Image above: “Brainstorming on Astrobiology” logo of ESA, https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/exoplanetsworkinggroup/esa-brainstorming-on-astrobiology#
Since when have there been organisations structurally engaged in astrobiology research in Europe? What research are they talking about? Which bodies play a leading role? Is this research field smaller than in countries like USA or China? And what are the bottlenecks in astrobiology research in Europe and how can they be addressed?
These kinds of questions are the subject of Malou Thiry’s master’s thesis. Through literature reviews and interviews with key figures, she searches for answers. We found this work very relevant as lovers of astrobiological research, and as Europeans. Below you can already find her infographic summarising the European workings. You can read the full thesis here to find out what else she found out and what advice she has for the future.
Malou Thiry graduated as a bioengineer from VUB and subsequently took the Master of Space Studies from UGent and KU Leuven.
