Career Insights with Canadian Space Agency's Senior Policy Analyst, Sarah Parker
The Space Policy Pioneers Podcast
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Show Notes
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Space Policy Pioneers Podcast, host Andy Williams speaks with Sarah Parker, Senior Policy Analyst for the Canadian Space Agency. The discussion revolves around Sarah's career trajectory, which began in the defense sector and led to her current space policy role. Sarah shares her insights on the evolving space sector, the learnings from her diverse educational background, the importance of international partnerships, and the crucial skills needed for a successful career in space policy. The discussion also highlights some emerging challenges in the field and future opportunities for space policy enthusiasts.
Bio: Sarah joined the Canadian Federal Government as a Policy Advisor in 2009. She spent over a decade with National Defence, where she advanced a range of strategic defence initiatives, and specialized in space security and norm-building efforts in the space domain. Sarah held a number of positions across the Defence Team, including as Deputy Policy Advisor to Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command, Executive Assistant to the Assistant Deputy Minister of Policy, and Deputy Director Space Strategy and Plans within DG Space (now 3 Canadian Space Division). Sarah joined the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in 2022, where she works as a Senior Policy Analyst on the International and Regulatory Affairs Team and is the lead for the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS). Sarah is a graduate of Oxford University (MSt, Diplomatic Studies with Distinction), York University (MA, Political Science) and completed her undergraduate degree at Brock University (BA, Political Science and History). She enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring new cultures through travel. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-pacey-parker/
Disclaimer: All guests are talking in their personal capacity and are not representing any official position of their former or current employing organization.
Episode guide
01:16 Interview with Sarah Parker: Journey into Space Policy
01:32 Transitioning from Defense to Space Policy
03:33 Career Progression in Space Policy
05:11 Acquiring Knowledge and Skills for Space Policy
06:16 Understanding the Role of Civil Service in Space Policy
07:09 Balancing Knowledge in Space Sector and Government Roles
08:22 Pursuing Further Education in Diplomacy
11:34 Exploring Opportunities in the Canadian Space Agency
16:57 The Importance of Diverse Educational Backgrounds in Space Policy
19:30 Future Opportunities in the Space Sector
21:45 Advice for Aspiring Space Policy Enthusiasts
23:29 The Big Picture: A Vision for the Future and the Artemis Generation
Links and Resources
Canadian Space Agency: https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/
University of Oxford: https://www.ox.ac.uk/
Oxford Diplomatic Studies: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/mst-diplomatic-studies
York University: https://www.yorku.ca/
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/copuos/index.html