Evan Dowell

Ph.D. Candidate, designated emphasis in Political Economy

I am fascinated with the complex technical and social ground work that enables the varying modes of exploiting the cosmos so ubiquitous in modern network societies. My research examines the uses of earth observation satellites and the ground stations that support them to explore the spatial and territorial dimensions underlying the expansion of civil and commercial space infrastructure amid the rising importance of private capital and global finance capital. I am particularly curious about how space infrastructure’s embeddedness in various social interactions plays a role in its spatial patterns, and how spatial agency in turn influences the intersections of actors, processes, and materials foundational to space infrastructure’s functioning. How do particular regions become critical nodes, perceived or otherwise, in networks of space infrastructure? And how do global circulations of capital shape and become shaped by the spatial patterns of space infrastructure’s spread across the globe?

Key to my research is the consideration of space infrastructure’s role in place-making and contours of various regional and national political economic environments.

I am grateful to have received support for my research from UC Berkeley and the Foreign Language and Area Studies program (FLAS). My research is conducted principally with Professors You-tien Hsing and Sharad Chari.

Prior to starting my doctoral research I was an Air Force officer working as an engineer/technical manager of various space systems. When I am not conducting my research, you can find me scuba diving, brewing beer, or at a local music venue.