"Meet ECSL Members" Series: Victoria Schebek, Space Law and Policy Expert (Austria)

1- Hi Victoria, how are you doing? How has it been for you since the covid-19 outbreak?
I am doing fine despite the global pandemic. I have mostly been working from home since March 2020, but got quite used to it. I just really miss travelling and meeting my international friends and colleagues.

2- Can you briefly introduce yourself in a few words?
My name is Victoria Schebek. I work for the Department of Space Affairs within the Austrian Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology ( https://www.bmk.gv.at/en.html). My position can be described as space law and policy expert.

3- Please describe your educational background and career path?
I studied law at the University from Vienna where I came across space law for the very first time. Soon, I also learned about the European Centre for Space Law. I took part in the ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy in 2016, where I was elected as the ECSL Student Representative. Following my curiosity and interest in space, I also participated in the Space Studies Program (SSP) of the International Space University [hyperlink: https://www.isunet.edu/] in 2017. The SSP is an interdisciplinary programme involving lectures on various space-related fields such as space science, engineering, applications but also law, policy and management. I started my professional career with an internship at the Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations in New York, where I dealt with the first and fourth committee of the United Nations General Assembly – which include all aspects of space. After another internship at my current department, I was offered a permanent position.

4- How would you define space policy?
As a lawyer, I cannot give a straight answer to this question. Space Policy is about laying the foundation for a thriving space sector, with competitive companies, research institutions and innovative jobs. But space policy also contains the integration of space into different policy areas aiming at making our economies sustainable. Space policy happens on an international, European and national level. National space policy focusses on national priorities that are of course very closely linked to the European level and are also influenced by the international sphere. The European space policy deals with the burden of bringing together all European states. The international level is even more complex, as about 100 states try to come to a solution, which is not always easy.

5- What does your job consists in?
I am very broadly positioned in my job: Besides national and international space law – I am part of the Austrian delegation to UNCOPUOS – I also participate in several EU and ESA committees. At the EU level, my tasks include space research and taking part in the Council Space Working Party. In addition, I support our Minister in preparing for the regular meetings of the EU Competitiveness Council/Space.

6- Could you illustrate a challenging aspect of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is that I have to deal with many different topics - from space research to space law and political matters and even financial aspects. The great benefit is though that I am always up-to-date regarding the whole spectrum of space affairs.

7- Which committees do you take part in at ESA as part of the Austrian Delegation?
On the level of ESA, I am a delegate to the Administrative and Financial Committee (AFC), which deals with financial, legal, administrative and personnel matters. As it is one of the main committees of ESA, almost all information must pass through AFC before going to Council. Thus, it is a great way to get to know how ESA works. I sometimes also join the International Relations Committee as part of the Austrian delegation.

8- What is your relationship with the ECSL?
My relationship with ECSL started in 2016 when I participated in the ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy. I was overwhelmed by the spirit and opportunities offered, i.e. being with people that share the same passion and getting first-hand insight views from so many well-known space law and policy experts. As I mentioned before, at the end of the summer course I was elected as the ECSL Student Representative for one year. I am connected with the ECSL ever since. I regularly attend their events such as the Practitioners' Forum and Young Lawyers’ Symposium, and also participated in the first ECSL Executive Course on Space Law and Regulations.

9- Could you describe your experience as ECSL student representative?
During my time as ECSL Student Representative, I worked closely with the ECSL Executive Secretary (many thanks to Nicholas Puschman and Mari Eldholm for their support) and even organised my own event. In addition, I participated in the ECSL Board Meetings and presented my ideas there. I also stayed in touch with the former Student Representatives Maximilian Trautinger and Gina Petrovici (many thanks to them as well) to follow up on their ideas.

10- What is your best memory with the ECSL?
During my time as ECSL Student Representative I organised an event that was called “ECSL Insight Day”, which was meant to give lawyers and non-lawyers an idea about space law. The event took place right before the European Workshop of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC [hyperlink: https://spacegeneration.org/ ]), which happened to take place at the ESA premises that year. I was overwhelmed by the interest of especially non-lawyers.

11- What opportunities are available in Austria for our Austrian members interested in the field?
In Austria, the University of Graz and University of Vienna have a longstanding history in teaching space law and also other universities such as the University of Salzburg and Johannes Kepler University Linz are active in this regard. Besides, my Ministry supports the ECSL National Point of Contact (NPoC) in Austria as well as students to participate in ECSL courses. The NPoC will soon start with an annual essay competition and the prize is a trip to the ECSL Practitioners’ Forum and ECSL Young Lawyers’ Symposium as well as the International Astronautical Congress (if Covid allows the events to take place again). We also offer the opportunity to participate in the meetings of UNCOPUOS as part of the Austrian delegation. In addition, interested people between 18 and 35 can always get in touch with the SGAC National Point of Contact in Austria. Please feel free to contact me for further information (LinkedIn: Victoria Schebek) or visit our website www.austria-in-space.at.

12- What piece of advice could you give to young law and policy students interested in opportunities in the space sector?
Go to as many events as possible and create a network. The ECSL events are a great opportunity to meet space law and policy experts. Also, get in touch with your ECSL National Point of Contact and SGAC National Point of Contact, who can tell you about the opportunities in your country.

13- Who do you want us to interview next?
I would love to see more interviews of the next generation of space lawyers.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, Victoria. We hope to see you soon in person!

Interview by Chehineze Bouafia (ECSL/ESA)