Doppelgängers³: Intergenerational Trauma and Decolonial Futures in Space Exploration

Join Dr. Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, Designer of Experiences, analogue astronaut and pluridisciplinary artist, as she shares the latest findings from her upcoming feature documentary Doppelgängers³ (June 2025) and discusses her paper on intergenerational trauma in relation to space exploration in conversation with Jenn Nkiru.

In this event, Nelly will discuss the need for radical imagination and pluralistic futures as well as her work around demilitarisation and decolonisation of outerspace. Recent research in neuropsychology suggests that collective trauma has intergenerational mental and psychological effects, implying that diasporas worldwide may experience similar impacts. This conversation will explore creative and innovative approaches to decolonial practices by utilising neuropsychology and epigenetics as a framework for critical research, addressing the significant obstacles to contemporary space exploration visions and unveiling new avenues for public involvement. The event will consider the role of creative practices, architecture and others, in designing space missions.

Nelly will be joined in conversation by artist and director Jenn Nkiru.

Jenn Nkiru is a London-born artist and director whose practice spans film, music, and contemporary art, exploring time, rhythm, and the poetics of Blackness. Her works have been exhibited at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Whitney Museum of American Art, MoMA, Tate Modern, ICA London, and the Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane. A 2019 Whitney Biennial artist, her work is also held in MoMA’s archives. In 2025, she launches her imprint, MOTHERSHIP, alongside the international premiere of THE GREAT NORTH, her feature documentary debut—continuing her inquiry into form, process, and the radical possibilities of the moving image.

Dr. Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian PhD (she/they) creates multi-dimensional transdisciplinary projects at the intersection of events, film, science, technology, theatre, politics, music and design with community engagement and accessibility at their core. She is a senior fellow of the Hannah Arendt Center, which supports freedom of thinking and human rights across the globe and in 2017 she founded The University of the Underground, a tuition free university that supports free, pluralistic and transnational education from the basement of nightclubs, which includes board members and activists like Prof. Noam Chomsky, Pussy Riot and Prof. Arjun Appadurai.

Since 2013, Nelly is the Vice Chair of the IAF (International Astronautical Federation) Technical Committee on the Cultural Utilization of Space (ITACCUS), a member of the IAF Space Education and Outreach Committee (SEOC), and a member of the IAA (International Academy of Astronautics) Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) permanent committee since 2013. In 2012, she established the International Space Orchestra - the world first orchestra of NASA scientists. Her artwork has been exhibited at the National Museum of China, MOMA, V&A, the MET and other leading art institutions.

Nelly is the author and director of five feature-length documentaries investigating topics such as the origins of knowledge and totalitarian regimes but also the next phase of humanity in space, her films work to platform diasporic and queer ecofeminist visions: The International Space Orchestra , 2013; Disaster Playground, 2015; I am (not) a monster, 2019; Tour de moon (2023) and Doppelgängers³ (2024).

Image: Doppelgängers³ by Nick Ballón

Please get in touch to let us know of any access requirements that you might have and how we can best accommodate these. If you are unable to attend physically but would like to participate in the event remotely please email publicprogramme@aaschool.ac.uk