UNH Launches International Space Partnership with Space Hub Yorkshire
UNH’s long expertise in space science extends to the edge of our solar system and beyond —and now, across the Atlantic to the United Kingdom.
From left: Jennifer Miksis-Olds, UNH interim vice president for research and innovation, West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin, and Space Hub Yorkshire founder Glann McCauley from the University of Leeds at the signing of the partnership agreement between UNH and Space Hub Yorkshire.
Last month, UNH signed a partnership agreement with Space Hub Yorkshire to strengthen collaboration in space research, innovation, and skills development. The agreement, called a concord, establishes a framework for developing joint initiatives to benefit academia and industry and will help to forge stronger links between their respective geographies to drive investment and export opportunities between them.
The partnership will:
- Explore opportunities to develop collaborative research projects
- Organize joint academic events including conferences, seminars and workshops
- Facilitate exchanges of researchers and students
- Work together to promote STEM education and develop future-focused skills programs.
“UNH has a deep and growing connection to space and aerospace research and industry here in New Hampshire and New England,” says Jennifer Miksis-Olds, UNH vice president for research and innovation, who signed the agreement. “I look forward to extending opportunities for our students, researchers, and industry partners with Space Hub Yorkshire.”
A Concord Born in Concord
The formal signing ceremony took place July 23, 2026, during the Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K., a leading aerospace industry event that UNH attended, along with New Hampshire’s Department of Business and Economic Affairs and the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defence Coalition.
But the relationship between UNH and Space Hub Yorkshire (SHY) began several years ago during a trade mission visit from the mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, to Concord, New Hampshire.
“This new partnership reflects our ambitions to ensure that businesses, universities and students across West Yorkshire have access to the skills, opportunities and support they need to thrive,” Brabin says.
“International collaboration is essential to advancing innovation, strengthening our economy, and preparing the workforce for the opportunities of tomorrow,” says State of New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Lucy Lange. “The partnership between UNH and Space Hub Yorkshire reflects an important commitment by the business community and higher education to prepare the workforce for high-demand careers and create lasting connections that strengthen the investment, entrepreneurship, and talent pipeline driving economic growth.”
Representatives from SHY will come to Durham this fall for the Northeast Space, Technology, Trade, and Research (STTAR) Expo at UNH. The Oct. 28–29 event, presented by UNH, N.H. Business and Economic Affairs, and the N.H. Aerospace and Defense Coalition, is the region’s premier aerospace gathering, bringing together brings together industry leaders, researchers, government agencies, manufacturers, startups, investors, educators, and workforce partners to explore the technologies shaping the future of space and aerospace innovation.