Constellations Lab

Aamina Azam (Research Intern Summer 2026)

I am a second-year Geography undergraduate at the University of Cambridge. My interests lie in geopolitics, environmental governance, and the ways power operates through narratives, representations, and material infrastructures. I am particularly interested in how global issues are communicated and contested, from media portrayals of conflict to the political and environmental implications of emerging technologies.

My current dissertation research examines Western media discourse surrounding conflict in the Middle East, drawing on critical geopolitics and visual analysis to explore how particular narratives are produced and circulated. More broadly, I am interested in environmental justice, resource governance, and the uneven geographies that underpin global systems of energy, extraction, and development.

This project is particularly interesting to me because it brings together many of the themes I am currently studying and researching. Questions surrounding critical resources, global supply chains, geopolitics, and technological futures connect closely with my interests in how power operates across different scales, from international governance to the material infrastructures that underpin everyday life. I am especially interested in exploring how emerging technologies are shaped not only by scientific innovation, but also by the political, environmental, and social contexts in which they develop.

Aamina Azam’s work in the Constellations Lab in 2026 is funded by the UKAEA’s FOSTER Placement Scheme.

Pallavi Negi (Research Intern Summer 2026)

I’m currently studying Physics with Astrophysics at the University of Leicester, where I have developed a strong passion for data analysis and research. I have particularly enjoyed working with data to identify theoretical patterns, draw scientific conclusions and evaluate complex datasets and problems.  

While my primary academic interests lie in astrophysics and space research, I am excited by this opportunity to apply my analytical skills in a different context. As a woman pursuing a career within the STEM field, I have become increasingly curious about the social factors that shape experiences within the space sector. I believe it is important for everyone entering this profession, regardless of their gender or identity, to be aware of both the progress that has been made already and the challenges that may still exist.  

Through this project, I hope to explore how evidence-based research can be used to get a deeper understanding of these issues and contribute to the discussions about creating a more inclusive and supportive scientific community.

Pallavi Negi’s work in the Constellations Lab in 2025 is funded by the University of Leicester’s SURE Scheme.

Jasmina Dave (Research intern Summer 2025)

(Text Written 2025) I’m Jasmina Dave, currently in my second year studying Politics and International Relations at Durham University. I’ve worked on NASA’s Two-Eyed Seeing project, focusing on Indigenous and African astronomy, and have also collaborated with the Scottish Government and Intercultural Youth Scotland to help develop the early stages of an exhibition on slavery, imperialism, and colonialism, aiming to challenge postcolonial narratives within the museum sector. My interests include visual storytelling, particularly through planetariums and interpretive modern art in galleries, as well as exploring creative approaches to public engagement, all of which are usually accompanied by a daily dose of herbal tea. I’m especially interested in this project because I’m passionate about transforming academic research into stories and experiences that resonate beyond our project.

Jasmina Dave’s work in the Constellations Lab in 2025 is funded by the UKAEA’s FOSTER Placement Scheme.

Dave’s poster “Beyond the Hype: Sustainable Promises, Fame, Security, and the Nuclear Fusion Utopia in Space” is available to view. We translated this research into a University of Leicester Institute of Policy Briefing, available online.

Zewelanji W Nalwamba (Research intern Summer 2025)

(Text Written 2025) I’m a second-year International Relations student at the University of Leicester with a strong interest in international security, feminism, and the politics of the Global South—particularly African politics. My academic work has explored topics such as the international dimensions of Patrice Lumumba’s assassination, and I’m currently working on a thesis examining the economic and political impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on the Global South.

Alongside my studies, I’m also a passionate artist. My work is deeply influenced by contemporary social issues such as racism and inequality, and I also create faith-based pieces that reflect my beliefs and values. Through my art, I aim to express both personal and political narratives. I’m excited to contribute to this project through a lens shaped by both political analysis and creative expression.

In addition, the opportunity to explore the intersection of space, nuclear geopolitics, and fusion technologies is incredibly exciting. This placement is a chance to deepen my understanding of fusion energy, space technologies, and how they relate to international politics and global regulation. I’m especially looking forward to learning from experts in the field and exploring the broader impact of these technologies on the world. This is a unique opportunity, and I’m eager to make the most of it.

Zewelanji W Nalwamba’s work in the Constellations Lab in 2025 is funded by the UKAEA’s FOSTER Placement Scheme.

Nalwamba’s poster “Geopolitics of Fusion: Mapping China’s Lithium and Infrastructure Pathways in the Global South for Nuclear Fusion and Space Technologies” is available to read. This work was translated into a University of Leicester Institute of Policy Briefing, available online

Freya Rickman (Research intern Summer 2025)

(Text Written 2025) I recently finished my degree at the University of Leicester on the Media, Society, and Culture BA programme; where I wrote my dissertation on the Representation of Men in UK Fashion Advertisements.

In the Constellations Lab I’ll be working on a project about gender-based and sexual harrasment and violence in the space sector, and its representation in media. I am particularly interested in this project because I am passionate about gender equality and using empirical data to drive change. Evidence-based insights are crucial for creating effective policies and fostering lasting differences in workplace environments. 

Freya Rickman’s work in the Constellations Lab in 2025 is funded by the University of Leicester’s SURE Scheme.

Rickman’s work “Harassment and the Scientific Space Community” was presented in person at the August 2025 SURE Summer Conference, and is being written up for publication.