Practical
Wednesday, 29 April, 2026
- 20:00 until 22:00
Pilar
Triomflaan, VUB (Entrance 6)
1050 Brussels
Triomflaan, VUB (Entrance 6)
1050 Brussels
Tickets are pay-what-you-can: €3 / €7 (suggested price) / €10. Choose the price that fits your budget. If a lower ticket helps you join, go for it. And if you’re able to pay a bit more, you’ll help someone else attend for less. Ticketlink soon available.
Humanity is moving into space faster and further than ever before. Satellite networks, mining missions, lunar bases, and plans to colonise Mars are no longer science fiction but are already shaping our future. Yet as humanity expands its reach, a crucial question arises: are we repeating our ecological mistakes on a cosmic scale?
Astro-environmentalism, or space environmentalism, is an ecological perspective that reaches beyond planet Earth. Rather than viewing space as an empty frontier open to unchecked exploitation, it considers the cosmos a shared ecosystem that demands care, responsibility and long-term sustainability.
One visible expression of this is space debris. Millions of objects, from flecks of paint to fragments of inactive satellites, now orbit the Earth. They not only endanger space missions, but can also damage satellites – impacting services we rely on, from telecommunications to GPS. As orbits grow more crowded, and extraterrestrial mining and settlement move from ambition to reality, what choices do we make? This evening reflects on strategies to ensure we don’t export the same extractive and polluting practices that have harmed Earth’s ecosystems into space.
Programme
18:00-20:00: The Foragers exhibition is open
20:00: Welcome and introduction
20:10: Keynote by Steven George (European Space Agency)
20u35: Astrophysicist Katrien Kolenberg (VUB) in conversation with Steven George
21u00 - 22:00: Open conversation with Katrien Kolenberg, Steven George and the audience, moderated by Jana Kerremans. A few invited audience members open with a prepared question on stage, then the floor opens to everyone. With contributions from visual artist Soukaïna Aziz El Idrissi and researcher Jeanne Longlune (VUB).
Tickets
Tickets are pay-what-you-can: €3 / €7 (suggested price) / €10. Choose the price that fits your budget. If a lower ticket helps you join, go for it. And if you’re able to pay a bit more, you’ll help someone else attend for less. Ticketlink soon available.
Bios
Katrien Kolenberg is an astrophysicist and professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the University of Antwerp and KU Leuven. Her research focuses on stars and stellar vibrations, but her work extends far beyond traditional astronomy. As a scientist, science communicator, and artist, she explores humanity’s connection to space through multisensory approaches, including sound, visuals, and embodied experiences, while engaging with the ethical, ecological, and societal dimensions of humanity’s expanding presence in space.
Katrien is actively involved in international initiatives on inclusive space science, sustainable astronomy, and dark-sky protection, including projects in Morocco and across Africa. She advocates a long-term, care-based approach to space exploration (and communication), with environmental responsibility and ethical reflection at its core.
Steven George is an Earth Observation Technology & Systems Engineer at the European Space Agency (ESA), contributing to the design and development of future Earth Observation missions. He is particularly motivated by bridging the Earth Observation community with the social sciences and strengthening multilateral collaboration to ensure that the long-term evolution of Earth monitoring serves responsible stewardship of the planet. Beyond his professional role, his perspective has been shaped by activism, including participation in UN climate summits and public speaking engagements. He advocates for a safe and just future where we work with nature rather than against it.
Jana Kerremans is a passionate presenter and panel host with expertise in literature, cultural policy, arts, philosophy, museology, social history, sustainable tourism, urbanism, feminism, LGBTQI+, and equal opportunities. As a freelance presenter, she works for various renowned organizations and events, including FAAR, Theater aan Zee, Nacht van de Vrijdenker, Passa Porta Festival, FTI And&, BOZAR Talks & debates, Brainwash Festival Amsterdam, Hannah Arendt Institute, and others.
Part of The Foragers
The Foragers: Engagements Beyond The Human is an interdisciplinary art and science project that reimagines foraging (the gathering of edible or useful materials in one’s immediate surroundings) as a creative and ecological practice. Between October 2025 and December 2027, a series of activities invites you to rediscover your connection with the environment, not only in nature but also in unexpected places across the city and its edges.
The series is co-curated by artistic researcher Gosie Vervloessem, historian Benoît Henriet (VUB) and VUB Crosstalks, and supported by ERC FORAGENCY and the Chair Casterman-Hamers: History and Philosophy of Sciences. This event is organised in collaboration with ESA, Moussem and Pilar.
The world needs you
This initiative is part of VUB's public programme, a programme for everyone who believes that scientific knowledge, critical thinking and dialogue are an important first step to create impact in the world.
As an Urban Engaged University, VUB aims to be a driver of change in the world. With our academic edcuational programmes and innovative research, we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and to making a difference locally and globally.