Justin Walsh

Dr. Walsh is a PhD holder and professor of art history, archaeology, and space studies at Chapman University. He also serves as a Distinguished Researcher Ad Astra at the University of Southern California, focusing on space habitats and space anthropology. He has a track record of work in various locations around the world, including the USA, Italy, Jordan, and even in low Earth orbit. Since 2015, he has been the co-PI of the International Space Station Archaeological Project, a pioneering initiative investigating the material culture of space habitats in collaboration with Dr. Alice Gorman. The International Space Station Archaeological Project began due to his frustration with the exclusion of individuals with backgrounds in social sciences, humanities, and arts from crewed space missions. He recognises the importance of these disciplines in understanding culture and society within the space environment. By studying the ISS, the project aims to demonstrate the relevance of these perspectives to the success of space missions. Despite facing financial and data access challenges, they take a creative approach to overcome these barriers, using non-traditional sources to analyse space culture. The goal is to show the space industry the importance of considering social sciences to achieve more effective and comprehensive solutions. In 2022, ISSAP conducted the first archaeological experiment in space, being recognised by the Archaeological Institute of America and the American Anthropological Association for their work. Dr. Walsh has also received scholarships, including a Rome Prize and a Fulbright, and was appointed a Distinguished Benjamin Meaker Visiting Professor at the University of Bristol in 2016.