, as pointed out by ARI employees and representatives via social media, publications, conference presentations and papers, and other avenues. It is a sister program of the Astrosociology in Action Program. In this program, astrosociologists assist students, the public, and other interested parties to understand how astrosociology is relevant to their everyday lives.

ARI Research Affiliate Program (RAP)

ARI will provide support to students and scholars to conduct astrosociological research. ARI plans to offer internships for students, resources for faculty on sabbaticals, and other types of assistance for all scholars interested in assisting ARI to further the development of astrosociology. Project topics will focus on the investigation of astrosocial phenomena generated by the one-way astrosocial relationships between earth and outer space or between outer space and earth, as well as the two-way astrosocial relationship between earth and outer space. Research affiliates will have exclusive license to publish in the Journal of Astrosociology or may freely publish in an academic journal or with a publisher of their choice, assisting ARI to expose astrosociology to new audiences. Please send your inquiries regarding the program to chearsey@astrosociology.org.

Astrosociology Conferences/Symposia

Establishing an annual dedicated astrosociology conference is a major goal of ARI. It will serve ARI’s mission by bringing together students, social science professionals, and physical and natural space scientists interested in the human dimension of space exploration and settlement. The collaboration between the two major branches of science represents a significant objective of the conference. Please check the ARI website for future updates.

In the interim, ARI supports the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics yearly Space conferences and Science and Technology Forums. Every year AIAA conferences host sessions dedicated to astrosociological topics usually chaired by Jim Pass and Christopher Hearsey. For more information, please check out the AIAA events tab at http://www.aiaa.org/EventsLanding.aspx?id=79&taxIDs=434.