A graduate of the Master 2 Droit du numérique, des médias et de la communication, Alexandre Chazelle is working on a thesis co-financed by the CNES on "The law of the moon and outer space at the time of the Artemis agreements" at the Institut du Droit de l'Espace, des Territoires, de la Culture et de la Communication (IDETCOM) of the Faculty of Law and Political Science and the Sirius Chair.
 

In the third year of his thesis, Alexandre Chazelle is analysing the link between the legal needs of space activities and the political ambitions of States. "The whole point of my research is to understand not so much space law as the Artemis agreements, which are a little-known legal object", he explains. These agreements can be described as mini-treaties. The doctoral student's aim is to demonstrate by analogy that they can be transposed to other sectors, such as defence, the environment and AI.

Headed by professors Lucien Rapp and Clémentine Bories, Alexandre Chazelle also has a contract with CNES. He therefore benefits from support and funding, which are real assets for his research. For example, the PhD student was able to take part in the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Baku in October 2023, an experience that enabled him to test his hypotheses with industrialists and space agencies. "Space law is very technical, so it's important to talk to engineers. We are doing fundamental research with the aim that it can quickly be used by industry", he explains.

Convinced of the importance of popularising science, the PhD student contributed to the creation of a video game at the first Scientific Game Jam in Toulouse, with a team comprising two developers, two graphic designers, a game designer and a composer. Designed in 48 hours and available free online, the game 'Bureaucratère' won the CNES 'Space' Grand Prize. It allows players to take on the role of the administrator of a lunar base, who is presented with a series of legal dilemmas. "At the end of the event, we had to explain the customary nature of the rules governing the fight against space debris to 8-year-olds! Science isn't just about the lab, it's also about people", he explains.
     

A doctoral student involved in associations and universities

This inquisitive young man is also a founding member of the Association of Young Researchers in Space Law (AJCDS). Set up a year ago, the association organises a number of events, including the conference "The conquest of space through law: trends and prospects" in February.

Alexandre Chazelle is a member of the Toulouse Capitole University Faculty Council (College B) and the Research Council (Discipline Section), and also reports to the Dean as a doctoral affairs advisor. He is heavily involved in university life. He is also involved in IDETCOM: "The laboratory gives doctoral students a place, and we are free to put forward ideas to improve collective life".
 

Career opportunities in the public and private sectors

Alexandre Chazelle is used to teaching students at UT Capitole, particularly those in the Master's in International and Comparative Law (MADIC) and the Master's in International and Comparative Law (MINTEC), and he would like to continue his career in teaching and research in our university and with the Sirius Chair. But the doctoral student is not closing the door on the private sector. Working as a legal consultant in an organisation such as CNES, EUSPA (EU Agency for the Space Programme) or ESA (European Space Agency) would also be a great opportunity.

A PhD is a launch pad for aiming much higher. Research gives you a capacity for autonomy and teaches you to tackle extremely complex issues on your own.