"Meet ECSL Members" Series: João Marques de Azevedo, Researcher and Project Consultant at the NOVA School of Law

1.     Hi João, how have you been doing?

Hey! I’ve been doing great, always busy but excited to contribute to another ECSL initiative.

2.     Can you introduce yourself and your background?

I am a researcher, I’ve worked in projects dealing with topics such as development, education or migration, but my main field of interest is space law and currently, I develop my research in connection with NOVA’s Space Law Research Centre (SPARC). I am also a member of the Portuguese NPOC for the ECSL.

3.     What is your educational background and how has it led you to space law?

I graduated in Political Science and International Relations and I have a Master’s in International and European Law from the NOVA School of Law.

I decided to do a master’s in law because during my bachelor’s I was really interested in the issues of public international law and it proved to be the right decision as it was during the master’s I came in contact with this thing called the law of outer space!

4.     So, when did your fascination with space law start?

My fascination with space was always there, as a kid I always enjoyed watching space related movies and documentaries; especially since I discovered Star Trek (the Original Series), which only made me more interested in space exploration and spaceflight.

However, my first contact with space law was accidental.

I helped organising the MLMC in 2018 at NOVA and it was at this event I came to know more about the field.

During the award ceremony, Professor Armel Kerrest delivered a speech on future challenges for space law, and I remember thinking “ok, this is what I want to do!”

I applied to be in the ECSL Summer Course that same year, I came back and helped create SPARC. Two years later, I even interned at ESA; I really can’t complain about the journey so far.

5.     How would you describe your work as a researcher?

It’s hard to describe everything we do (since we do many different things), but I’ll try.

Besides the old process of reading, learning, writing papers, etc., the rest of my work could be understood as a form of raising awareness for space law as a field. In Portugal, it started developing only recently and SPARC has followed this since the beginning. We provide lectures and courses, which means I get to teach space law. I also have been invited to speak in conferences or even in podcasts, and I help coaching NOVA’s teams for the MLMC so, although there are times when I’m just drowning in paper, these aspects more than make up for it.

6.     For someone who also has a background in international relations, how does that knowledge help you with space law and policy research?

Studies in international affairs provide a solid foundation for approaching public international law because you already have an idea of how everything works. Sometimes classes in law are too focused on document analysis and the wider context is forgotten, so knowledge of IR brings this context back to the frame.  With space law the same reasoning applies, especially for developments at the multilateral level, since I already have knowledge on how the power structures and relations work.

7.     Do you have some thoughts on the influence that general political trends have on the emerging rules in space law?

Law and its content in general is a result of political discussions and processes (I can feel my ears burning with comments from some legal scholars on what I just said). Nonetheless, if we think about it, in both national or international arenas, political processes are the genesis of legal documentation, as we discuss laws in parliaments before approval and we negotiate treaties. The result is something which reflect these discussions, so the same goes for space law.

Current problems are discussed and, if possible, laws (or at least some guidelines, which can crystallise as customary law in the future for example) emerge to regulate the issue. Space debris, STM, exploitation of space resources, etc. are also discussed at the political level and the solutions with more support and political will behind them will be the ones adopted. I believe the Artemis Accords are an example of this process, political agreements which, in the future, can transform into legally binding rules (basically it is an attempt of “shaping up” law).

8.     Is there a specific area within space law or space policy that personally interests you the most?

I wrote my master’s dissertation on the principle of common heritage of humankind in the space law context. So in general, one of my specific interests is the discussion around the exploitation of space resources and possible legal solutions and models.

9.     What are you best experiences with the ECSL?

So far, all experiences with the ECSL have been ‘best experiences.’ Of course, the 2018 ECSL Summer Course was great, as it was my first learning experience in the area, but I also got to meet really interesting people, some of which are still my friends today.

Also, the first time I was invited to speak at an event abroad was the Young Lawyer’s Symposium in 2019, which is something I will never forget.

Since NOVA will be hosting the ECSL Summer Course next year, I’ll be looking forward to add that experience to the list.

10.   How have you been experiencing the growth of interest of space law and policy in your country?

Like I mentioned, SPARC has been there helping in this task of spreading awareness so we have been witnessing this growth first hand.

Our courses are successful and each year we have new students interested to learn about the field.  Developments at governmental level (our first law on the matter, the creation of the Portuguese Space Agency, etc.) are recent, which helps to build up excitement, but we still have a long way to go; space law is a field with great potential since it approaches issues that deal with the future of humankind – honestly, in the end, what is more exciting than space? After all, it IS the final frontier!

In academia, I would like to see the option of a specific SL&P subject being provided to students at least at the master’s level and afterwards even creating a specific Master’s in Space Law. In the meantime, we have been exploring ways of producing the first manual in Portugal which I believe would be really helpful.

11.   Is there anything in particular that you would like to see the ECSL do in the future?

For now, I think it’s great the ECSL has created an Instagram page, I think it’s really useful to engage the community, but in the future, maybe podcasts and video lectures, or just some small videos on specific topics or new trends. It is something of high maintenance, I am aware, but podcasts would be really good on both sides (as a way to boost the interest of newcomers & for the current community to keep up with developments in the field).

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

My first goal was to have the ECSL Summer Course being hosted at NOVA, which we will do in 2022. Another one was being a tutor during the course, which was an opportunity I had this year. Afterwards? Being a judge at the Manfred Lachs Moot and, probably further on, lecturing in the Summer Course, to complete a full circle.

13.   Who do you want us to interview next? How about a university professor?

I think it would be good to keep interviewing young scholars and professionals, but… since you suggested a professor (and since I mentioned one), I believe Professor Kerrest would provide very interesting and insightful views.

Find some more of João's involvement here (in Portuguese).