Andreas Schwarz Joins Expert Advisory Group of SETI Institute’s Discovery and Futures Lab

Andreas Schwarz, Head of the International Risk, Crisis, and Science Communication Research Group (iRisCS-Com) at Technische Universität Ilmenau, has been invited to join the Expert Advisory Group of the newly established Discovery and Futures Lab at the SETI Institute.

Launched in April 2026, the Discovery and Futures Lab brings together leading experts from astrobiology, social sciences, ethics, law, futures studies, and communication research to explore the scientific, societal, and philosophical implications of discovering life beyond Earth. The initiative seeks to advance understanding of how such discoveries may unfold, how they should be communicated, and how societies around the world might respond.

As a member of the lab’s Expert Advisory Group, Schwarz will contribute his expertise in risk, crisis, and science communication to help shape research and practice related to communicating the scientific search for extraterrestrial life, as well as the potential societal impacts of future discoveries.

“The discovery of life beyond Earth would be one of humanity’s most transformative moments,” Schwarz said. “Effective, responsible, and evidence-based communication will be essential for helping societies understand evolving scientific findings and navigate their broader implications.”

In addition to his new role with the Discovery and Futures Lab, Schwarz serves as a member of the NASA DARES Taskforce 2 and the SETI Post-Detection Hub, coordinated by the University of St Andrews.

The Discovery and Futures Lab operates within the SETI Institute’s Carl Sagan Center for Research (Mountain View, California) and aims to strengthen global preparedness for one of the most significant scientific discoveries in human history. The lab’s co-directors are Dr. Lucian Walkowicz (astronomer and artist) and Dr. Chelsea Haramia (philosopher and ethicist). The SETI Institute is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary research and education organization whose mission is to lead humanity’s quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the Universe and to share that knowledge with the world.

More information: https://www.seti.org/projects/discovery-and-futures-lab/