The Karman Project Marks Five Years with Oxford’s Space Initiative

The Karman Project Marks Five Years with Oxford’s Space Initiative

The Karman Project is proud to mark the fifth consecutive year of its collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Space Initiative through its flagship Smart Space MBA elective course at the Saïd Business School. This pioneering program brings together MBA students, Karman Fellows, and members of Oxford’s academic community for a week of interdisciplinary dialogue exploring the future of space and its impact on business, society, and global leadership.

Since 2020, this partnership has created a unique platform where emerging leaders from business, government, science, and the arts gather to debate the most critical questions shaping the future of the global space sector. Now in its fifth year, the Smart Space MBA elective continues to evolve in response to the fast-changing dynamics of space innovation and policy. From 28 July to 1 August 2025, participants will convene in Oxford for a program of curated seminars, scenario-planning workshops, and interdisciplinary debates examining key topics ranging from space sustainability and security to ethics, geopolitics, and emerging market frontiers.

This year’s program will welcome a new group of Karman Fellows and Pioneers alongside MBA students from Saïd Business School and graduate researchers from Oxford’s Space Initiative. The Karman Project’s selected delegates include Fellows from the current and previous Karman Fellowship programs, together with Karman Pioneers, top shortlisted candidates from recent Fellowship application cycles. In total, 10 distinguished members of the Karman community will join this year’s cohort of Oxford students, contributing their leadership experience and sector expertise to the week’s conversations.

Program highlights will include the prestigious Oxford Space Gala, where invited guests from across the global space ecosystem will come together for an evening of exchange and celebration. In addition, the Karman Delegation will join the Oxford Space Networking event to connect with leaders from the United Kingdom’s burgeoning space ecosystem. Beyond the formal program, participants will also enjoy a variety of enriching social experiences, including Oxford’s iconic punting tradition and a guided tour of the city’s historic landmarks.

As we celebrate this fifth edition, we look forward to continuing to build a trusted, future-facing forum for bold ideas, cross-sector leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration on the future of space and humanity.

About The Karman Project

‍The Karman Project strengthens trust, fosters independent dialogue and encourages cooperation between global leaders in business, technology, politics, science and the arts who want to positively impact space. The Karman Project is a nonprofit and independent foundation headquartered in Germany.

Annexure: The Karman Project’s 2025 Oxford Delegation

1. Alma Okpalefe, Executive Director, World Space Week Association 

2. Irene Benito, AI Policy Officer, NATO 

3. Melody Korman, Space Missions Manager, Rakia Mission

4. Muhammad Sharif, Director, ICESCO 

5. Newton Campbell, Co-founder, Heritage Space Food 

6. Halit Mirahmetoglu, Consultant 

7. Tuva Cihangir Atasever, Astronaut, Turkish Space Agency

8. Peter Kristof, Chief Innovation Officer, DATellite 

9. Dominykas Milasius, Co-founder, Delta Biosciences

10. Lukasz Wilczynski, President, European Space Foundation