Dr Julia Balm
Research Associate at the Freeman Air and Space Institute
Biography
Julia Balm is a Research Associate at the Freeman Air and Space Institute in the School of Security Studies, King’s College London.
She researches contemporary space power with a particular focus on the needs and motivations of current and emerging space powers. She held the first fully-funded FASI studentship from 2020-2023 for a thesis building a theoretical framework for the New Space Age. The result of this research project is a space power theory that utilizes interdisciplinary methods. Julia has advocated for an interdisciplinary approach to the space domain, working across the House of Lords, Ministry of Defence, Secretary of State's Office for Net Assessments and Challenge, and the Defence Academy to deliver research on cross sector strategy and pan-governmental approaches to security challenges.
Julia is a Junior Non-Resident Associate Fellow in the NATO Defence College. She also teaches officer courses on air and space power at the Joint Services Command and Staff College for the Royal Air Force.
Julia holds a PhD in space strategy and an MA in Non-Proliferation and International Security from King’s College London as well as an Honours BA from the University of Toronto.
Research Interests
- Space Security
- Space Strategy
- Deterrence
- Nuclear Proliferation and Non-Proliferation
- New Space Age
- Emerging Technology
- Great Power Competition
Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/nuclearbalm.bsky.social
Recent Publications
- War in Ukraine: One Year On, February 2023: SPACE AND CYBER DIMENSIONS IN RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE, JULIA C. BALM AND EVA-NOUR REPUSSARD https://www.kcl.ac.uk/warstudies/assets/war-in-ukraine-one-year-on.pdf
- The IR's first year: One giant leap for UK space power first year: One giant leap for UK space power https://www.kcl.ac.uk/the-irs-first-year-one-giant-leap-for-uk-space-power
- RUSI: Evaluating the UK’s Defence Space Strategy https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/rusi-defence-systems/evaluating-uks-defence-space-strategy
- Deciphering the National Space Strategy: Cloudy with a chance of cohesion https://www.kcl.ac.uk/freeman-air-and-space-institute-3
- The important role of space in modern-day warfare https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/the-important-role-of-space-in-modern-day-warfar
Research
Freeman Air and Space Institute
Freeman Air & Space provides independent, original knowledge and analysis of air and space power issues.
News
UK's Space Architecture: Evaluating Dependencies and Allied Support in 2030
The Freeman Air and Space Institute (FASI) hosted the inaugural ‘UK’s Space Architecture’ wargame on Tuesday 29th October 2024.
Collaboration, innovation and integration: Freeman Institute attends DSEI 2023
In September, members of the Freeman Air and Space Institute (FASI) attended the biennial Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event.
The important role of space in modern-day warfare
The invasion of Ukraine has shown how new technologies are now used alongside more traditional means of waging war. This new podcast episode explores how...
The risks and benefits of emerging technologies in the space power domain: Space Situational Awareness Warfare and Mediating Space Security
The Freeman Air and Space Institute publish two papers on space which look at the way space and satellites globally connect the world in very distinct – and...
Events
Panel discussion: Women in Diplomacy & Security
Celebrate International Women’s Day with the Centre for Science & Security Studies.
Please note: this event has passed.
Debating the Future of War: A Symposium
War Studies scholars will discuss the impact of the war in Ukraine on the broader social phenomenon of war and more.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Space Dependence: a need for better communication
Space is one of the UK's Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sectors. During a time when there's a cost of living crisis, prioritizing investment in space...
The strategic edge of sovereign space launch
Why is the UK's space launch important, and how does it impact national security and strategy?
Deciphering the National Space Strategy: Cloudy with a chance of cohesion
Does the UK National Space Strategy enable the development of a 'meaningful approach' to space for the UK?
Research
Freeman Air and Space Institute
Freeman Air & Space provides independent, original knowledge and analysis of air and space power issues.
News
UK's Space Architecture: Evaluating Dependencies and Allied Support in 2030
The Freeman Air and Space Institute (FASI) hosted the inaugural ‘UK’s Space Architecture’ wargame on Tuesday 29th October 2024.
Collaboration, innovation and integration: Freeman Institute attends DSEI 2023
In September, members of the Freeman Air and Space Institute (FASI) attended the biennial Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event.
The important role of space in modern-day warfare
The invasion of Ukraine has shown how new technologies are now used alongside more traditional means of waging war. This new podcast episode explores how...
The risks and benefits of emerging technologies in the space power domain: Space Situational Awareness Warfare and Mediating Space Security
The Freeman Air and Space Institute publish two papers on space which look at the way space and satellites globally connect the world in very distinct – and...
Events
Panel discussion: Women in Diplomacy & Security
Celebrate International Women’s Day with the Centre for Science & Security Studies.
Please note: this event has passed.
Debating the Future of War: A Symposium
War Studies scholars will discuss the impact of the war in Ukraine on the broader social phenomenon of war and more.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Space Dependence: a need for better communication
Space is one of the UK's Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sectors. During a time when there's a cost of living crisis, prioritizing investment in space...
The strategic edge of sovereign space launch
Why is the UK's space launch important, and how does it impact national security and strategy?
Deciphering the National Space Strategy: Cloudy with a chance of cohesion
Does the UK National Space Strategy enable the development of a 'meaningful approach' to space for the UK?