![Tegan Harrison BSc, MA](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/378?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Overview
Tegan Watt Harrison is a full-time PhD research student in the School of Law and Politics, focusing on the United Nations' Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) agenda (1981-2023). Her thesis examines how this agenda addresses, negotiates, and constrains space warfare. Through her research, Tegan aims to critically reconstruct the formal processes that shape international diplomacy on space security, revealing the assumptions behind current practices.
In addition to her thesis work, her research interests include verifying on-orbit threats and applying Space Situational Awareness (SSA) to tackle these challenges. She also teaches across modules in Politics and International Relations and is currently a Fellowship Candidate.
As a co-convener of the Astropolitics EISA ECR Workshop 2024, Tegan is committed to fostering discussions and collaborations among PhD and Early Career Researchers in the field. Additionally, she serves on the committee of the Defence Research Network (DRN) as the Newsletter Editor, where she contributes to promoting research and facilitating communication among members.
Research
PhD thesis: Assemblages of Space War in the United Nations Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) agenda, 1981-2023.
The empirics of the thesis examine three core themes: Ballistic missiles and strategic defence; counterspace and thresholds of aggression; sustaining space and ASAT testing.
Her other research interests include verification challenges in PAROS, the history of verification proposals, and the use of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) for verifying on-orbit activities.
Teaching
PGR tutor at Cardiff University:
- International Politics in the Nuclear Age - third-year module.
- International Relations of the Cold War - second-year module
- International Security: Concepts and Issues - second-year module
- Introduction to Globalisation - first-year module
- Introduction to International Relations - first-year module
Fellowship candidate - TBC September 2025.
Biography
Co-convenor Astropolitics EISA ECR Workshop 2024.
Academic Background:
MA Security (2020-2021) Loughborough University.
BSc Sociology (2017-2020) Loughborough University.
Professional memberships
British International Studies Association (BISA)
European International Studies Association (EISA)
Academic positions
PGR Tutor, Politics and International Relations, Cardiff University (2022-present).
Committees and reviewing
Defence Research Network - committee member, 'newletter editor'.
Research themes
Specialisms
- Astropolitics
- Political geography
- Security